Skuter elektrik Honda EM1 e: memenangi anugerah berprestij Red Dot Design Award. Honda sebenarnya telah memenangi empat anugerah sekaligus, dengan dua untuk skuter elektrik mereka.
EM1 e: dilancarkan pada tahun lepas sebagai skuter elektrik Honda yang pertama menggunakan solusi bateri Honda Mobile Power e boleh tukar. PCX Electric sebelum ini, sebaliknya, adalah skuter elektrik pengeluaran pertama Honda tetapi tidak menampilkan bateri boleh tukar.
Satu lagi skuter Honda yang memenangi anugerah reka bentuk ialah Honda Motocompacto. Ia jelas merupakan penghormatan kepada Honda Motocompo, yang telah dihasilkan dari 1981 – 1983. Ia adalah “skuter lipat” yang cukup kecil untuk dimuatkan dalam but hatchback Honda City Turbo II. Jika anda terjumpa lagi Motocompo ini, ia amat comel.
Versi semasa adalah berkuasa elektrik, dan kelihatan jauh lebih besar daripada pendahulunya. Honda berkata reka bentuk Motocompacto “juga membolehkan pemperibadian pelanggan dan jahitan melalui aplikasi pelekat dan hiasan lain.” Jadi sediakan set sticker Manga dan Hello Kitty anda!
Dua lagi anugerah adalah untuk mesin pemotong rumput robotik Honda dan enjin bot. Mereka juga pernah memenangi anugerah Red Dot Award untuk XL750 Transalp dan CB750, sebelum ini.
Pembuat lain yang telah memenangi anugerah ini termasuk Ducati dan Yamaha.
The Honda EM1 e: electric scooter has won a Red Dot Design Award. Honda had actually won four awards at one go, with two for their electric scooters.
The EM1 e: made its debut last year as Honda’s first production electric scooter to use the Honda Mobile Power e swappable battery. The previous PCX Electric, on the other hand, was Honda’s first production electric scooter but did not feature a swappable battery.
Another Honda scooter to win the design award was the Honda Motocompacto. It is clearly an homage to the Honda Motocompo, which saw production from 1981 – 1983. It was a foldaway scooter, small enough to fit in the boot of the Honda City Turbo II hatchback. Now how is that for a cute last yard solution?
The current version is electric-powered, and looks to be much bigger than its predecessor. Honda says the Motocompacto’s design “also enables a high level of customer personalization and tailoring through the application of stickers and other decorations.” So get your Manga and Hello Sticker sets ready!
The other two awards were for Honda’s robotic lawnmower and outboard boat engine. They had also won the Red Dot Award for the XL750 Transalp and CB750, previously.
Other manufactures who have won this award include Ducati and Yamaha.
In a bid to rekindle the spirit of an iconic concept from the past, Honda has unveiled its latest innovation, the Motocompacto.
The original Honda Motocompo faced an abrupt discontinuation four decades ago.
Honda’s new offering seeks to redefine urban commuting with its portable and foldable design.
The Motocompo, originally introduced in the 1980s, experienced a brief two-year production run before falling short of sales expectations. However, the idea of a compact, foldable motorcycle designed for the last leg of a commute has remained intriguing. Honda now introduces the “Motocompacto” – a modern-day revival of this concept.
Last year, Honda unveiled its plans for an electric-powered Motocompacto, and now, the bike has been officially introduced to the market. This compact electric vehicle will be available at Honda dealerships worldwide beginning November.
While the Motocompacto does not boast impressive performance metrics or extensive range, it serves its purpose as a last-mile commuting solution. With a range of just 20 kilometres on a full charge and a top speed of 24km/h, the Motocompacto falls into the same category as stand-up electric scooters, eliminating the need for licenses or registration.
The Motocompacto’s design is reminiscent of a product Apple might produce—a sleek, white, briefcase-shaped box that can quickly transform into a rideable vehicle. The handlebars fold out from the top and are adjustable in height. The seat, cleverly stored inside the bike when folded, securely clips into place on the rear. Additionally, the footpegs and sidestand fold out, while the rear wheel slides backward to extend the wheelbase.
One notable aspect of the Motocompacto’s design is its front-wheel-drive system, powered by a hub-mounted electric motor. The rear end of the bike is solely responsible for braking via a cable-operated drum. The electric motor produces a peak output of 490W and 16Nm of torque.
Charging the Motocompacto is a straightforward process, as it can be replenished using a standard household socket. The 6.8Ah battery charges fully in just 3.5 hours, with the charger conveniently stored within the vehicle, accessible via a port located just below the compact headlight. A dedicated smartphone app provides users with essential information, such as battery status, route planning, and customizable settings.
While the Motocompacto may not match the performance and range of its 1980s predecessor, it successfully addresses the issues that led to the original Motocompo’s discontinuation.
Unlike the original, which was large and heavy at 45kg pounds and 1168mm in length, the Motocompacto is compact, lightweight, and electric-powered, making it suitable for vertical or horizontal storage without the risk of leakage.
When folded, it measures a mere 54cm by 74.1cm and is just 9cm wide, allowing for easy stacking and storage. Moreover, it weighs only 19kg, making it highly maneouverable. The Motocompacto simplifies controls, eliminating the need for gears or a clutch, with just a thumb throttle and a single brake lever.
Interestingly, the Motocompacto’s distribution strategy sets it apart. Instead of traditional motorcycle dealerships, it will be available at car dealerships, aligning with Honda’s original Motocompo concept, which was introduced alongside the Honda City car in Japan.
Jane Nakagawa, Vice President of the R&D Business Unit at American Honda Motor Co. Inc., shared her insights, stating, “Motocompacto is uniquely Honda: a fun, innovative, and unexpected facet of our larger electrification strategy. Sold in conjunction with our new all-electric SUVs, Motocompacto supports our goal of carbon neutrality by helping customers with end-to-end zero-emissions transport.”
Honda dicanang bakal mengembalikan model ikonik, MotoCompo, apabila pengeluar motosikal Jepun itu mempatenkan nama Motocompacto.
Tindakan itu sekaligus beri bayangan skuter boleh lipat, MotoCompo akan kembali bukan sahaja dengan nama baharu malah enjin baru.
Motocompacto dijangka akan bernadikan enjin elektrik berbanding enjin 49cc dengan 2.5hp yang diguna pakai pada model MotoCompo sebelum ini.
MotoCompo merupakan skuter bersaiz kecil yang dilancarkan pada 1981 dan terus dihasilkan sehingga 1983 yang direka untuk dimuatkan ke dalam ruang letak barang di belakang Honda City, ketika itu.
Meskipun hanya dijual untuk tempoh tiga tahun namun lebih 50,000 unit MotoCompo telah pun diserahkan kepada pembeli yang kemudiannya menjadi ikutan orang ramai.
Berdasarkan model konsep yang ditayangkan bagi Motocompacto, dijangka Honda akan melakukan beberapa perubahan apabila model ini dibawa ke peringkat pengeluaran.
One of the most iconic Honda scooters has to be the Honda Motocompo and the internet is currently buzzing with the prospect of a new model of this ‘folding scooter’. That’s right, folks. The Motocompo is making a comeback! (more…)
