Honda is set to unveil what it is calling a small “next generation’ electric car at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. The car, dubbed the EV-STER, will make its debut as a concept when the show opens Dec. 3.
The EV-STER’s compact frame features sleek, angular lines that highlight the car’s low-slung, aggressive styling.
Since Honda has crafted much of the car from carbon, the vehicle’s weight is substantially less than if the car was made from steel or aluminum. That lighter weight translates into higher speed, longer range and tighter handling.
Inside, the new Honda is not steered by use of a wheel, but instead, two twin-lever joystick-like devices are used to pilot the vehicle. The new concept model also enables the driver to make custom adjustments to some vehicle characteristics such as motor output and suspension settings from the cockpit.
The new Honda concept is powered by a lithium-ion battery that puts out 58kW of power and generates about 78 horsepower. On the road that means the rear-wheel drive two-seater has a top speed of 100 MPH and a 0 to 37 MPH time of about five seconds. Depending on the type of charger used, a full juice up will take anywhere from three to six hours and deliver a range of about 100 miles.
Honda has not released any price information or production schedules for the EV-STER, but since it is a concept we won’t hold our breath to see it on the streets of Tokyo, or anywhere else, anytime soon. Still, it is nice to dream.
