Upcoming Honda e will not have side mirrors

THE Honda e fully electric car, set to be unveiled later this year (reservations for the car are being accepted now in the UK), will no longer be fitted with side-view mirrors.

According to Honda Cars, the car will instead be equipped with the brand’s Side Camera Mirror System. Already seen on the prototype version, the technology will mark a first in the compact car segment. Honda said the system “brings significant benefits for styling, safety, aerodynamics and refinement.”

The Side Camera Mirror System replaces conventional side-view mirrors with compact cameras providing live images to two six-inch screens inside the vehicle. Integrated at either end of the dashboard, the screens promise a natural feel and vision for the driver, Honda said.

It added that compared to conventional door mirrors, the cameras are 90% more aerodynamic, resulting in a 3.8% improvement for the entire vehicle. Wind noise caused by the side mirrors are reduced as well.

Honda said the e’s driver can choose between “normal view” and “wide view.” The latter extends the field of vision and lessens blind spots by as much as 50%. In reverse gear, guidelines appear on the screens.

The e compact electric car forms part of Honda’s target to have all the cars it sells in Europe to be either fully electric or hybrid powered by 2025.