The 0 series cars preview a sleek design language.

SLEEK electric prototypes unveiled by Honda in North America today point closely to cars it will have in production soon.

The Japanese brand has ramped up preparations for its new family of next-generation 0 Series EVs by revealing full prototype versions of its radically styled Saloon and SUV concepts.

The latest Saloon reveals take inspiration from a like-styled concept it showed off a year ago; the SUV from a more recent - but physically larger - design study it presented later in 2024.

The proposal is for the SUV to be on sale in North America first, with availability late in 2026, according to reports.

While Holkda has yet to share technical details, the website for Britain’s Autocar magazine relates that 0 Series models will be offered with single- and dual-motor powertrains, which will use new compact e-axle motors that are also designed to be mounted low in the car. It says entry-level models will feature a 178kW motor on the rear axle, while dual-motor versions will provide four-wheel drive. Initially, top-end versions will offer a system output of around 359kW, the website says.

Proposal is that ultimately the 0 Series models will span seven models. Yet to be seen is a large, three-row SUV that could rival the likes of the Kia EV9, likely in 2027 when the sedan seen here also comes into production. A compact SUV is set for 2028, another small SUV in 2029 and then a compact sedan rounds things off in 2030.

The marketing slogan for the O series is thin, light, wise.

The ‘thin’ element refers to the battery shape itself, which is encased using new welding techniques to help reduce intrusion into the cabin and lower the overall profile. ‘Light’ applies to the aluminium body frame, which Honda says will help to lower kerb weights by 100kg. ‘Wise’ is in respect to the intended use of artificial intelligence.

For now, though, all eyes are on the styling of these cars it unveiled today at The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where the original design studies were also revealed to the world in 2024.

The reveal of Honda’s electric future comes shortly after early discussions it has held with Nissan, in respect to these brands merging. Reports say there are no plans for Nissan to make use of Honda’s 0 Series technology, however.

Honda has previously said it planned to use learnings from its involvement in Formula One to save weight, as well as new manufacturing techniques to reduce cost.

Last year it committed to investing 10 trillion Japanese yen between now and April 2031 to develop its new range of vehicles, funded in part by growing sales of hybrid models.

It plans for 40 percent of its global new-car sales to be electric and hydrogen fuel-cell powered by 2030, before growing to 100 percent by 2040.