Honda 0 Series Saloon: Everything you need to know
Honda will begin its onslaught of seven new electric cars with a saloon that will deliver around 482bhp and a range of more than 300 miles when it arrives in 2026.
Previewed back in January and reported by Move Electric's sister title Autocar, the 0 Series Saloon was the first of seven new electric cars from the Japanese firm that will sit on a brand new platform. A car Honda says is "the embodiment" of the technologies next January.
We expect to see two versions made available: one with rear-wheel drive and another with four-wheel drive. The entry-level version will have a 241bhp motor on the rear axle, while 4WD models will either feature the same motor on the front axle – giving top-end cars a system output of 482bhp – or a 67bhp motor that will be shared with future hybrids.
The battery will fit under the floor, as in other EVs, but Honda says the focus was on making it as thin as possible – claiming it’s around 8mm slimmer than those from rival brands. It will make use of compact e-axles that can be mounted much lower in the car to keep the centre of gravity low.
These motors will get their power from a nickel-manganese-cobalt battery with a capacity of between 80kWh and 90kWh, which means they are estimated to have ranges of more than 300 miles.
A 100kWh battery pack will also be made available, further increasing range.
A new mega-casting tool will be used to help the battery stay as thin as possible. This is achieved because the battery case has been produced in three parts, rather than about 60 as before.
The new mega-casting method means batteries of different sizes can be made on the same production line, reducing costs.
And the method will extend to more than just batteries. Eventually, Honda will use it to make the car's front and rear assemblies as single pieces.
Honda claims the 0 Series Saloon will weigh around 100kg less than a similarly sized current EV, which is also key to its promise of an enjoyable driving experience.
Aiding this is a lightweight aluminium frame that has been designed to flex when cornering at speeds, pushing load onto the outside of the wheels to improve cornering balance.
The car will feature a steer-by-wire system, which means that the yoke-style steering wheel used in the concept could make production. The control for the system will be integrated with those for the suspension, brakes and regen to aid handling.
Active aerodynamics will also make it to production. This means that air will be channelled underneath the car to a sculpted body, adding up to six miles of range, as well as creating downforce.
The cars will be able to offer level-three autonomy in certain situations, which means you will be able to take your eyes off the road and let the car do the driving for you. This is thanks to a range of cameras and radar sensors dotted around the car's exterior.
Honda has indicated that yet more is to come. The 0 Series Saloon will be joined in 2026 by midsize and entry-level SUVs, then a large SUV in 2027. A compact SUV, a small SUV and a smaller saloon are then due by 2030.
