Honda Remains Committed to the Camper It Created for Its Discontinued EVs.
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In January, Honda surprised us by unveiling the Base Station, a towable camper that boasts a futuristic design aimed at being lightweight and flexible. It features modular elements that range from air conditioning to a shower and a fold-out futon that converts into a bed, catering to the owner's preferences for space utilization. It was a fascinating concept, highlighting Honda's potential in the recreational market; however, we lacked significant details regarding its production viability. All we knew was that Honda was committed to making it a reality.
A lot has shifted for Honda in the past three months. The company went from planning to launch three global electric vehicles (EVs) this year to none. Although the Base Station isn't an EV, it was envisioned as part of that broader ecosystem alongside the Motocompacto. Its design mirrored that of the canceled 0 Series EV, resembling the custom NSX trailer from the late Chris Cutler that captured the internet's attention years ago. The Base Station is also reported to utilize a standard lithium battery.
On Wednesday, Honda shared two brief videos showcasing the aspirations of its U.S.-based design team, highlighting their efforts beyond just car manufacturing into the wider mobility landscape. One of the videos, shared below, focused on the Base Station. Just under two minutes long, it’s definitely worth watching if January’s reveal caught your eye, as it displays a live, full-size model rather than the previous renderings. It's particularly interesting to see the kitchen section unfold from the outer wall, which includes a stovetop, sink, cutting board, and storage.
Inside the Design: Honda Base Station Prototype
Honda’s ongoing promotion of the Base Station has sparked our curiosity. The cancellation of the 0 Series vehicles doesn’t directly relate to the Base Station, but it is somewhat ironic that the first product expected to represent their progressive design language could turn out to be a camper. When I inquired with a Honda representative about the Base Station’s status regarding production, they responded, “We revealed the Base Station as a prototype with intent for production. We will have more to share later this year.”
Honda aims for the Base Station to be a lightweight camper that can be easily towed by most vehicles on the road, whether they are made by Honda or not. The latest video features a modern CR-V replacing the 0 Series SUV at the forefront. Honda continues to refer to it as a “time capsule” for families, which strongly suggests it is intended for commercial sale.
The question remains: what will the price be? The brand had previously stated they were considering a "competitive" price for the Base Station’s market segment. Campers are currently quite expensive, and my friend Andrew Collins estimated this one would be priced under $20,000. I suspect we will receive a more definitive price later this year, as Honda teases.
Designers at Honda Development & Manufacturing of America assess a CAD model of the Base Station prototype. Honda
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Honda Remains Committed to the Camper It Created for Its Discontinued EVs.
The Base Station was designed to resemble an SUV that Honda no longer intends to manufacture. However, the camper still appears to be on track for production.