Honda is one of the big names that will be participating at the KL International Motor Show (KLIMS) 2024 which is set to take place from 5 to 11 December at MITEC. Aside from its extensive vehicle lineup from City to CR-V, the Japanese giant will also showcase several special vehicles during the event.
Honda eVTOL: The brand’s “flying car”
One of the models that Honda will showcase at KLIMS 2024 is not exactly a car. Instead, it will be a “flying car” called Honda eVTOL.
Do manage your expectations though: the unit that will be displayed at KLIMS 2025 is a scale model. Originally announced in 2021, the Honda eVTOL aimed to make air transportation “easier and more casual,”.
For this project, the company is generally using all the knowledge that it has learned from developing the HondaJet and various hybrid technologies including the Formula 1 power unit. It has also incorporated elements from the Honda Sensing driver assistance system into the eVTOL project.
The eVTOL name stands for electric vertical take-off and landing which pretty much explained the nature of the aircraft. That being said, Honda is planning to use a hybrid power unit for the aircraft which would allow it to travel up to 400km.
The power unit would enable the Honda eVTOL to become an intercity transportation vehicle. This is as opposed to a fully electric power unit would reduce the aircraft’s range to around 100km.
Equipped with 8 rotors for take-off alongside 2 more rotors for propulsion, the exact status of the Honda eVTOL project is still unclear. However, it has been reported that the Honda Research Institute in California has received the green light from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to fly a test vehicle for the next two years.
Honda Motocompacto: A modern take on the Motocompo
Deemed as the successor to the Motocompo, Honda Motocompacto was first revealed to the world in late 2023. Unlike its 1980 counterpart which was fitted with a 50cc engine, the modern version features a 490W (0.7hp) electric motor that also produces 16Nm of torque.
Powered by a 6.8Ah battery, the foldable electric scooter can deliver up to 19km of range and has a top speed of 24km/h. Honda claimed that it takes around 3.5 hours to charge the Motocompacto.
Honda Malaysia did not provide many details in its KLIMS 2024’s announcements although it did say that visitors are able to “experience” the Motocompacto during the event. With that, we believe that you can take a ride with the highly compact electric scooter which is being sold in the U.S. for USD995 (~RM4,445).
Honda Prelude Concept: The return of a legend
The original Honda Prelude was released back in 1978 but it was “retired” in 2001. Fast forward to 22 years later, Honda decided that it was the best time to bring back the Prelude name into the market although the production model is expected to be released sometime in 2025 or 2026.
However, the company has yet to release any in-depth information regarding the sports coupe even though the sleek-looking concept model seems fit for production. The only thing that Honda has revealed to the world that the new Prelude will feature a hybrid powertrain.
Honda Malaysia said that this is the first time that the Prelude Concept is being displayed in Asia outside of Japan. On a related note, we also have been hearing rumours that the e:N1 EV might be shown at KLIMS 2024 too but this has not yet been confirmed by Honda Malaysia so far.
