An international panel of experts has named the Honda Urban EV Concept as the “Best Concept Car” in the 2018 iteration of the Car Design Awards, which was presented at the Turin Motor Show.
The Car Design Award finalists and winners were selected and judged by a jury of 12 automotive journalists from around the world.
The Honda Urban EV Concept was named as a finalist in April, and was subsequently chosen as the overall concept car winner, fighting off competition from nine other show cars.
Honda first revealed the Urban EV Concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Its low and wide proportions present a sporty stance, while the styling incorporates slim A-pillars and a wide windscreen that appears to sweep around the front end of the cabin. Entry and exit is via rear-hinged coach doors.
Inside, you’ll find natural materials and an open-plan cabin that features front and rear bench seating. Natural grey fabric and wood finish accents are used, while a “floating” dashboard incorporates a wrap-around screen that runs behind the console and extends into the doors.
“The Honda Urban EV Concept is a wonderfully judged piece of design which brings a much-needed sense of personality to the EV space,” the Car Design Award jury said in a joint statement. “Its clever blending of both retro and futuristic aesthetics gives it an undeniable desirability that few can compete with.”
Makoto Iwaki, Honda R&D executive creative director, expressed “the utmost gratitude on behalf of our entire Honda design team to the jury who valued our unique proposal, which we feel contrasts with the recent car designs”.
“The production car based on this concept model is currently underway, which will be easy to access, fun to drive, and make everyday life more fulfilled and joyful,” Makoto-san added.
The Honda Urban EV Concept along with the Sports EV Concept took home CAR magazine’s design of the year gong for concept cars in the “special awards” section of the 2018 Top 12 awards.
