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Honda's new electric SUV is almost here! Prototype of MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro rival makes mysterious debut

The SUV e:prototype is expected to lose little in its transition to a series-production model.

Honda is getting into the emerging all-electric SUV segment, with the just-revealed SUV e:Prototype hinting at a new zero-emissions model for the brand.

Revealed at this week’s Shanghai motor show, the SUV e:Prototype previews a yet-to-be-named crossover that will go on sale in domestic China from the second quarter of next year.

The series-production electric vehicle (EV) will be the first of its kind to be sold in the Chinese market by Honda, which plans to introduce 10 such models within five years.

While it remains to be seen if the all-electric SUV goes on sale in other markets, including Australia, it does appear to have the MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro firmly in its sights.

Aside from some exterior images, little else is known about the SUV e:Prototype, although several reports do suggest it is related to the recently revealed third-generation HR-V small SUV due to their striking design similarities.

Reports suggest the SUV e:Prototype is related to the third-generation HR-V small SUV due to their design similarities. Reports suggest the SUV e:Prototype is related to the third-generation HR-V small SUV due to their design similarities.

That said, Honda did announce a partnership with General Motors in 2020, with the former to use the latter’s modular EV platform and Ultium batteries for two zero-emissions models, one of which could be the series-production version of the SUV e:Prototype.

As always, time will tell, so stay tuned. In the meantime, though, the new HR-V is set to launch in Australia before the end of the first quarter of 2022, with a ‘self-charging’ hybrid powertrain all but confirmed to be a part of the local range.