Honda's e:N2 is a fresh electric car with sporting intentions, but Australia misses out - again!

Honda has revealed a concept signalling the next model in its e:N electric car series, the e:N2, during the fifth China International Import Expo.

Built on a platform exclusively for the e:N series, the e:N2 follows the more traditionally styled e:NS1 and e:NP1 SUVs, which draw more from Honda’s current design language.

The e:N2 concept is however more in line with the more futuristic teasers revealed by Honda on the announcement of its plan to bring 10 electric cars to China over the next five years.

Of the three models (pictured below), the e:N2 most closely resembles the e:N Coupe concept, suggesting an e:N GT and e:N SUV concept should follow.

Though specifications for the eN:2 aren’t forthcoming yet, Honda CEO and president Toshihiro Mibe said the e:N2 was designed with fun driving in mind.

“The e:N2 Concept represents the value of our e:N Series, which will ‘redefine the fun EVs can offer to customers’ with their unique driving pleasure, the value as a mobility space and design,” he said.

“In China, Honda will continue delivering a broad range of electrified mobility products unique only to Honda and experience our rebirth into an electric mobility brand.”

The only tech details provided by Honda are that the e:N2 will come with “the latest Honda CONNECT features as well as the effective presentation of lighting and scents”.

Of Honda’s 10 e:N electric cars bound for China before the end of 2026, the aforementioned e:NS1 and e:NP1 are the only two that have gone on sale. In addition, Honda won’t introduce any new ICE-powered cars after 2030.

The e:N series of EVs aren’t destined for Australia, though.

In May this year, former Honda Australia managing director Stephen Collins hinted that plans are underway but wouldn’t reveal timing.

“Our focus over the next year or two is on hybrid,” Mr Collins said.

“We’re extremely confident globally, we’ll have a good menu of BEVs to bring to this market.

“Whether that’s the e or whether it’s brand-new models that we developed for other advanced markets, we’re still working through that.

“It’s clearly a big part of our future.

“The question is absolutely when, at this stage we can’t put a timeframe on it, but I think the other takeaway is that over the next one to two years, hybrid is our focus.”

Globally, Honda plans to have 30 new electric cars by 2030, two of which have already been teased as being sports or ‘specialty’ models expected to carry on two iconic nameplates from the brand - NSX and Prelude.

Currently, Honda Australia sells hybrid versions of its HR-V and its Accord sedan, while the CR-V is yet to get its electrified powertrain.