Max Verstappen debuts Honda 0 SUV ahead of Japanese Grand Prix
The all-electric Honda 0 SUV has debuted with four-time Formula 1 title winner, Max Verstappen, at the wheel.
The car broke cover at the Red Bull Showrun in Tokyo ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s newly-appointed teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, joined the Dutchman in the passenger seat for the event.
The Honda 0 SUV will be the first car from its manufacturer’s upcoming ‘0’ line of EVs scheduled to arrive during the first half of 2026. According to Honda, the 0 range will be underpinned by a new “Thin, Light, and Wise” design and construction philosophy centred around efficiency, technology, and driver involvement. As such, the 0 cars will feature shrink-wrapped motors, slimmer batteries, active aerodynamics, plus drive and brake-by-wire systems.
A Honda 0 sedan will also join the SUV towards the end of next year. Both will be built at Honda’s EV hub in Ohio, USA, and will be underpinned by Honda’s ASIMO OS.
The Honda 0 range is expected to grow to seven models by 2030, and immediate models will be built around a 400V bespoke electric platform. Not dissimilar to South Korean and German brands, initial models will come with 80-90kWh batteries. Honda says 800V underpinnings and larger batteries will arrive further down the line.
Honda is yet another Japanese manufacturer to fully embrace electrification following the lovable-but-flawed Honda e, and the underwhelming e:NY1 . Toyota has made a significant pivot towards a comprehensive EV line-up following the announcement of its C-HR+ and FT Me. An all-electric RAV4 and Hilux are also expected to be announced.
Mazda is another manufacturer to commit to a range of pure-electric vehicles. Earlier this year, it announced that up to 40% of its range would be fully electric by 2030 and also revealed its upcoming 6e EV. Despite its EV drive, Mazda recently killed off its MX-30, the only all-electric car in its current line-up.
