Many automotive aficionados have a soft spot for Hondas and it’s easy to see why with its Type R models and VTEC engines that infamously kicks in (yo!). But come 2030, Chinese buyers who want to get a Honda will only settle for the electric kind.

The Honda e:NS1 is the first model to kick start Honda’s electric revolution in the Middle Kingdom and immediately you might think: That’s literally the all-new all-electric Honda HR-V with an even nerdier name, right?

Well, you aren’t wrong that’s for sure. The e:NS1 and its twin, the e:NP1 being the first of 10 e:N Series models Honda plans to launch in China in the next 5 years. Both the e:NS1 and e:NP1 will go on sale in China in Spring 2022.

Also read: VTEC Turbo to die in China by 2030 – electric 2022 Honda HR-V previewed

The e:NS1 and e:NP1 are essentially identical in looks and powertrains but both will be sold by different joint venture partners – Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda respectively.

Also read: China’s Honda Integra is a sleeker Civic you wished you had

The electric HR-V was last previewed at the Auto Shanghai 2021 as the SUV e:prototype and the design is largely carried over. Underneath, both SUVs sit on the e:N Architecture F platform and the body itself is made to be more rigid.

Also read: Honda SUV e:prototype is an electric HR-V that would be launched in 2022

But let’s get over the technical fluff and focus right onto the e:NS1, taken by our colleagues over in China at the ongoing 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show.

Just like the ones shown in the promotional videos and images, the unit on display sports a striking yellow and black two-tone paintjob. Honestly, I’m hoping that this colour combination will be available but that may just be wishful thinking.

On the outside, the e:NS1 is very similar to the all-new HR-V albeit with a fully covered grille that matches ¾ of the body colour. Round the back, it’s similar to the petrol and e:HEV variants of the HR-V with the exception of the Honda script being written in full right across the tailgate.

It’s a retro font style that fits on this futuristic Honda electric SUV which I admire much like the funky colour combo.

While the exterior seems largely unchanged from the ICE HR-V, it’s the inside that sports a more drastic look. Gone are the physical knobs and controllers and in their place is a massive 15.2-inch portrait-style infotainment screen that is powered by Honda’s e:N operating system (OS).

According to Honda, the new software will integrate Sensing 360 and Connect 3.0 systems as well as linking to smart devices at home. Still, as smart as that all sounds, some of us were against the decision to slap a large screen in the middle a la Tesla.

Also read: The W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class’ giant touchscreen is a bad sign of things to come

On the bright side, at least the hazard lights button is still a physical piece.

Still focusing on the interior, the e:NS1 uses a push-button gear selector instead of the conventional gear selector as seen on the petrol and hybrid HR-Vs. This type of gear selector is a norm on a few North American-market Honda models like the Odyssey.

Also read: 2021 Honda Odyssey, USA vs Japan - two very different cars, same name

Honda has yet to reveal what powers the e:NS1 but according to some info leaked by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the electric SUV is powered by an electric motor that is mounted on the front axle with either 182 PS or 201 PS depending on the variant.

Though performance figures are still unofficial, Honda has claimed that the e:NS1 and its twin has a 500 km range on a single charge.

For now, the all-electric HR-V is confirmed to be launched in China but that doesn’t rule out overseas markets. Last month, Honda announced that it aimed to make the country its hub for the new e:N Series models with future models planned to be developed in China and eventually exported overseas.

Also read: Honda to be fully EV by 2040, goodbye VTEC and Type R