Red machine, earth dream, immd-hybrid …… talking about Honda, car fans will always associate the word “sports”. The Civic has been a dream for teenagers during their youth, with its strength. The Power of Dreams is a true statement. However, the current revolution is far more violent than expected, and the gasoline smell may fall early. The future of the automobile belongs to the electric. The future of Honda belongs to e: N. Goodbye VTEC, is the driving fun still there?
Interior – The car’s engine works well
In terms of space, the Honda e: NS1 is impressive, and its reputation as a “space magician” is well earned. e: NS1 is a small SUV, but the ride space is at the level of higher-level SUVs. Specifically, the standard legroom in the rear reaches 830mm, comparable to the Insignia. Seat comfort is also at a high level, with no lack of support and fit.
In terms of storage space, the e: NS1 also has above-par performance. Front storage space is abundant, and none of the regular storage compartments are absent. The door handles are sealed at the bottom, which is convenient for cell phones or high-speed cards. The downside is that the center cup holder is large and generally fixed, and the limiter cannot securely hold common-size water bottles such as 550ml and 570ml bottles. There is no storage compartment in the normal position (bottom) of the rear door panel, but a cup holder is set next to the window button. In addition, with the rear air conditioning vents below the design of the storage compartment, storage space in the same class has a small advantage.
Overall, the e: NS1 has a class-leading ride space and seat comfort that exceeds expectations. Unfortunately, the size of the body limits the luggage compartment space, and the height and depth are not ideal. If you often travel with a full complement of passengers, the e: NS1’s loading capacity may draw complaints. On the contrary, as an urban car for a young couple or a family of three, the e: NS1 can easily meet space needs.
Space | Better than expected in the rear
The Honda e: N Architecture F architecture uses a single motor design, where the “F” stands for front-wheel drive. Specifically, the Dongfeng Honda e: NS1 is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor and is available in both low and high-power tuning depending on the battery pack. The e: NS1 e-mobility version tested here is equipped with a 68.8kWh ternary lithium battery, with a maximum motor power of 150kW (204hp) and a maximum torque of 310Nm. coincidentally, the VW ID.4 long-range version and the Toyota bZ4X 2WD version have the same peak output. In today’s world where horsepower has become cheap, joint venture car companies still adhere to the law of balance.
So far in the development of the automotive industry, internal combustion engine technology seems to have hit a bottleneck. Coupled with the restrictions of emission regulations, fuel cars gradually lost their way and driveability started to go downhill. On the contrary, pure electric cars are born with outstanding driveability and fast and smooth power output. Shift delay? Turbo lag? It doesn’t exist. A fuel car’s power response is no match for an electric car’s. With a little pressure from your right foot, the e: NS1 will give you a direct, crisp power response. Even if you limit the range to electric cars, the e: NS1’s power response is on the fast side.
Say goodbye to the roar of the engine, will the e: NS1 be boring to drive? No matter how stubborn the “petrol head” is, it does not change the fact that the motor responds quickly. As for the atmosphere, e: NS1 offers the electronic sound from BOSE audio – Honda EV Sound simulation sound. From the experience, the simulated sound is the same frequency output as the acceleration force. With the increase of the “throttle” opening, the volume gradually climbs, trying to set up the driving atmosphere.
The electric car power response is soaring, and the drivability gap between high-end and low-end models is gradually narrowing. But the key to getting the mouth up and getting real driving pleasure lies in the chassis performance. Dongfeng Honda e: NS1 uses front MacPherson independent suspension, rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, and chassis hardware is nothing special. As for the actual performance, it also depends on the tuning skills, which is precisely the strength of the Honda brand.
Pure electric vehicles have no engine and are inherently quieter. However, without the roar of the internal combustion engine, other noises and vibrations often become more prominent. To enhance comfort, the engineers chose soft-textured Maersk UltraContact UC6 tires for the e: NS1. Driving on paved roads, the tires feel soft in contact, giving a smooth, delicate feel. Only when encountering rough tarmac, the graininess is transmitted to the car relatively clearly. As for the suspension tuning, the e: NS1 deliberately retains some road feel and does not completely shield small values of road excitation.
Editor’s Note: From fuel to pure electric, Honda has successfully passed on its brand DNA and made old friends feel incredibly familiar. e:NS1 has no new and exciting design, and no thunderous power, but makes driving fun approachable, and integrated into everyday driving. What was once a longboard is still a longboard today. As for the shortcomings, the e:NS1 has worked hard to change itself, creating a more refined interior, a smarter machine, and a quieter cabin. For consumers who focus on mechanical quality, the electric Honda may be better. Let go of prejudice and embrace the future, the result is not bad.
