Regarding Presenting High Performance EVs, Honda: Not As Easy As Expected

JAKARTA - Automotive manufacturer from Japan, Honda is looking for ways to bring the Type R line to the electric vehicle segment (EV) to compete in the high-performance segment. However, this is not as simple as expected.

Head of Honda BEV Development Center, Toshihiro Akiwa said creating high-performance electric vehicles is not a simple process like a gasoline-engined model.

"Baters and electric motors have different characteristics so we can't produce exactly the same as the previous ICE," Akiwa said as quoted by Auto Express, Tuesday, January 21.

He also added that high-performance cars must have the characteristics of pleasure in driving so that the approach to be made is different from the ICE version.

"As an EV, how can we give pleasure in driving? Of course we don't give up, but it's not just a matter of energy, it's about sound, vibration, acceleration, and human experience," Akiwa added.

Previously, the manufacturer with the 'H logo was upright introducing the world premiere '0 Series' in the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which took place in Las Vegas, USA.

The cars are 0 Saloons and 0 SUVs that previously appeared in the form of concepts compared to the previous year. The EV will be the forerunner of the line of environmentally friendly vehicles in the future and will be introduced in the production version in 2026.

The 0 Saloon model is positioned as a Honda model flagship in the EV lineup developed and will feature a number of next-generation technologies to realize the Thin, Light, and Wise development approach.

The version of Honda 0 Saloon production is planned to be introduced in the North American market in 2026, followed by other markets including Japan and Europe.

Meanwhile, Honda now only provides Civic Type R as a global high-performance car armed with a 4-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 320 ps of power combined with six-acceleration manual transmission.