Honda presented their version of the urban car of the future at The 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Four years have passed since the presentation, yet the Honda Micro Commuter Concept car is still ahead of its time. The reason is simple – it involved much more than green technology. This car was designed with the future urban life in mind – from green urban cities, to the impact technology and communication will have on our day-to-day lives. It has a small carbon print, with a 16.7 kW electric motor, producing 22 horsepower, at a top speed of 60 km/h and a range of 60 kilometers – same as the average urban commuting distance – with a three hour charge time. 
Having one seat in the front and two in the back, it was designed for one adult and two children – an ideal asset for modern parents. Its small dimensions – 2.50 × 1.25 × 1.44 m – will not be an inconvenience as Honda mentions: People will be surprised how roomy it is when they get in. The car is directly connected to your smart phone, thus having access to your personal information and favorite content. Based on this, it can communicate with its owner and change the driving experience altogether – especially with the two joysticks replacing the steering wheel. There is also an exterior display panel which allows drivers to communicate with each other through messages. Moreover, it features a Honda Motor Compo two-wheel EV, incorporated within the vehicle.
Honda designer Ryoji Iida wanted to create a car that’s smart like a smartphone. The interchangeable exterior mask and door panels allow people to personalize the car with their own photographs. You can easily change the cover of a smartphone or the sheet inside a tumbler to customize it based on your personal style. I wondered if a car’s exterior could be customized just as easily. Simply by sliding graphics sheets into the front, sides and rear, you can personalize this car and make it completely yours, Iida adds. The futuristic design and interactive features make this car very attractive. However, it remains a concept – if you are interested in purchasing one, you will have to settle with its production version, the 2013 Honda Micro Commuter. 
By Ana Cosma
