Honda has released an image of its upcoming EV concept car ahead of its official debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Honda Super EV Concept is camouflaged and likely digital, but several design cues hint at a shape inspired by the City Turbo II.
The most obvious similarity is in the shape of its box flares, a signature styling feature of the 1983 City Turbo II. The Super EV also has sports round headlights recalling the City’s sealed beams and an asymmetric “grille” that features a charging port. The concept’s overall tall greenhouse shape is reminiscent of the City’s as well.
Though we never got it in the US, the original City was sold in the UK and Europe as the Jazz. That partially explains why a concept based on such an iconic Japanese car is being introduced to the world in the UK. The British debut is also fitting, perhaps, because in Japan the City Turbo II was nicknamed the bulldog, a theme that featured not so subtly n the car’s commercials.
We would also be remiss if we didn’t mention that the original City ads starred, notably, British ska band Madness. Incredibly, this concept will participate at Goodwood’s hillclimb, so it’s a running prototype and not just car show dressing.
Honda has been trying to revive the City as an electric vehicle for a couple of years now, and it looks like it’s finally happening. Unfortunately there’s no word on whether it comes with a folding motorcycle in the back.
