KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia's first and highly anticipated battery electric vehicle (BEV) - the e:N1, is officially launched today.
The BEV is priced at RM149,900 (on-the road without insurance) in a single variant.
Honda Malaysia opened its order books in April.
The company has received around 200 pre-launch bookings for the e:N1 since order-taking began on April 15.
The e:N1 is fully imported from China, where it is sold as the e:NS1 under Dongfeng Honda, a joint venture with the Chinese automaker. A sportier e: NP1 is also sold there under a separate Honda joint venture with China's GAC.
The electric SUV comes with a three-year or 100,000km vehicle warranty, an eight-year or 160,000km warranty for the battery and EV components, as well as a free service package of up to four times within three years or 60,000km (whichever comes first).
Colour options include Aqua Topaz Metallic, Urban Grey Pearl and Platinum White Pearl.
Built on the company's e:N Architecture F platform for EVs, a 68.8kWh lithium-ion battery mounted in the floor supplies power to an electric motor that produces 150kW (204PS/201hp) and 310Nm of torque for the front wheels.
Promising precise control and smooth acceleration, this EV can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 7.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 160kph and comes with three driving modes of Econ, Normal and Sport.
Honda Malaysia advertised the SUV's range as 500km (NEDC); a more realistic range based on the WLTP cycle is 412km.
The e:N1 rolls on 18-inch dual-tone alloys fitted with 225/50 series tyres.
The wheels partially hide front and rear disc brakes. Front suspension uses MacPherson struts, while the rear gets a torsion beam setup.
The battery accepts up to 78kW when using a fast DC charger that will take its State-of-Charge (SoC) from 30% to 80% in 40 minutes. A slower 11kW AC charger can charge the EV from 10% to 80% in about six hours.
An 11kW wallbox charger is available at RM5,788 for single-phase wiring and RM6,188 for three-phase wiring.
While the front automatic headlights and rear light clusters are illuminated by LEDs, the charging port is found at the front, behind its flip-up "H"onda badge.
For added peace of mind, a Honda Insurance Plus (HiP EV) package is available, providing additional EV benefits including coverage for damage or injury while using public EV chargers, protection for EV Home wall charger, against fire, lightning, theft or natural disasters, coverage for loss or damage to the portable charging cable and personal liability coverage for bodily injury or damage to third-party property arising from the use of the EV home wall charger.
Inside, this B-segment SUV provides a blacked-out interior that's upholstered in matching faux-leather and comes with blue ambient lighting as well as 344 litres of boot space.
A rather large 15.1-inch portrait touchscreen is used for the infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto, for the six-speaker setup.
Meanwhile, the driver gets a 10.2-inch TFT instrument display and he sits on an eight-way power-adjustable seat.
The multi-function steering wheel, wrapped in synthetic leather, comes with paddle shifters to control the regenerative braking system.
In terms of comfort and convenience, there are dual-zone climate controls, keyless entry with push-start button, 12V socket, two front USB (Type-A and Type-C) and another two USB (Type-C) ports for the rear as well as a wireless charger up front.
Safety-wise, the e:N1 gets six airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, auto-hold function, brake assist and emergency stop signal.
Bolstering safety is a full suite of Honda Sensing's Advanced Driver Aid Systems (ADAS) which includes Blind Spot Information (BSI) with Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keep Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Adaptive Cruise Control, Lead Car Departure Notification System and Forward Collision Warning system.
"Ensuring a 'Fun-To-Drive' experience is key to all our technological developments, and our new BEV will certainly uphold this tradition," said Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Narushi Yazaki, who took over the company's reins from Hironobu Yoshimura in February.
Meanwhile, Honda Malaysia president and chief operating officer Sarly Adle Sarkum said the government should consider offering incentives for auto companies to set up local assembly of EVs.
He said investments involved in such an operation may take up to five years to recoup.
