Civic EV? Honda e:NP2 and e:NS2 details revealed by Chinese ministry documents - 204 PS, 68.8-kWh battery

At the 2023 Shanghai Motor Show, Honda China revealed two prototypes of its upcoming e:N series of electric vehicles (EVs) made for the Chinese market.

The Honda e:NP2 and Honda e:NS2 will be built by Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda respectively and are expected to be launched in 2024.

While the e:NP1 and e:NS1 essentially looked like EV versions of the Honda HR-V which is sold in Europe as the Honda e:Ny1 (Anyone), the second series has a more distinct design. Both e:NP2 and e:NS2 were teased in November and Honda’s Chinese partners have opened enquiries on their respective websites.

Ahead of their launches, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published some more details and photos of the production versions in its documents. Compared to the prototypes, the production versions of the e:NP2/e:NS2 are largely similar outside apart from the use of regular door handles.

According to a post by China-based automotive analyst Tycho de Feijter in an X (Twitter) post, the EV measures 4,787 mm long, 1,838 mm wide, and 1,570 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,735 mm. The length (+96 mm) and wheelbase (+34 mm) are more than the CR-V's though the pair of coupe SUVs are said to share the Honda e:N Architecture F platform as the e:NP1/e:NS1.

Also read: Watch out Chinese EVs, Honda e:NS2 and e:NP2 EV SUVs are shaping up to be a formidable rival

The automotive analyst reported that it would be powered by a single motor on the front axle with a 150-kW (204 PS) output and a 160 km/h top speed. This would be juiced up by a 68.8-kWh lithium-ion battery produced by CATL.

Overall, the e:NP2/e:NS2 kind of looks like what a fully-electric Civic hatchback/crossover amalgamation could look like. While the official photos of the interior are largely from the prototype, most could likely be carried over into production.

Sitting in the middle of the dashboard is a large touchscreen infotainment unit unlike the e:NP1/e:NS1/e:Ny1’s portrait-style unit. It utilises a button-style gear selector like the HR-V-looking EV and will feature a very practical rear boot space with seats that fold flat.

Also read: This "HR-V" is electric! 2023 Honda e:Ny1 launched in Europe as H brand's EV line-up expands

The Honda e:NP2/e:NS2 are slated to be launched in China soon but could this model be introduced globally like the first series? The e:Ny1 is planned to make its launch in Thailand as the e:N1 by this year with production of the first batch of units announced in December.

Also read: More CKD EVs for Thailand, 2024 Honda HR-V's electric twin; e:N1