Tokyo Motor Show 2023: Honda Unveils Three EV Concept Cars

Honda has showcased a slew of concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show 2023 in Japan. These include the Honda Prelude, the Sustaina-C and the CI-MEV concepts. As these are all concepts, it is unclear when they will be put into production. 

Honda Prelude Concept

The Prelude moniker makes a comeback after more than 20 years but this time it is shown just as a concept. However, the car that Honda showed at the motor show looks more production-ready than just a prototype. Its fascia takes inspiration from the latest, 11th-gen Civic apart from the closed-off grille. Furthermore, it has proper ORVMs instead of cameras which is the norm on most concept cars. The only part of the whole car that indicates it may be a concept is the blacked-out greenhouse, suggesting the interior is yet to be finalised. 

Honda’s Chief Executive Officer, Toshihiro Mibe said, “The Prelude Concept is a speciality sports model that will offer an exhilarating experience that makes you want to keep going forever and extraordinary excitement you never felt before.” Honda hasn’t given any details yet about the powertrain but has confirmed that it will have an electrified powertrain – either all-electric or a hybrid powertrain. 

Honda Sustaina-C Concept

The Japanese manufacturer also revealed the Sustaina-C concept that has been created to show how cars can be created using sustainable materials. The Sustaina-C is constructed using reused and recycled acrylic resin and Mibe said this will help Honda “achieve both environmental sustainability and the joy and freedom of mobility long into the future.” 

The Sustaina-C looks similar to the Honda e EV hatchback that is sold in the international market. The Sustaina-C gets round LED headlights connected by a white strip that mimics a light bar. A big white portion in the blacked-out bumper mimics where a grille should be. On the bonnet, it seems to have a solar panel like, um, panel and the ORVMs are very concept car-like cameras. It is said to be a spiritual successor to the first-gen Honda City hatchback (never sold in India) but it is unclear if it will be put into production. 

Honda CI-MEV Concept

The CI-MEV Concept is a self-driving microcar that has seating for only two passengers. Mibe says this concept car targets the older population in rural areas to help with better last-mile mobility. He added, “Such people tend to have a limited living radius. If there are products that offer easily-accessible, last-mile mobility, people can go places, farther, faster and more casually.” 

This self-driving all-electric microcar is supposed to target the Citroen Ami quadricycle, but the small French car is not self-driving. Like the Sustaina-C concept, it is unclear whether Honda will put the CI-MEV into production anytime soon.