by Honda Motor has officially presented the production version of the Honda 0 (Zero) Saloon electric car in Japan – a model that is set to open a new chapter in electromobility for the brand. The production version almost completely replicates the concept shown two years ago and looks like a car from the future that has unexpectedly found itself on the roads of the present.
The design of the Honda Zero Saloon is radically different from the brand’s traditional models. A single-volume silhouette, maximally smoothed surfaces, a minimum of lines, and the absence of familiar elements like a radiator grille – the car seems as if it has been “smoothed” by the wind. It does not resemble any modern production electric car, and this is the main idea of Honda: to show what transportation could be like in the coming years.
The interior is a separate story. The entire dashboard has been transformed into one large screen, and instead of rearview mirrors, cameras are installed, the images from which are displayed on side screens at the edges of the dashboard. A separate screen is even embedded in the central tunnel between the front seats. There are no physical buttons at all – control of all functions is carried out via touchscreens and voice commands.
The brain of the systems is the proprietary Honda Asimo OS, which is responsible for interactive interaction with the driver and voice control. There is also no traditional steering wheel – instead, there is a rectangular control yoke. It is mounted on a pivoting hinge and automatically moves forward to facilitate the driver’s entry.
The Honda Zero Saloon will also be equipped with an advanced driver assistance system with Level 3 adaptive cruise control – this means the car can partially drive itself, but the driver must still monitor the situation.
The Honda Zero electric cars will initially enter the market in the United States – the start of sales is scheduled for 2026. It is there that Honda wants to make its first step in the “premium-EV segment with an emphasis on futurism and autonomy”.
Given that competition in the electric sedan segment is growing rapidly and Honda has long been cautious with electric cars, the appearance of the Zero Saloon could become an important and even pivotal moment for the company. If the model can combine futuristic technologies with Honda’s traditional reliability, it has every chance of claiming its place in the new electric era of the automotive industry.
