TOCHIGI, Japan — From Tokyo we moved to another interesting part of our trip — the opportunity to experience and test drive the next-generation technology of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Fom Tokyo, we took our shuttle bus to Utsunumiya City in Tochigi close to three hours drive.
Here, we joined motoring journalists from Thailand and Vietnam in the Honda Automotive Technology Workshop at Honda’s main R&D.
Key technologies introduced at the workshop included the platform for next-generation hybrid models, hybrid-electric system technologies for new large-size hybrid models scheduled to be launched in North America in the second half of the 2020s, and key technologies to be applied to the production model of a compact EV based on the Super-ONE Prototype, which made its world debut at the Japan Mobility Show 2025.
Honda positions the “environment” and “safety” as priority issues that need to be addressed in order for Honda to continue offering the joy and freedom of mobility to people in a sustainable manner.
Based on this belief, Honda has set ambitious goals of achieving “carbon neutrality for all of its products and corporate activities” and “zero fatalities from traffic collisions involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles,” globally by 2050.
Honda will continue to pursue its value proposition in the electrified era: The “joy of driving” experienced by the driver while driving with a sense of oneness with their vehicle. Regardless of powertrain type, EV or HEV, Honda will continue to build its products based on the Honda M/M Concept *1, a human-centric approach to Honda car design, and pursue the “joy of driving,” offering comfort and fun not only to the driver but to all occupants.
We test-drove four cars but the one that impressed us most is the Super One, a small full EV that enjoys Honda’s new EV technology. Driving it at the Honda Proving Grounds gave me the impression that this is a potential bestseller in the coming months in Japan and the rest of Asia.
We had a flawless, joyful ride using three laps on the course complete with straights, chicanes, hairpins and tight passage.
The Super One has two modes — Normal and Boost. The latter gives the car an extra power for faster and exhilarating drive. It is small but spacious for a five -seater, stable on the curves and is ideal for urban driving.
Heavy components are consolidated and the center of gravity is lowered by placing the thin battery — the key component of an EV at the center of the underbody. In this way, the Super-ONE Prototype realized both one of the lightest bodies among A-segment EVs and a center of gravity lower than that of conventional gasoline-powered compact cars.
The production model based on the Super-ONE Prototype will be equipped with “Boost Mode” developed exclusively for this model.
The Boost Mode increases the power output to enable the power unit to fully unleash its performance potential, while also synchronizing the simulated seven-speed transmission and the Active Sound Control system to generate powerful engine sound and sharp gearshift feel, as if driving an engine-powered vehicle with a traditional multi-gear transmission.
We also test drove an SUV with a mid-size platform and what looked like a next- generation Civic. These, plus a ride and drive of the new Prelude, gave us a view of the more exciting times ahead for Honda.