TOKYO: It hasn't been too long since Honda brought its Urban EV Concept to the Frankfurt Motor Show, and now the Japanese automaker has turned up with another electric car concept at its home show here this week. But this is one enthusiasts have been waiting for, because the somewhat unimaginatively named Sports EV Concept is just what it sounds like, which is an all-electric sports car.

There's no ignoring the fact that this one owes a good deal of its styling cues to the Urban EV Concept, such as the black panels housing the headlights and taillights, the implied but not present grille, the lights themselves, the wrap-around windscreen and black bars on the sides of the vehicle.



Whether fans of electric cars like to admit it or not, there are still obstacles to overcome before they're going to be seen as a genuine alternative to combustion engine-powered cars. The headline issues are the limited driving ranges most currently offer, the amount of time it takes to recharge one, and the practicality issues many people face when it comes to accessing electricity supplies to recharge an EV. But there are other issues that need to be addressed, which are styling, affordability and desirability. And that's where the Honda could come in.

Although Honda has so far declined to comment on details about the powertrain and performance, it has admitted the Sports EV shares a platform with the Urban EV, which gives hope that the Sports EV might actually see the light of day eventually.



Though the EV looks like it could be amusing to drive, it also has an artificial intelligence (AI) system on-board called the Honda Automated Network Assistant. According to the manufacturer it's designed to "create communication that unites driver and car." Honda also added that it's designed to deliver "a one-ness between driver and car;" hopefully that means it's about making the car even more nimble and fun to drive.

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