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.
03/30, 8:47 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Civic Hybrid has a 1.3L engine, not 1.8 as the story mis-states. My prediction on the name: The Insight.
03/30, 8:51 PM
posted by:
autonut
Probably not Insight: bad karma.
03/30, 9:09 PM
posted by:
inspire
It will definitely be an English word — Japanese culture loves to use English (even if they totally butcher the language). It (hopefully) will be something they can pronounce without it sounding totally wrong.
Insight? Probably not — don’t want the stigma of that car as their ‘new’ stand alone hybrid model.
03/30, 9:33 PM
posted by:
Jigs
and woah it looks like all the other Hybrids. a wedge shape old peoples car. why cant they make them look more sporty instead of an ovel egg car.
03/30, 10:09 PM
posted by:
doctrsnoop
^Um, because people who buy these cars are more interested in making a statement that they are “green” than being sporty. And at this time, some funky egg shaped car says green.
03/30, 10:41 PM
posted by:
Vroom
It also says low drag as in efficient aerodynamics.
03/30, 10:48 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Low drag doesn’t have look awkward. If indeed this comes out looking like it fell out of the Hybrid bubble gum machine it’s because they wanted it to.
03/30, 11:25 PM
posted by:
inspire
^ The front of most vehicles today look similar due to the pedestrian safety features mandated by European countries. Probably be too difficult (read: too expensive) to engineer different shapes for a ‘world’ car. Sad how every manufacturer will start resembling one other in basic design.
Remember — this is Honda. All about conservative designs and maximize profits.
03/31, 12:26 AM
posted by:
A4
are you stupid? conservative designs? umm apparently you havent seen the new civic or the retarded looking accord sedan. Or the element. Or the fit, etc. Hondas designs are far from conservative, but theyre just odd, not beautiful.
03/31, 1:17 AM
posted by:
LJ
I wonder if this thing will eat into some Civic sales,(supposed to cost less thn the current Civic Hybird, which is 22-23K?). if people re buying for MPG,like we would(when you drive 130 miles per day for work..you Need MPG…don’t care if it’s from clean diesel, hybrid…whatever).
03/31, 10:21 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
They should call it the “HonTard” because it is retarded looking and only retarded Hondaphiles will buy it.
03/31, 12:44 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Everbody is chasing the prius in this arena.
snoop “Um, because people who buy these cars are more interested in making a statement that they are ‘green’ than being sporty. And at this time, some funky egg shaped car says green.”
well said.
A4: The new accord is attractive.
03/31, 5:18 PM
posted by:
FordTaurusForever
I like this Honda Clarity its verty Svelte in general Honda is awesome even though I am a Ford Dude. I will be anxious to see the all Hybrid variant come out at Honda when it does.
03/31, 5:20 PM
posted by:
FordTaurusForever
mayer_ray_nagin that’s like saying you could say you saw and absolutely beautiful girl in a Thong Bikini and calling her a dog ok. This is a sleek looking car by anyones’ standard ok. I’m American and I like it. But the Taurus and Ford hopefully will give em a run for the money.
03/31, 8:22 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
They will start leasing these in California as a test, you wont be able to buy them unless you wanna fork down the 80,000+ price for one.