Click to enlarge.
Honda today held the world premiere of the first two models in the company’s new 0 Series line of battery electric vehicles at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show. The so called Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon (sedan in U.S. car speak) use the 0 as a reference to emissions levels and their SAE Level 3 eyes-off autonomous driving – not as seems appropriate here to the amount of styling that went into the boxes. Production models based on both prototypes will launch in North America in 2026 followed by global markets. Both will initially be built at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio.
Honda also debuted its original vehicle operating system (OS), the ASIMO OS, for use in Honda 0 Series models (read AutoInformed.com on: Honda Using ASIMO Robot to, well, Explain Itself). The use of the ASIMO name pays homage to the Honda ASIMO robot and the “Wise” value of the Honda 0 Series. Additionally, Honda announced an agreement with Renesas Electronics Corporation to develop a high-performance system-on-chip, to be introduced on the next generation of 0 Series models in the late 2020s, as well as a new energy service through the Home Energy Management System to enable customers to enjoy “a stress-free EV ownership experience with reduced environmental impact.”**
Honda 0 SUV Prototype
Honda presented the prototype of a mid-size EV SUV, which will be the first Honda 0 Series model to enter production based on the company’s newly developed dedicated EV architecture. Building on the Space-Hub concept model unveiled at CES 2024, the Honda 0 SUV applies the “Thin, Light, and Wise” approach to provide a spacious cabin with “outstanding “visibility and flexibility. The interior of the SUV prototype illustrates the company’s direction to offer a new value for its future Honda 0 Series EVs as a “space” for people. (read AutoInformed.com on: Car Star Wars – Honda Debuts New Global EV Line and Honda EV Hub in Ohio is Retooling)
As with the Honda 0 Saloon, the Honda 0 SUV will have technologies that embody the claimed “Thin, Light and Wise” development approach of the Honda 0 Series. This model will offer the value of an “ever-advancing” space through “ultra-personal optimization” and digital UX made possible by the ASIMO OS. The adoption of a steer-by-wire system enables integrated control of the by-wire devices, such as steering wheel, suspensions and brakes.
A production model based on the Honda 0 SUV prototype – built at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio – is scheduled to be introduced in the North American market in the first half of 2026, then in global markets, including Japan and Europe.
Honda 0 Saloon Prototype
The Honda 0 Saloon, the flagship model of the Honda 0 Series, evolves the concept introduced last year at CES 2024. It will have several technologies that embody the “Thin, Light and Wise” development approach that is claimed for the Honda 0 Series. The prototype has a claimed low height and sporty “wedge-shaped” styling that sets the Saloon apart from other EVs in the market. The low-slung cabin has an interior that is said to be more spacious than expected based on the exterior dimensions.
**Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (TSE: 7267) and Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723) announced on 7 January that they have signed an agreement to develop a high-performance system-on-chip (SoC) for software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
“The new SoC is designed to deliver leading-edge*¹ AI performance of 2,000*2 TOPS combined with a world-class power efficiency of 20 TOPS/W, and is slated for use in future models of the “Honda 0 (Zero) Series,” Honda’s new electric vehicle (EV) series, specifically those that will be launched in the late 2020s. [The agreement was announced during a Honda press conference held at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 7.]
“Honda is developing original SDVs to provide a mobility experience optimized for each individual customer in the Honda 0 Series. The Honda 0 Series will adopt a centralized E/E architecture that combines multiple electronic control units (ECUs) responsible for controlling vehicle functions into a single ECU. The core ECU, which serves as the heart of the SDV, manages essential vehicle functions such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Driving (AD), powertrain control, and comfort features, all on a single ECU. To achieve this, the ECU requires a SoC that provides higher processing performance than traditional systems, while minimizing any increase in power consumption.
“Renesas is committed to providing automotive semiconductor solutions that enable automobile OEMs to develop SDVs. Renesas’ R-Car solutions offer higher AI performance with the ability to customize by leveraging multi-die chiplet technology*3 and integrating AI accelerators*4 into its SoC.
“To realize the Honda vision for SDVs, Honda and Renesas reached an agreement to develop a high-performance SoC compute solution designed for core ECUs. Using TSMC’s leading-edge 3-nm automotive process technology, this SoC also can achieve a significant reduction in power consumption. Additionally, it realizes a system that utilizes multi-die chiplet technology to combine Renesas’ generic fifth-generation (Gen 5) R-Car X5 SoC series with an AI accelerator optimized for AI software developed independently by Honda. With this combination, the system aims to achieve one of the industry’s top class AI performances with power efficiency. The SoC chiplet solution will provide the AI performance required for advanced functions such as AD, while keeping power consumption low. Chiplet technology allows flexibility to create customized solutions and offers future upgrades for functional and performance improvements.
“Honda and Renesas have collaborated closely for many years. This agreement will accelerate the integration of advanced semiconductor and software innovations into the Honda 0 Series, enhancing the mobility experience for customers,” Honda and Renesas said in a joint release.
*Inevitable Footnotes
- Renesas estimate as of January 2025.
- Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS) is a metric of AI processing performance and measures the number of operations that can be performed per second. Based on a sparse AI model.
