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Home | Auto Shows | Tokyo Motor Show | Tokyo Preview: Honda Skydeck Hybrid Concept and Honda EV-N

Tokyo Preview: Honda Skydeck Hybrid Concept and Honda EV-N

01 October, 2009 05:58:00

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Honda will debut the Skydeck Hybrid Concept and tiny EV-N electric concept alongside CR-Z Hybrid Sports Car at next monthâ€™s Tokyo Motors Show.

The innovative 6-seater hybrid Skydeck Concept features gull-wing doors that open upward.

To give the Skydeck the practicality of a conventional MPV, many of the hybrid system components – including the high power battery – are housed in the car’s centre tunnel (rather than behind the rear seats or under the floor, as with previous production hybrids).

This allows for greater cabin space, and the room for three rows of two seats. It also gives a lower center of gravity.

"The design is clean, but it's dynamic," said Shinya Uchiyama, a designer at Honda's styling design development division.

Honda is expanding its hybrid range into a number of different segments, and that is likely to include people carriers.

The EV-N is a small, 4-seater battery electric vehicle, inspired by the N360, Honda's 360cc micro car launched in the 1960s.

It features solar panels in the roof, which could be used to charge the on-board battery. The EV-N is purely a design study and there are no plans for production.

Elsewhere, a special display zone named "HELLO!" (for Honda Electric mobility Loop) will feature a comprehensive display of electricity-based products, including products that supply electricity, vehicles that run on electricity and products with innovative electronic technologies.

As well as the EV-N, this area will display FCX CLARITY, a fuel cell electric vehicle that runs on the electricity it produces from hydrogen; a new EV-Cub electric motorcycle; the new U3-X, a one wheel personal mobility device that uses balance control technology developed through the ASIMO robot project; and LOOP, a portable communication tool that allows people and mobility devices to communicate with each other.

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