If you’ve been paying any attention to the car world lately, you know things are getting weird. We're in this awkward middle ground where everyone is talking about electric vehicles (EVs), but not everyone is actually buying them. Meanwhile, hydrogen is lurking in the background like a dark horse that refuses to go away. Right now, Honda in the news is essentially a story about a massive, 77-year-old giant trying to reinvent its entire DNA without losing the "fun to drive" factor that made people love the Civic and Accord in the first place.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a gamble.
Just this week, Honda basically hit the reset button on their identity. They unveiled a brand-new logo—a thinner, more minimalist "H"—and announced a "second founding." It's not just corporate fluff. They are deep into a multi-billion dollar pivot that involves everything from solid-state batteries in Japan to a massive "EV Hub" in Ohio. But here’s the kicker: while they’re chasing the future, they’re also going back to Formula 1 in a big way and even building futuristic campers. It's a lot to keep track of.
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The 0 Series and the Big EV Pivot
The biggest thing you’ll see when looking up Honda in the news is the "0 Series." This is their "from scratch" approach to electric cars. For a while, Honda was lagging. They gave us the Prologue, which was fine, but it was basically a Chevy under the skin. The 0 Series is their first real, in-house attempt to show what a Honda EV should actually be.
They’re following a philosophy they call "Thin, Light, and Wise." Most EVs right now are heavy, bloated tanks because of the batteries. Honda is trying to go the other way. They want to make the batteries thinner and the cars more aerodynamic.
We were supposed to get the sci-fi-looking "Saloon" (the one that looks like a low-slung wedge) this year, but internal updates from American Honda’s Jessica Fini have confirmed that while the Acura RSX and the 0 Series SUV are still on track for late 2026, the Saloon is being pushed to 2027. It's a bit of a bummer if you were waiting for the flagship, but it shows they aren't willing to rush a half-baked product.
What makes the 0 Series different?
- Asimo OS: They’re building their own operating system to handle everything from self-driving to the radio.
- Steer-by-Wire: No physical steering column. It’s all electronic, which sounds scary to some but allows for some wild interior designs.
- Level 3 Autonomy: They’re aiming for "eyes-off" driving in traffic jams on the highway.
Hydrogen is the Dark Horse
While everyone else is arguing about charging stations, Honda is quietly doubling down on hydrogen. The 2026 Honda CR-V e:FCEV is already hitting the streets, mostly in California. It’s a fascinating piece of tech because it’s a "plug-in fuel cell."
Basically, you get 29 miles of pure battery range for grocery runs, but you also have hydrogen tanks that give you 270 miles of total range. You can refill the hydrogen in about three minutes. The problem? Finding a station. Honda knows this, which is why they are also looking at hydrogen for big stuff—like semi-trucks and stationary power generators for factories. They recently announced a new fuel cell module that’s 50% cheaper to build and twice as durable as their old ones. That’s a massive jump in efficiency.
Formula 1 and the Aston Martin Marriage
If you’re a racing fan, 2026 is the year circled in red on your calendar. Honda is officially ending its "sorta-retired" status and becoming the factory power unit supplier for Aston Martin. This is huge. They’re leaving Red Bull (who are building their own engines now) to join forces with Lawrence Stroll’s ambitious team.
On January 20th, Honda is scheduled to reveal their 2026 F1 power unit in Tokyo. This engine has to follow new rules: a 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and electric power, running on 100% sustainable fuels.
The most interesting part? They’re reuniting with Adrian Newey, the legendary designer who just signed with Aston Martin. Koji Watanabe, the president of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), has been very vocal about this. He basically said that success in 2026 isn't just about winning races immediately; it’s about making sure the partnership functions as one integrated team. F1 is "cruel," as Watanabe put it, but Honda is coming back because they want to prove their hybrid tech is the best in the world.
The Weird Stuff: Rockets and Campers
Sometimes Honda in the news gets a bit "out there." Did you know they’re landing rockets now? Their R&D wing recently pulled off Japan's first successful takeoff and landing of a reusable rocket in Hokkaido. It’s part of their "mobility in the third dimension" plan.
Closer to home, they just unveiled the "Base Station Prototype." It’s a lightweight, towable travel trailer designed specifically to be pulled by small SUVs and EVs.
- It’s got a "Man Maximum/Machine Minimum" design.
- The roof pops up to give you 7 feet of standing room.
- It has solar panels and an induction cooktop.
- You can even swap out the windows for different accessories.
It’s a clear signal that they want to keep the "lifestyle" part of their brand alive even as they transition to electric.
Why Should You Care?
At the end of the day, all this corporate maneuvering matters because it dictates what you'll be driving (or being driven in) three years from now. Honda is betting that people still want cars that feel light and engaging, not just heavy tablets on wheels.
They are also being surprisingly honest about the hurdles. They aren't pretending that hydrogen stations are everywhere or that solid-state batteries are ready for prime time tomorrow. They’ve finished their pilot production line for solid-state batteries in Sakura City, but we likely won't see those in a production car until the very end of the decade.
What most people get wrong about Honda right now is thinking they’re just another car company. Between the rockets, the F1 engines, the hydrogen generators, and the new EV platform, they’re trying to become a tech-and-energy company that just happens to make really good cars.
Actionable Insights for Buyers and Enthusiasts
If you’re looking at the current Honda in the news and wondering how to play it, here’s the move.
First, if you're an EV shopper, the Prologue is a solid "now" car, but the 0 Series SUV coming in late 2026 will be the real-deal Honda engineering. It might be worth waiting if you want their actual "DNA."
Second, if you live in California and hate charging, keep an eye on the CR-V e:FCEV leasing programs. Honda is offering some pretty aggressive deals to get people into hydrogen.
Third, keep an eye on the Tokyo Auto Salon releases. The "Sport Line" and "Trail Line" HRC models (like the Civic Type R HRC Concept) are likely going to turn into real performance parts or trims you can actually buy soon.
To stay ahead, you should:
- Track the F1 power unit reveal on January 20th to see how their hybrid tech is evolving; it usually trickles down to consumer cars within 4-5 years.
- Watch the Ohio EV Hub updates. When that factory goes fully online later this year, it will be the signal that the 0 Series is ready for the mass market.
- Check your local dealer for "HRC-spec" accessories starting in late 2026 if you want that racing tech on your daily driver.