- Technology to build a system by combining multiple chips with different functions.
- Hardware designed for high-speed and high-efficiency AI (artificial intelligence) computational processing.
Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV Protypes Debut
Click to enlarge.
Honda today held the world premiere of the first two models in the company’s new 0 Series line of battery electric vehicles at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show. The so called Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon (sedan in U.S. car speak) use the 0 as a reference to emissions levels and their SAE Level 3 eyes-off autonomous driving – not as seems appropriate here to the amount of styling that went into the boxes. Production models based on both prototypes will launch in North America in 2026 followed by global markets. Both will initially be built at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio.
Honda also debuted its original vehicle operating system (OS), the ASIMO OS, for use in Honda 0 Series models (read AutoInformed.com on: Honda Using ASIMO Robot to, well, Explain Itself). The use of the ASIMO name pays homage to the Honda ASIMO robot and the “Wise” value of the Honda 0 Series. Additionally, Honda announced an agreement with Renesas Electronics Corporation to develop a high-performance system-on-chip, to be introduced on the next generation of 0 Series models in the late 2020s, as well as a new energy service through the Home Energy Management System to enable customers to enjoy “a stress-free EV ownership experience with reduced environmental impact.”**
Honda 0 SUV Prototype
Honda presented the prototype of a mid-size EV SUV, which will be the first Honda 0 Series model to enter production based on the company’s newly developed dedicated EV architecture. Building on the Space-Hub concept model unveiled at CES 2024, the Honda 0 SUV applies the “Thin, Light, and Wise” approach to provide a spacious cabin with “outstanding “visibility and flexibility. The interior of the SUV prototype illustrates the company’s direction to offer a new value for its future Honda 0 Series EVs as a “space” for people. (read AutoInformed.com on: Car Star Wars – Honda Debuts New Global EV Line and Honda EV Hub in Ohio is Retooling)
As with the Honda 0 Saloon, the Honda 0 SUV will have technologies that embody the claimed “Thin, Light and Wise” development approach of the Honda 0 Series. This model will offer the value of an “ever-advancing” space through “ultra-personal optimization” and digital UX made possible by the ASIMO OS. The adoption of a steer-by-wire system enables integrated control of the by-wire devices, such as steering wheel, suspensions and brakes.
A production model based on the Honda 0 SUV prototype – built at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio – is scheduled to be introduced in the North American market in the first half of 2026, then in global markets, including Japan and Europe.
Honda 0 Saloon Prototype
The Honda 0 Saloon, the flagship model of the Honda 0 Series, evolves the concept introduced last year at CES 2024. It will have several technologies that embody the “Thin, Light and Wise” development approach that is claimed for the Honda 0 Series. The prototype has a claimed low height and sporty “wedge-shaped” styling that sets the Saloon apart from other EVs in the market. The low-slung cabin has an interior that is said to be more spacious than expected based on the exterior dimensions.
**Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (TSE: 7267) and Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723) announced on 7 January that they have signed an agreement to develop a high-performance system-on-chip (SoC) for software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
“The new SoC is designed to deliver leading-edge*¹ AI performance of 2,000*2 TOPS combined with a world-class power efficiency of 20 TOPS/W, and is slated for use in future models of the “Honda 0 (Zero) Series,” Honda’s new electric vehicle (EV) series, specifically those that will be launched in the late 2020s. [The agreement was announced during a Honda press conference held at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 7.]
“Honda is developing original SDVs to provide a mobility experience optimized for each individual customer in the Honda 0 Series. The Honda 0 Series will adopt a centralized E/E architecture that combines multiple electronic control units (ECUs) responsible for controlling vehicle functions into a single ECU. The core ECU, which serves as the heart of the SDV, manages essential vehicle functions such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Driving (AD), powertrain control, and comfort features, all on a single ECU. To achieve this, the ECU requires a SoC that provides higher processing performance than traditional systems, while minimizing any increase in power consumption.
“Renesas is committed to providing automotive semiconductor solutions that enable automobile OEMs to develop SDVs. Renesas’ R-Car solutions offer higher AI performance with the ability to customize by leveraging multi-die chiplet technology*3 and integrating AI accelerators*4 into its SoC.
“To realize the Honda vision for SDVs, Honda and Renesas reached an agreement to develop a high-performance SoC compute solution designed for core ECUs. Using TSMC’s leading-edge 3-nm automotive process technology, this SoC also can achieve a significant reduction in power consumption. Additionally, it realizes a system that utilizes multi-die chiplet technology to combine Renesas’ generic fifth-generation (Gen 5) R-Car X5 SoC series with an AI accelerator optimized for AI software developed independently by Honda. With this combination, the system aims to achieve one of the industry’s top class AI performances with power efficiency. The SoC chiplet solution will provide the AI performance required for advanced functions such as AD, while keeping power consumption low. Chiplet technology allows flexibility to create customized solutions and offers future upgrades for functional and performance improvements.
“Honda and Renesas have collaborated closely for many years. This agreement will accelerate the integration of advanced semiconductor and software innovations into the Honda 0 Series, enhancing the mobility experience for customers,” Honda and Renesas said in a joint release.
*Inevitable Footnotes