Honda talks about the style of the electric SUV Prologue, ready for adventure, which will appear in 2024, and shares plans to accelerate the sale of EV by 2030

Honda has released the first sketch with a preview of a brand new design Prologue A fully electric SUV will begin in 2024. The first Honda model, developed primarily using virtual reality imaging technology, the Prologue style offers an off-road-ready SUV capable of satisfying everyday driving and weekend getaways with a strong hint of the well-received Honda e in front of the fascia.

The Prologue’s exterior style represents the pure, simple and timeless values ​​of Honda’s global design direction along with a long wheelbase, shorter overhang and a strong rack equipped with capacious tires. The prologue was developed at Honda’s design studio in Los Angeles in collaboration with Honda’s team of designers from Japan.

“Two years ago, we announced a plan to jointly develop an electric vehicle with GM, which is positioned as a smart strategy. The result will be not only a more efficient process, but also a new Honda Prologue car that looks great, “said Mamadou Diallo, vice president of car sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc.” Our dealers are excited about Prologue and that this is only the first volume of the Honda EV, with more Honda EVs being developed that we will start building in North America, which will hit the market in 2026. ”

To achieve its global goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, Honda will introduce 30 new EVs worldwide by 2030 with a capacity of 2 million units. In North America, Honda has outlined an aggressive EV implementation schedule based on three phases leading to 2030:

• 2024: Sales of the Honda Prologue, developed in collaboration with GM, begin
• 2026: Start of production and sales of Honda models based on the new Honda e: Architecture.
• 2027: Start production and sales of a new series of available EVs based on a new car architecture developed in collaboration with GM.

Based on these three phases, the Honda brand plans to sell nearly 500,000 EVs in North America by 2030.

Honda is also working closely with its dealers to help them prepare for customer care in the new era of BEV sales and service. This includes:

• The new dealer facility design gives dealers a modular and flexible space that reflects changes in how customers buy and buy cars, and dealers with less inventory will need to maintain sales in the future.

• The number and type of charging stations for EV dealers will need to be established based on their expected EV sales by 2030.
• Instructions regarding the types of special tools and equipment dealers will need to purchase to service Honda electric vehicles.

To disseminate these recommendations, Honda uses a multi-level approach with dealers based on potential EV sales in their local markets. The multi-level approach will allow dealers to determine the best timing for these investments and evolve as EV sales accelerate.

American Honda Prologue design

A team of designers at Honda’s design studio in Los Angeles used virtual reality to overcome the challenges of remote work during the COVID pandemic, and to virtually collaborate with members of Honda’s design and development team in Japan. The prologue was conceived as a modern and fresh design that will look comfortable in the same cabin with existing Honda SUVs.

“As project manager for the Honda Prologue exterior design, it was very exciting to work with a young team of designers with new opportunities to create an SUV with clean, simple lines and a strong influence of our global EV models, including Honda e,” said Giro Ikeda. leader in exterior design. “We’ve balanced this with the flimsy look you see in our current lineup to ensure the Prologue represents a true Honda EV.”

The team also focused on aerodynamics, fine-tuning the body with a simple surface direction and fewer lines to improve range and reduce cabin noise. This will be even more important for customers who drive EVs, as the lack of engine sounds will make wind noise and other sounds coming into the cabin more noticeable.

SOURCE: Honda