The 2011 Himiko Electric Sports Car: A Retro-Style Gem Ahead of Its Time

The terms “sports car” and “electric car” typically conjure up something modern, original, and tech-forward. The latter is hard to argue with — but the styling doesn’t always have to follow that rule. A perfect example is the Himiko from Japan’s Mitsuoka Motors, a model styled after classic cars of the 1940s.

It’s remarkable: even as the world races toward a high-tech future with ultra-modern design, there are countless enthusiasts who love — if not old technologies — then at least retro aesthetics. These are the same people willing to pay eye-watering sums for classic cars from the ’50s through ’70s. Just remember the 1949 Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta Touring that sold for several million dollars.

Mitsuoka Motors set out to merge modern automotive technology with vintage styling, and the result was the Himiko electric sports car — named after an ancient Japanese queen.

Originally based on the Mazda MX-5 NC, the Himiko was extensively reworked by Mitsuoka engineers. They turned it into an EV and redesigned its exterior in full retro fashion.

The result is a car that looks like it rolled off a late-1940s assembly line but packs the capabilities of a modern vehicle. With performance comparable to a 2.0-liter engine, a six-speed transmission, and 168 lithium batteries, the Himiko could travel up to about 311 miles on a single charge while reaching speeds of more than 124 mph.

Historically, Mitsuoka sold the Himiko electric sports car only in Japan, China, and select Southeast Asian markets.