Honda Announces Plans for New Small Stand-Alone Hybrid in 2009
Honda has confirmed earlier reports today by announcing a bit of its near-term strategy for the continuation and expansion of its hybrid lineup.
The biggest news from the Japanese automaker is that it’s planning a small, five-seat, hatchback hybrid for launch in early 2009. The all-new “dedicated
Comments
Reilly
I'll give Honda credit for really doubling down on hybrids as a strategy, but it begs me to ask: wouldn't it make more sense to make lightweight a corporate strategy first? The above says this new dedicated car will be light weight, but without any specifics I'm free to make my claim.
The market demands that more cars should be sold with a hybrid badge on them somewhere, but I'd love to see a race to get back closer to 2,000 lbs curb weight while still meeting crash standards.
It's much harder to make vehicles lighter than it is to put hybrids in them, but that's a concept America doesn't understand yet.
Oollyoumn
I'm all for hybrids, but most of their benefit is in regenerative braking. I would like to see these same cars offered without the hybrid expense and weight. For straight out highway driving it makes no sense to carry around extra batteries and electric motors.
mo
honda zzzzz hybrid zzzzzzzzz. why is honda thinking of building a honda pruis. can they just remain with their accord and civic hybrids. just put the new tech in these cars, don't make a honda pruis.
in addition, shouldn't honda think about investing in rwd platforms and some bigger engines instead of remaining in the small to medium segment. we all saw what happened to the RL.
I am waiting for the day to see an acura that can be compared to MB S-class or BMW 7 series.
Trinks
It's harder to sell someone a lightweight car; a typical consumer seems to actually prefer heavyweight vehicles since they are perceived to be more stable at speed (based on my experience).
I'm anxious to see if the sporty nature of the Fit is retained in the hybrid version, and if the CR-Z is a real sports car and not just another Insight.
Mena
Reilly,
Lightweight cars would be cool but you're going to have to give up something to get that kind of weight. Look at the Elise and Exige, both are sub 2000 lb cars and have you noticed how much stuff is in those cars? There isn't hardly any sound deadening or much else for that matter. Not to mention, 99% of you would flat out refuse to drive something like that everyday. You'd be begging for your Camry's by the end of the week.
With the consumer wanting more and more stuff along with the safety equipment in cars, the current weight is spot on. To get lighter while maintaining equipment levels and safety will take massive compromises AND exotic materials. None which the average Joe can afford.
Reilly
Mena,
I didn't say it was easy. But as a technical challenge, it would be impressive. Doing so for a right price would be a competitive advantage.
mena
Reilly,
It's not going to happen. Carbon Fiber everything with a massive de-content of the vehicle is the only way they could do it. And that simply is NOT cheap. It's not a technical challenge to do it, look at any Ferrari. But it costs a ton to do and Joe Six pack isn't going to pay $100k plus for a Camry.
I already mentioned the Elise and Exige. That's the cheap way to do it and you know how much those cars cost and how much they give up to do it.
It's not gonna happen. At least not for under $30k which seems to be the sweet spot for price around here.
Ducati Minor
Insight...1,800 lbs.
Steve
Reilly is right. It's a challenge that the automakers should take on. Years ago, they said 100hp/L was impossible, and then they said that 30mpg was impossible.... I say bullcrap. We just need to set the goals correctly and work towards them. It won't happen overnight, but it'll happen.
mo
i am pretty sure this will come true at one point. but clearly not now.
Mena
Ducati,
And compare the crash test ratings of the Insight to the Camry. Reilly said the crash ratings need to be equal. Also, look at the content of the Insight and compare that to the Camry. Like I said, you're going to HAVE to give up something to get a target weight of 2000 lbs. AGAIN, look at the Elise and Exige (and Insight since you brought that up).
Steve,
Reilly is wrong. There is no challenge. It's already been done. Quit thinking pie in the sky and look at reality. Reality is it CAN be done TODAY, it's just expensive to do if you want to keep the content and safety of a car like the Camry. If you want to do it on the cheap, you MUST give up your creature comforts.
Mena
mo,
In the future, when carbon fiber is cheap and easy to do simple things like oh, make a front fender, then we'll have light cars with loads of content. Or if some future super light, cheap material that can be worked like steel is found THEN Reilly's dream will come true. But, if you want it today or anytime soon, pony up the cash OR lose your crash worthiness and navigation.
dillon
honda blowz more dick the pamala anderson
ride a FORD
mo
@ mena, that is what i was trying to say. thanks for making more explanation about it.
@ dillon, is honda a porn star??!! what do you actually mean by "ride" a FORD? is that a sexual meaning or is it like “get a ford
Winding Road » Archive » Report: Next Toyota Prius to be Lon
[...] Honda confirming that it will expand its low-end gas-electric lineup with both a Fit variant and a hybrid-only model, the rush is on to get the new Prius into showrooms to keep both its sales lead and Toyota’s [...]
Post new comment