Honda EV-STER bound for production

The Honda EV-STER (shown on the right) is a subcompact roadster and in auto show concept form, it was powered by an electric drivetrain that allows it to travel right around 99 miles with a top speed of 99 miles per hour and a 0-37mph time of 5.0 seconds. That isn’t blistering fast by the standards of many sports car builders but considering that the EV-STER would offer emission free driving while reaching those performance and range measures. However, Honda hasn’t dished the dirt on what type of powerplant the EV-STER would have shy of the fact that it would be all electric – although some speculate that there could be a version with a range-extending gasoline engine that could increase the capacity of the EV-STER substantially. Also, to bolster the performance capabilities, the EV-STER Concept features an adjustable suspension setup that allows the driver to choose between Mild, Mid and Hard settings for the perfect ride in every situation…including sporty, spirited driving.

The Honda EV-STER is smaller than other roadsters on the market today like the Mazda MX-5 so while it offers room for two – there might not be room for much else if the company packs an electric drivetrain AND a range-extending gas engine into this tiny roadster. Granted, there are some aspects of the EV-STER roadster concept that aren’t likely to see production, such as the super high tech headlights and the fighter-plane style steering controls but in every other way, this compact EV looks like one car that would offer as much “fun to drive” factory as it does responsible driving with zero emissions. The stretched wheelbase should offer incredible stability and handling while the tiny, lightweight body and interior would boost both the performance and electric range of this sporty roadster.

Honda had hoped to hammer home the theory of a responsibly “green” yet sporty car with the CR-Z hatchback and while the looks of that new hatchback fit the part – the hybrid drivetrain offering falls a little short in some people’s opinions to support the “sporty” nature of the CR-Z. However, should the Honda EV-STER see production in anything similar to the car that the world met at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show…it could be the vehicle that introduces the world to an affordable electric vehicle that truly lives up to the title of a “sports car”.

Check out the gallery on the right by clicking the thumbnails for a closer look at the Honda EV-STER Concept and stay tuned to TorqueNews for all of your automotive news!

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The new Acura NSX Concept to debut at 2012 NAIAS
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2012 North American Car and Truck Finalists Announced

Source: Autoblog