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- Honda reveals e:Ny1 battery-electric crossover in Offenbach, Germany, as the automaker's second EV to be sold in Europe.
- The e:Ny1 is powered by a 68.8-kWh battery, producing 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.
- At the moment this model is slated for Europe, while Honda prepares to roll out the larger Prologue stateside.
Honda took the wraps off the e:Ny1 electric crossover a few days ago, previewing a production-ready model that will go on sale relatively shortly—at least in Europe.
The e:Ny1 is based on Honda's e:N Architecture F platform, becoming the second battery-electric model to be offered across the Atlantic, accompanying the Honda e hatchback.
Powered by a 68.8-kWh battery, the smallish crossover features a front-wheel-drive layout promising 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque, giving it a range of 256 miles in the WLTP cycle. The EPA range, if we ever receive one, is bound to be far more conservative, perhaps landing around the 200-mile mark. This doesn't make the e:Ny1 a short-range model per se, but it wouldn't be among the most generous offerings when it comes to range.
If it seems like you've seen this model before, that's because the e:Ny1 is closely related to the Chinese-market e:NS1 and e:NP1 revealed not long ago. The new vehicle features a relatively wide track and very short overhangs, buying the battery plenty of room underneath, while also giving the model a low center of gravity.
"The e:Ny1 is the logical next step on our electrification journey in Europe," said Tom Gardner, Senior Vice President at Honda Motor Europe Ltd.
A fastback profile trades some cargo space for today's trendy shape, while rear door handles moved up into the window frame give the electric crossover a Niva-like look. Honda used high-tensile steel across 47% of the body, improving torsional rigidity.
On the inside, the e:Ny1 features a 15.1-inch vertically oriented infotainment touchscreen that replaces most if not all buttons.
"Our development philosophy blends intelligent, customer-centric technology with beautiful design and fun-to-drive dynamics. This latest SUV exemplifies Honda’s commitment to electrification and is the latest step on Honda’s electrification journey," Gardner added.
At the moment, the curiously named e:Ny1 will stay in Europe, with Honda and Acura planning to offer a duo of larger, Ultium-based SUVs in the US starting next year.
But Honda's own e:Architecture will arrive stateside a bit later in the decade, underpinning other electric models that have yet to be revealed. One of these could be a smaller electric model in this general segment.
But whether it will be a carbon copy of the e:Ny1 remains to be seen.
Should Honda offer this model stateside, or do US consumers prefer larger electric SUVs with more range? Let us know what you think.
Jay Ramey grew up around very strange European cars, and instead of seeking out something reliable and comfortable for his own personal use he has been drawn to the more adventurous side of the dependability spectrum. Despite being followed around by French cars for the past decade, he has somehow been able to avoid Citroën ownership, judging them too commonplace, and is currently looking at cars from the former Czechoslovakia. Jay has been with Autoweek since 2013.
