What you’re looking at is the prototype of Honda’s next-generation EV, dubbed Honda 0 Alpha (stylised as 0 α), that has just been unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 (JMS 2025). Despite its cyberpunk looks, this here is not just a design concept, as Honda says the SUV will go on sale globally in 2027, starting with the Japanese and Indian markets.
According to Honda, the 0 Alpha will be added to the Honda 0 Series lineup, which already includes the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV prototypes, unveiled at CES 2025 earlier this year. The 0 Alpha will serve as a “gateway model,” designed to be the entry point to the 0 Series – hence the Alpha name, as per Greek alphabets.
Developed under the “Thin, Light, and Wise” philosophy, the Honda 0 Alpha retains the design language of the prior Honda 0 SUV. Visually, the 0 Alpha shares many similar cues with its larger sibling, including the basic silhouette, concealed rear-door handles, and aero-design alloy wheels.
Despite their strong similarities, the Honda 0 Alpha distinguishes itself with a full-width daytime running light (DRL) at the front. At the rear, the taillights feature a unified lighting element, combining the tail lamps, backup lamps, and turn signals into a single, uninterrupted, full-width setup.
This uninterrupted lighting, coupled with the alpha’s almost flat tailgate—what Honda refers to as the “screen areas”—is what defines the SUV’s futuristic, cyberpunk look.
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That’s pretty much all Honda has revealed, as the company remains cryptic on the interior and powertrain specifications of its 0 Alpha SUV prototype. However, if you squint hard enough at the visuals, you might see the centre-mounted display within the cabin, presumably for infotainment, which could also double as the digital gauge cluster for the driver, mirroring a Tesla-style setup.
The infotainment system in the 0 Alpha could feature Honda’s next-generation operating system, called ASIMO OS, a nod to the original Asimo robot. This system will combine the management of electronic control units for driver-assistance systems within the infotainment.
In contrast, the flagship 0 Saloon and 0 SUV siblings feature a highly screen-intensive interior, with a setup including pillar-to-pillar displays and full digital side mirrors. Continuing the cyberpunk aesthetic, the Saloon and SUV also boast a yoke-style steering wheel. However, the Alpha appears to opt for a conventional, round steering wheel.
It is also likely that the Honda 0 Alpha prototype will feature advanced SAE Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities, which allow for true “eyes-off” operation in specific driving conditions. This will be implemented together with artificial intelligence (AI). The AI will be programmed with the behaviour models of experienced drivers, allowing it to better adapt to various real-world driving situations.
