Honda has decided to reach back into its archives and revive a cult classic for the 21st century.
The Japanese carmaker has revealed the Motocompacto foldable electric scooter, which is a modern-day take on the Motocompo folding scooter from the 1980s. It’ll be sold in the US.
“Motocompacto is uniquely Honda – a fun, innovative and unexpected facet of our larger electrification strategy,” said Jane Nakagawa, American Honda Motor Co vice president of the R&D business unit.
“Sold in conjunction with our new all-electric SUVs, Motocompacto supports our goal of carbon neutrality by helping customers with end-to-end zero-emissions transport”
The Honda Motocompacto is designed as a last-mile form of transportation and is powered by an front-wheel-mounted electric motor which is fed by a 6.8Ah battery pack.
The foldable electric scooter has a top speed of 24km/h and a claimed range of almost 20km. It can be fully charged in 3.5 hours when plugged into a 15-amp power outlet.
The Motocompacto’s seat, handlebars and foot pedals are able to fold into the body. The charging cable is able to be stored inside the electric scooter as well.
When all the Motocompacto’s folding elements are stowed the electric scooter resembles a MacBook charger.
In its ready-to-ride state, the Motocompacto measures 97cm long, 44cm wide, and 89cm tall. When folded it measures 74cm tall, 9cm wide, and 54cm tall. The electric scooter also weighs 18.7kg.
The Motocompacto has a phone app that allows riders to be able to adjust settings like lighting and ride modes.
The Japanese carmaker also plans to introduce a range of Motocompacto accessories, including decals, stickers, helmets, backpacks, and apparel.
The Honda Motocompacto is priced from US$995 (~A$1550), and can be purchased online or at Honda and Acura dealers. It’s unclear if the electric folding scooter will ever be offered in Australia.
Honda Motocompo
The original Honda Motocompo was available between 1981 and 1983 in Japan only as an genuine accessory for the Honda City. It was specially designed to fit in the boot of the hatchback.
Would you buy a Honda Motocompacto if it was available in Australia? Let us know in the comments below.
