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More than an electric car concept! Honda's 2026 brand reboot to start with retro Saloon and Space Hub van

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Watch out, Lamborghini? Honda's 2026 brand reboot is to be headlined by wedge-shaped sports machine.
Watch out, Lamborghini? Honda's 2026 brand reboot is to be headlined by wedge-shaped sports machine.
Tom White
Senior Journalist
10 Jan 2024
4 min read

Revealed at CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Honda has shown two concept cars, but there’s much more to the story, with the Japanese juggernaut promising a brand reboot complete with a new logo and an electric future with a focus on lightweight design.

Headlining this will be the 0 Series - a set of new EVs which will debut the new brand iconography, design ethos, and technology - starting with the Saloon - more of a Lambroghini Countach-styled four-door wedge than a traditional ‘Saloon’ - which is promised to make production by 2026.

Honda also showed a panel-van style ‘Space-Hub’ concept, which shares similar design cues but with a focus on space maximisation. A timeline for the Space-Hub was not announced.

Honda is promising a new way of thinking when it comes to these next-generation electric vehicles, referred to as “thin, light, and wise”, which it says will set it apart from the current crop of “thick and heavy” electric vehicles.

Each will serve as a new brand pillar for the 0 Series. ‘Thin’ represents a new dedicated EV platform which will consist of a low vehicle height and a thin battery, allowing for “excellent aerodynamic performance”. ‘Light’ represents “going back to the starting point of Honda as an automaker”, promising sporty and efficient driving characteristics. Finally, ‘Wise’ represents the future of “software-defined mobility products”, promising advancement of the intelligent software features in the car.

Honda’s rebooted iconography – which will be worn on the production versions of these cars – is a new take on the brand’s original 1963 ‘H’ logo, with the brand saying it would move away from its current ‘H mark’ which dates back to 1981.

We may also see the first 0 Series car sooner than expected. Honda says a production version based on the Saloon concept will launch in 2026 although its debut market will be North America. Unlike the North America-only Honda Prologue SUV, the brand promises the 0 Series will be global offerings, earmarking subsequent launches in Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.

Features of the Saloon concept include an intentionally low ride height to set it apart from other EVs, a large interior space as part of the brand’s new ‘man maximum, machine minimum’ design concept, a simple but ‘seamless’ user interface system, a steer-by-wire system which is joined by something the brand calls a ‘motion management’ and ‘posture control’ system, and a focus on the “joy of driving in the EV era”.

Meanwhile, the Space-Hub concept promises a flexible living-room-style interior space, which appears to feature a six-seat layout with the rear seats facing each other. Further details on this model, including its potential production date have not yet been revealed, but Honda is also promising a high level of driving autonomy available from its new software.

The Zero series is one of the first major indicators of the future of the Honda brand outside of China, where Honda has announced a China-first range of more conventional electric vehicles as part of its e:N range, including a sedan, a small SUV and a hatchback. Honda also revealed an electric Prelude concept at the Japan Mobility Show in late 2023.

Don’t expect to see any new electric Honda any time soon in Australia, though. We’ve already missed out on the quaint Honda e hatchback which has since been discontinued, and the brand recently confirmed to CarsGuide that its focus in the short- to mid-term would be a roll-out of hybrids across its existing range of combustion nameplates.

Tom White
Senior Journalist
Despite studying ancient history and law at university, it makes sense Tom ended up writing about cars, as he spent the majority of his waking hours finding ways to drive as many as possible. His fascination with automobiles was also accompanied by an affinity for technology growing up, and he is just as comfortable tinkering with gadgets as he is behind the wheel. His time at CarsGuide has given him a nose for industry news and developments at the forefront of car technology.
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