Honda e Prototype Makes Dynamic Debut at the Goodwood FoS

It's not unusual for Honda's prototypes or concepts to be 98% ready for production. Such was the case with the Civic and CR-V in recent years, for example. However, the little EV is different because it's actually a working car. What's more, people have actually bought it already based on just what we see here, with registrations probably exceeding 20,000 units by now.

Looking at the design, it's easy to see why it's so loved. This is the cutest thing Honda has made in a long time, with simple, round headlights hinting to the original Civic. "Surely, they're not going to offer rearview cameras on the real deal," we hear you say. Except they are, even on the base model.

The official specs that were released just a couple of days ago say the rear-mounted electric motor delivers 150 HP and over 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque. This should give it Honda e a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of around 8 seconds.

Honda promises this car will be both fun and practical for urban commuters, thanks to perfect 50/50 weight distribution, four-wheel independent McPherson suspension and the tightest turning circle this side of a smart.

The only place where you get a little bit less than expected is in the battery department. Honda's 35.5 kWh battery is said to provide only about 200 kilometers or 124 miles of range, so trips to the charging stations quite frequent. Once there, the city car is said to reach 80% charge in only a half-hour. Still, the new Renault Zoe boasts 52 kWh and 390 km (242 miles), while the Opel Corsa-e/Peugeot e-208 boast 50 kWh batteries with 330 kilometers or 205 miles per charge.