Honda Plans 3 New Cars with Focus on ICE, Hybrid, and EVs

With new timelines for electrification being set by automakers, Honda Cars India is said to be reviewing its range of powertrains as per this new strategy to meet the carmaker’s overall sustainability goal. The company will of course continue to offer ICE models for a while but will focus on hybrids and fully electric vehicles (EVs). By 2040, Honda hopes to offer a completely electrified lineup, which will include both EVs and fuel cell cars.

Honda to Launch 3 New Cars – Emphasizing ICE, Hybrid, and EV Powertrains

As part of these goals, Honda will be launching three new models in India by FY 2026-27. This will include an EV based on the Elevate, which will be Honda’s first fully electric vehicle in India. The company’s existing lineup includes Amaze, City, and Elevate. The recently launched third-generation Amaze is priced between ₹8 lakh and ₹10.90 lakh and comes with an extended feature list and a first-in-segment ADAS package.

For its upcoming models, Honda is developing a new modular platform, codenamed PF2, which will be localized to reduce costs. This platform will support multiple powertrains, including ICE, hybrids, and EVs, and may eliminate the need for a dedicated EV platform. This strategy contrasts with other automakers like Mahindra, Hyundai, and Maruti, which have developed born-electric platforms. Details on what Honda is calling its “other two models” through 2024 haven’t yet been disclosed, the Elevate-based EV is still in the works.

The other could be a brand new 7-seater SUV, probably the debut model to utilize the PF2 platform. This SUV is likely to slot above the Elevate in India’s line-up and is expected to share the same 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, with higher variants getting the possibility of a hybrid powertrain. Apart from that, Honda is preparing a sub-4m SUV to take on the likes of the Maruti Brezza and Tata Nexon, along with another EV that’s expected to be based on the PF2 platform due to arrive in 2029. This new-gen City sedan is also anticipated with major exterior updates and will be based on this platform.

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