Production-Ready Honda e:NP2 Unveiled at Auto Guangzhou 2023

The production version of the Honda e:NP2 EV SUV breaks cover at the Auto Guangzhou 2023

Aside from the barrage of Chinese EVs, the Auto Guangzhou 2023 motor show also hosted several foreign brands to display its latest offerings. One of said brands is Honda, who finally unveiled the production version of its new EV SUV model, the Honda e:NP2.

Previously revealed as a prototype during the Auto Shanghai 2023 show earlier this year, the e:NP2 is the by-product of a joint-venture between said Japanese marque and Chinese automaker GAC known as GAC Honda. Featuring the firm’s signature e:N design, the e:NP2 stood as a coupe SUV crossover with wedge-y body style and a pretty chiselled overall look.

For starters, this EV SUV sports a grill-less front face, featuring sharp C-shaped LED headlights with full-width LED DRL, plus a wide lower opening with black-hued vertical bars. Aside from its wedge-y fastback-style roofline, the e:NP2 also comes with flushed door handles, while riding on stylish 18-inch alloy wheels with a semi-enclosed design – the latter two helping to boost the car’s aerodynamic performance.

From the rear, you can clearly see the e:NP2’s rakish rear windscreen, plus a small rear spoiler on top of the blacked-out roof. Similar to the opposite end, its tailgate is donned with C-shaped LED taillights, plus a prominent rear bumper accent with vertical stripes and a faux diffuser – all hued in the gloss black colour as its underbody cladding and side mirrors.

On board, the e:NP2’s innards are shown to don a two-tone black and white finish, as well as boasting some tech equipment. This includes the large floating central infotainment display that crowns above the front dash, a slim digital instrument cluster hiding beneath the sleek steering wheel, push button-style gear selector instead of a conventional lever, ambient lighting system, wireless charging pad, and many more. The front seats also seemed to be perforated, indicating that either or both the ventilated and heated functions are offered to them.

On the powertrain front, CarExpert reports that the new e:NP2 will be powered by a single electric motor setup that delivers 204 HP (152 kW) of power. Underpinning the e:N Architecture F platform, this EV SUV carries a 68.8-kWh battery pack which grants it with a maximum EV range of 510 KM, according to the more lenient CLTC standards.

Set to debut in the Chinese market in 2024, it remains unclear whether the new Honda e:NP2 will be offered in other international markets outside of China

While the Honda e:NP2 already made its maiden public appearance at this year’s Auto Guangzhou, this EV SUV won’t be on sale in the Chinese market until early next year, with its production also set to commence at the same time. It will join other all-electric GAC Honda products including the HR-V-based Honda e:NP1, which is also known as the Honda e:Ny1 in the European market.

As for now, it remains unclear whether Honda has any plans to offer the new e:NP2 EV SUV in any other markets outside of China. Similar to other Japanese automakers, Honda has been quite lenient to introduce its all-electric products to other markets than China and Japan, with the automaker still backing its ICE-based models for most export markets, including Malaysia.