The Toyota Prius has long set the standard for the entry-level hybrid segment, but Honda will look to challenge the Prius with its own hybrid-only model early next year. While Honda is keeping pretty tight lipped about the new hybrid vehicle, Honda president Takeo Fukui has released a bit of info on the upcoming car.
Despite most automakers making the jump to lithium-ion battery packs in their next-generation hybrid vehicles, Fukui says that Honda will stick with nickel-metal hydride batteries in the upcoming model. While lithium-ion batteries do provided more power and take up less space, Fukui doesn’t feel that the technology is ready for mass production. “Lithium-ion batteries are still not usable from our perspective,” Fukui told Automotive News. “In terms of reliability and durability, I must say there still remain some concerns. I don’t think they are necessarily best suited for mass-produced vehicles.”
The use of nickel-metal hydride should also keep the new hybrid’s sticker price below that of the current Civic hybrid.
Fukui also revealed that the hybrid’s powertrain would be based on the Civic hybrid’s 1.3L unit, although it will be lighter and more compact — thanks to a redesigned motor and engine control unit.
As far as styling goes, look for the yet-to-be-named hybrid — although Fukui says the vehicle will have a global name like Civic or Accord — to take many of its styling cues from Honda ’s hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity. Honda will unveil the new model at this September’s Paris Motor Show.
