Honda is preparing a Toyota Prius-fighting hybrid--with an all-new entry-level model that looks suspiciously like a Prius.
Spy shots of the car, caught in hot-weather testing in the southwestern United States, are of heavily camouflaged vehicles, but the Honda appears to carry styling cues from the FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle. It would be part of Honda's ambitious plan to bring more hybrid, diesel and other alternative powertrain technologies to the market as fuel prices soar.
Although Honda hasn't commented on the car, reports indicate the four-door hatchback, five-seat front-driver replaces the two-seat Insight, which ended production in the 2007 model year. The sub-Civic Hybrid-priced model is likely due in 2009 as a 2010 model. The Civic Hybrid now lists for $23,270.
Honda, with its long-standing engineering heritage, is obviously increasing its small-car fleet for the United States, a move to counter rising gas prices. Add this to the mix of the B-class Honda Fit, the Civic and the already announced CR-Z coupe, and the firm will have a full family of fuel sippers.
In addition to the obvious Toyota influence on the exterior design, the car carries a bit of a Ford vibe--notice the three-bar grille; curiously there's even a (blue?) oval in the middle of it.
The car's hybrid powertrain is expected to use Honda's proven Integrated Motor Assist technology, rather than lithium-ion batteries still being developed for automotive applications. Honda is aiming to make 200,000 of these annually, with about half of that earmarked for the United States. |
