Honda releases first VR rendering of all-new Prologue EV

MANILA: Honda has revealed the first sketch of the all-new Prologue full-electric SUV, which will debut in 2024. As the first Honda model mainly built using virtual reality visualization technology, Prologue styling indicates an adventure-ready SUV designed for daily driving and weekend trips with a clear indication of the well-received Honda e in the front fascia.

The Prologue's exterior look reflects the global Honda design direction's clean, uncomplicated, and classic qualities, along with a long wheelbase, lower overhang, and a strong stance with capable tires. Prologue was designed in partnership with a Honda design team in Japan at the Honda Design Studio in California, USA.

In a statement, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Vice President of Auto Sales Mamadou Diallo said, “We announced a plan two years ago, positioned as a smart strategy, to co-develop an electric vehicle with GM. What will result is not just a more efficient process, but a great-looking new vehicle, the Honda Prologue. Our dealers are excited about Prologue and the fact that it is just the first volume Honda EV, with more Honda engineered EVs we will begin building in North America coming to market in 2026.”

Honda plans to introduce 30 new EV models by 2030, totaling two million units, in order to meet its global mission of carbon neutrality by 2050. Honda has set an ambitious timeframe for EV debuts in North America, with three phases running up to 2030:

• 2024: Begin sales of the Honda Prologue, co-developed with GM
• 2026: Begin production and sales of Honda models based on the new Honda e:Architecture
• 2027: Begin production and sales of a new series of affordable EVs, based on a new vehicle architecture co-developed with GM

Honda expects to sell around 500,000 EV units in North America by 2030 based on these three phases.

Honda is also coordinating directly with its dealers to assist them in preparing for the new generation of BEV sales and servicing. This includes a new dealership facility design that gives dealers a versatile space that recognizes changes in the way people shop for and buy cars, as well as lower inventory levels that dealers will need to ensure future sales; the certain number and type of EV charging stations that dealers will be required to establish based on their projected EV sales volume through 2030; and information on what kind of tools and equipment dealers will need to service Honda EVs.

Honda is using a tiered approach with dealers for the deployment of these guidelines, based on expected EV sales in their local areas. Dealers will be able to identify the ideal timing for these expenditures using this approach, which will evolve as EV sales grow.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a team of designers from the Honda Design Studio used virtual reality to address remote work constraints and engage digitally with Honda design and development team members in Japan. Prologue was designed to have a sleek and modern look that will fit in with other Honda SUVs in the showroom.

“As the project leader for the exterior design of the Honda Prologue, it was very exciting to work with a young team of designers with new capabilities to create an SUV with clean, simple lines and a strong influence from our global EV models, including the Honda e. We balanced that with a neo-rugged look that you see in our current lineup to ensure Prologue represents a true Honda EV,” Honda Prologue Exterior Design Leader Jiro Ikeda stated.

To boost range and minimize cabin noise, the team worked on aerodynamics, fine-tuning the body with a simple surface direction and less lines. This will be even more essential for customers driving EVs, as the absence of engine noise will make any wind noise and other sounds reaching the cabin more audible.

Photos from American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

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