In recent times, certain pop culture items have rekindled our love for the 1980s. Horror buffs would likely point to Stranger Things and the remake of It as keen examples, while concert-goers can tell us how great it was to “see New Kids On The Block and Rick Astley again.” Honda is doing their own ’80s resurgence with a new version of its Motocompacto, the personal scooter that was destined to “catch your eye,” according to the quirky advertising campaign. Described as a fresh take on personalized e-scooters, the Honda Motocompacto was designed for cities and campuses.
“Motocompacto is uniquely Honda – a fun, innovative, and unexpected facet of our larger electrification strategy,” said Jane Nakagawa, Vice President of the R&D Business Unit at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “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.”
Honda Motocompacto Specifications: Technical & Creative
The Honda Motocompacto was designed and developed by Honda engineers in Ohio and California – and they must have had a ton of fun working on a project that lends itself to both technical and creative aspects. On the technical end, the zero-emissions Motocompacto is powered by a permanent magnet, direct drive motor with a peak output of 490W and a range of up to 12 miles. The front-wheel drive e-scooter pumps out nearly 12 lb-ft. of torque for a max speed of 15 mph. A full charge can be achieved in 3.5 hours using a standard 110V outlet.
“Motocompacto is easy to use and fun to ride, but was also designed with safety, durability, and security in mind,” said Nick Ziraldo, project lead and design engineering unit leader at Honda Development and Manufacturing of America. “It uses a robust heat-treated aluminum frame and wheels, bright LED headlight and taillight, side reflectors, and a welded steel lock loop on the kickstand that is compatible with most bike locks.”
On the creative end, Honda designers left plenty of room for customization. The Motocompacto is a blank canvas, ideal for stickers, decals, custom paint, and unique skins. Honda has a lineup of Motocompacto accessories in the works that include a helmet, backpack, and apparel, among other items.
In an era of connectivity, the Honda Motocompacto will pair via Bluetooth to a smartphone. Through an app, riders can scroll through different lighting options and ride modes, similar to a four-wheeled vehicle with interior ambient lighting and drive modes. For Motocompacto owners who also need to hop on the bus or streetcar during their daily commute, the e-scooter can condense into its own stackable carrying case, kind of like a mini Transformer.
Honda Motocompacto MSRP
The Honda Motocompacto will arrive at Honda and Acura dealerships in November 2023 with an MSRP of $995. Two options are available: the aforementioned folded version and a ready-to-ride or non-foldable version, both weighing 41.3 lbs. The wheelbase is 29.2 inches, while the seat height is 24.5 inches, regardless of the configuration. A standard compact charger will stow on board each model.
Honda Motocompacto Gallery
