Two new hybrids from Honda in 2009

A hybrid-only car based on the CR-Z concept will come out in 2009.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Honda announced it will unveil a new global hybrid car at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, which will launch in 2009 along with another hybrid based on the CR-Z concept. Both cars will be produced as hybrid models without a gas-only counterpart, similar to Toyota's Prius. These hybrids are part of Honda's strategy to sell 400,000 hybrids per year by 2011. The new global hybrid will launch in Europe first, then come to North America. Both hybrids will use updated versions of Honda's integrated motor assist (IMA) mild hybrid system, currently used in the Honda Civic Hybrid. This system provides a little boost to the car under acceleration and stops the engine in traffic, but doesn't drive the car under electric power. The new global hybrid is designed from the ground up as a hybrid, so should present more efficiencies than the Civic Hybrid. The CR-Z concept, already shown at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show, will be a sporty coupe designed for the hybrid powertrain.

Honda has been a little erratic with its hybrid strategy, originally offering the hybrid-only Insight, then hybrid versions of the Civic and Accord. Among that lineup, only the Civic Hybrid survives.

(Source: leftlane news)

[Jerry_Z]

If you don't want to wait until 2009, or simply want to skip the whole "Hybrid Scene" and go straight to electric cars, check out Zap. Their Xebra's are available now and a great way to get around town while also getting used to driving electric. Huge benefit to making the switch - no gasoline needed. Slap a solar array into the mix and you can have completely free vehicle charging! Sweet right? (http://www.zapworld.com)

[sacksack]

Trouble with most all-electrics is that they're not quite ready for prime time. Certain individuals and their needs can be satisfied but not for most. Electric's time will come.

[BabarBaig]

Am a longterm fan of Honda. Love their fuel-efficient, low-maintenance philosophy. Just sad to see them flounder so bad with hybrids. And what's with yet another squinty-eyed 2-door with poor visibility and claustorphobic greenhouse? I think there are already a bazillion 2-doors with emotive, form-sacrifices-function shapes for those who get emotionally attached to their cars. How about something for pragmatic folks who buy cars that make sense?

[jpmccloud01]

As a person who gets around the city he lives in with out the use of a car, except when needing to move stuff, I have to say why drive anything when you can walk. It's best for the enviroment, body, mind and sole. If I needed a car though, I have to say that I would probably drive a Prius for several reasons. 1. it's a quiet car, better than any luxury out there and 2. it has cargo capacity when needed. I wish all the car companies GM, Ford, Chrysler and the like would put out as good a hybrid or at least a car with atleast as good a gas millage and capability. Honda's are nice, but I can't see myself owning one

[jma9]

forget honda hybrids. there clean diesel engine is said to be fantastic. it gets 50 mpg in the european accord (the acura tsx). i am waiting for the tsx with the diesel. right now clean diesel is the way to go. i'll buy one of those next and then hopefully by the time that thing dies, usuable full electric cars will be the norm.

[nopcbs]

If you are in Europe, fine. If in the U.S., you will pay more for diesel fuel now and you will pay even more (vs. gasoline) in the future simply because our refinery's are optimized for a certain gas/diesel split favoring gas (vs. Europe where gas/diesel are an even split) and that cannot be economically changed. More people buy diesel, the worse it gets. Forget about building new refinery's that would favor diesel as the greens just nobody wants to allow a new refinery to be built.

[Leria]

Honda isn't really 'floundering' with their Hybrids. My parents have one and it has been extremely low maintenance and good mileage except for a design flaw with the transmission that they made new transmission fluid to fix.

[Autopros]

I agreed with Leria, that Honda is not really floundering. Honda builds one of the most honest product, and has a history of fanatically building efficient cars - an affordable cars with all-aluminum engines, first to incorporate a reliable and workable variable valve timing (starting back in 1991, and Toyota didn't even have a version until 1998, and with reliability problems to boot). I do think they are trying to do too much, too quickly, developing hybrids, clean diesels, and fuel cell vehicles. From a marketing standpoint, they may miss the target with the American consumers, but I do believe their sincere approach to building the "right" product for the consumer. If you drive the Honda Civic Hybrid versus the Prius, you'll find that the Civic is alot more fun to drive than the Prius, even though the Prius is roomier, and do achieve better mileage. But then again, this is part of the difference in philosophy between the 2 car companies. Many buy the Prius because it makes a clearer statement that it is a "hybrid," and Honda's subtlety has hurt them in sales. Toyota may have the edge currently on their hydrids, but I have faith that Honda will get it right - their history have shown that they always do. By the way, I don't believe any hybrid cars are where they need to be in terms of efficiency in energy regeneration. They use nickel-metal-hydrid batteries, which takes too long to charge up, to fully make use of recapturing the kinetic energy, and storing it, thus lost in friction and heat through the brakes. Between hitting the brakes, and reaching a full stop, only a relatively small percentage of the energy is captured and stored. An article from MIT 06/06 talks of battery research technology, that they can be charged up as quickly as filling a gas tank. Maybe a revival of the electric vehicle, but perhaps a much more efficient hybrid, where truly the electric motor would be the primary power source. Hopefully in 4-5 years, we can see much improvements in the area of energy-efficient vehicles, not only by Honda and Toyota, but all car companies.

[sacksack]

As a long time fancier of all things Honda I always take note when they introduce new products. But competition is much more fierce than years ago so major breakthroughs are fewer and farther between. I read somewhere that recent studies have shown that something over 70% of all Hybrid owners and owners to be want more than just good fuel mileage and a smaller carbon footprint. They want to be noticed doing so and to Toyota's credit they found that in the Prius. Saving finite fuel supplies and the earth are noble goals but I think I would never own a Prius simply because there are too many on the road and I DON"T want to look like I'm following everyone else. It's already been shown that owning a hybrid, and especially a Prius with its price tag run skyward, can take several years of ownership before fuel savings recoup their addition cost. And by that time it's simply a wash. I've driven the Civic Hybrid and it's a fine car. Look to Honda's upcoming Prius fighter to look unlike any other car in their range (save for the FCX).