Honda to reveal a pair of new green vehicles at Tokyo Auto Show

The Japanese carmaker is aiming to make a splash in the electric vehicle market

Honda Small Sports EV concept

Aiming to have one of the largest lineups at this year's Tokyo Auto Show, Honda has already shed some light on its Micro Commuter and Canopy concept vehicles, but it appears that's only the tip of the green iceberg. The company has just revealed a pair of prototypes that look both futuristic and environmentally friendly. The AC-X and Small Sports EV concepts aim to cater to two different segments of the electric vehicle market: Those looking for a practical hybrid for both short and long commutes, and those looking for a smaller, city-minded car for daily jaunts about town.

Honda AC-X hybrid

The AC-X (above) is a plug-in hybrid that can run purely on a charge from the onboard battery, but can also switch to an engine-driven mode, allowing it to make much longer trips than an electric-only vehicle. The car appears to take some design cues from both the current Honda Civic models, as well as the company's previous hybrid, the Honda Insight.
Little is known about Honda's Small Sports EV concept, and aside from a short press release blurb insisting that it was designed with "fun" driving in mind, all we have to go on is some official mockups (below). The car is a two-seater that looks much like a little brother to the AC-X. Its convertible top and sleek lines definitely give a futuristic vibe, and if Honda's promise of enjoyable driving mated with "excellent environmental performace" can be achieved, it may make a good candidate for production.

[via Autoblog]