Honda HR-V EV prototype proven in Thailand – all-electric SUV mannequin coming to ASEAN, Malaysia quickly?

On the ongoing 2022 Thailand Worldwide Motor Expo, Honda Thailand introduced out a shock automobile within the type of the SUV e:Prototype, which beforehand made its international debut finally 12 months’s Auto Shanghai.

Serving as a preview for an all-electric model of the third-generation HR-V, the idea car has since been was a client product when the e:NS1 and e:NP1 twins (one by Dongfeng Honda and the opposite by GAC Honda) have been revealed in China final October.

A worldwide model of these electrical automobiles (EVs) was previewed earlier this 12 months with the disclosing of the e:Ny1 Prototype in March and is predicted to be based mostly on the identical e:N Structure F for front-wheel-drive automobiles.

Visually acquainted, the present automobile in Thailand shares the identical primary form because the HR-V we at the moment have right here, albeit with particular cues like a closed-off grille that integrates a lined charging port, mild bars extending from the modern headlamps, ultra-slim facet mirrors and a revised decrease apron with air curtains. One distinction from the newer e:Ny1 Prototype is the dearth of the Honda script on the tailgate beneath the full-width taillights.

In China, each the e:NS1 and e:NP1 can be found in two powertrain configurations, with the primary that includes a front-mounted electrical motor rated at 182 PS (180 hp or 134 kW) and 310 Nm of torque that’s powered by a 53.6-kWh ternary lithium-ion battery, the latter good for a spread of as much as 420 km following the native CLTC customary.

The opposite choice sports activities a extra highly effective electrical motor with 204 PS (201 hp or 150 kW) and the identical quantity of torque (310 Nm). The battery capability is larger at 68.8 kWh, rising the vary as much as 510 km – each variations have the identical prime velocity of 150 km/h.

For charging, Honda quotes about 9 hours to get to a full cost from 5% with an undisclosed AC enter for the smaller-capacity battery, and about 9.5 hours for the larger-capacity battery. Each batteries will get from a 30-80% state of cost in about 40 minutes with DC quick charging, additionally at an undisclosed energy enter. These figures (aside from the vary that can comply with the WLTP customary) are anticipated to be the identical for the manufacturing model of the e:Ny1 Prototype when it’s lastly launched.

The presence of the SUV e:Prototype does open up the concept Thailand may obtain an all-electric model of the HR-V sooner or later. It is a chance given the nation is aggressively pushing to develop its EV ecosystem, and with different ASEAN markets additionally doing the identical, possibly we’ll get a HR-V EV in Malaysia as properly?

It’s purely speculatory for now, however would you desire a fourth powertrain choice for the HR-V that’s purely electrical to be made accessible as a substitute for the present naturally aspirated, turbocharged and hybrid choices?