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Honda's Prius-fighter coming to Paris
Last month we showed you spy photos of Honda's Prius-fighting hybrid testing in the desert, and now we have confirmation that the dedicated hybrid will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October. The hybrid-only model, which looks awfully Prius-like when camo'd, will carry many styling cues from the handsome FCX Clarity. The Honda hybrid will go on sale in 2009, will start at under $20k and is rumored to achieve at least 60 mpg. Honda plans to build 200,000 units per year, with half of the production coming to our shores. The Honda hybrid will utilize a smaller, lighter version of the 1.3L engine from the Civic hybrid, with a CVT transmission and a nickel metal hydride battery pack.
The still unnamed hybrid hatch is just one piece of Honda's larger goal of producing 500k hybrids a year by 2012. Honda is also planning a battery-assisted Fit sub-compact, a new Civic hybrid, and a production version of the CR-Z coupe concept. We're excited to see Honda's dedicated hybrid, which will be the first real competition to the Prius and an honest to goodness alternative for the American consumer.
Gallery: Spy Shots: Honda Hybrid
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wiLx u Up 6:03PM (8/07/2008)
Go Honda Go!!
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Torrent 6:10PM (8/07/2008)
I bet it's just an FCX with a new name and Gas compatibility. Since it starts pricing at like 19K, I'd expect it to get more sales than the Prius.
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arturo 6:23PM (8/07/2008)
not nesesarly, since every time someone thinks about a fuel efficient car, they think prius. but it could be true if it proves better then toyota which is also working in an improved prius. i dont think toyota wants to loose its throne this early.
Bungle 10:28PM (8/07/2008)
@arturo:
You're right about the strong positioning of the Prius, but I tend to think that Honda has also built a strong reputation for fuel efficiency with cars like the Civic (not to mention the first hybrid on the road, the Insight).
It might take a little bit for consumers to catch on (if even that), but with the Prius shortages and all of the buyers already looking on Honda's lot for a fuel-efficient car, I think they'll do just fine.
The lower price is a big plus, too - I'm itching to buy a hybrid, but I've resisted since I rarely exceed $15K for a new car purchase. Once the Fit hybrid and CR-Z hit the road, I'm all over them - from what I understand, both should come in under $20K.
n2y2 3:23PM (9/04/2008)
@Bungle
The Prius was the first hybrid car on the road. The Insight was the first sold in the US. The Prius was for sale in Japan two years before the Insight.
Plus, Honda bungled its hybrid system. A Toyota hybrid shuts down its gas engine whenever possible - running on batter only. Going downhill? No gas used. Driving 30mph with a full battery? Zero fuel being burned.
Honda did not build a true hybrid car; they designed a gas car with an electric assist. Whenever, the wheels are turning, you are using fuel. Does not matter how full the battery is or how slowly you drive. That makes it less efficient than the Toyota design.
Until Honda goes back to the drawing board they will always lose the hybrid efficiency battle to Toyota.
why not the LS2LS7? 6:10PM (8/07/2008)
Please tell me it dumps IMA and goes to two-mode.
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arturo 6:21PM (8/07/2008)
put this hybrid stuff in the new s2000 and you have one happy costumer.
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Brent 6:46PM (8/07/2008)
That makes no sense at all.
Robert 6:32PM (8/07/2008)
Looks like an old Prius.
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DesiAuto 6:51PM (8/07/2008)
Now this is the car that Ford and GM needs, but Honda is building it.
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Samurai Jack 7:03PM (8/07/2008)
Don't you think it makes sense that they'll call it the Honda Clarity? The FCX is just the fuel cell version of the same car.
It will be a nice stopgap before they go all electric in a few years time.
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Mi key 7:03PM (8/07/2008)
@Arturo
I think it would be nice to see who comes out with the best or at least first Hybrid sports car. The S2000 would be a great candidate for that for sure. Either Hybrid or IMA unit would be fine.
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Snowdog 7:20PM (8/07/2008)
CVT Blech.
Put in a stick and I would be seriously interested.
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2004m3driver 7:50PM (8/07/2008)
CVT forces you to be efficient from what I heard. I guess their drivers hybrid car will come out later in the CR-Z hopefully. I am crossing my fingers for that one.
Snowdog 8:06PM (8/07/2008)
The manual insight got better mileage than the CVT version.
I think the real reason is people are getting lazier and don't want to shift.
MikeW 9:42PM (8/07/2008)
Honda decided to not include lean burn when you get the CVT.
Kattleox 7:33PM (8/07/2008)
They are re-releasing the insight in 5 door form? That's strange of them to do since the Insight was selling poorly after the Prius took the hybrid throne. I'd at least change the name and those ugly back fenders.
What? Thats all they did? Color me sold! My peppy little insight doesn't have ANYTHING on this! I don't care if the sporty 3 door can get up to 100 mpg. This new clarity thing is SWEET.
(all of this simply feuls my theory that Hondas are just iPods. Uninformed and ignorant people pick up a decent honda, treat it like trash, and then, 100,000 miles later when it is "handling poorly" because the back struts arent screwed in, they trade in their old one for a new, nearly identical, slightly better model. I have never seen a pre 2000--perhaps 2003--honda in good condition. The cars are troopers, and I respect them for that. I've seen people go 50,000 miles plus in a civic and then say "I need to CHANGE the oil? Isn't gas oil, cuz I change that all the time." The car will still run, but it sounds like a piggybank in a washing machine. Why not buy an Insignia and read the Chiltons? Or even a CRX and read the manual?)
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ymmv 12:35AM (8/08/2008)
I still can't believe that test mule is not a Prius even if it's carrying some Honda mechanicals.
And that pic, above, is that a rendering or ? It's so close to being a Honda, yet so clearly a Prius, is it possible that Honda is outsourcing something to Toyota? Talk about competitive gearing.
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BMWdownshift 2:15AM (8/08/2008)
i hope it could power my house in case of emergencies.
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