New sports hybrid car

[MSantos]

A few years back, Honda had mentioned that it would be creating a small hybrid sports car. Here's the formal public release:


Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept to Debut at Geneva 2007

http://world.honda.com/news/2007/407...nevaMotorShow/

February 5, 2007 - Honda will be presenting the world debut of an
exciting new concept car at the forthcoming 2007 Geneva motor show, as
well as showing the fully driveable FCX Concept fuel cell car in Europe
for the first time.


How about Toyota releasing a hybrid version of the MR2 ?

Cheers;

MSantos

[Tideland Prius]

ahh.. so that "small-than-Fit hybrid" is a sports car.

"It's...niiice"

[MSantos]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 5 2007, 11:47 AM) [snapback]385621[/snapback]</div>

ahh.. so that "small-than-Fit hybrid" is a sports car.

"It's...niiice"
[/b]

If I understand you correctly, indeed, this would be the second "formally announced hybrid" vehicle.

According to the "investor circles" and long time public knowledge, they will be producing a uniquely styled, versatile family hybrid that not only is "cheaper" than the current Civic but more fuel efficient as well. This will also be a vehicle with a much larger production volume capacity than the Civic. If I recall correctly, Honda is maxed at a nominal 28K units per year for the current Civic, but due to the demand they managed to squeeze an additional 4-5 thousand in 2006 out of their single HCH-2 plant in Japan.

The second hybrid they've been planning is a sports coupe. I guess it could be seen as the "direct" descendent of the Insight with a much stronger emphasis on performance.
Of course, in typical and quirky Honda fashion, it is hard to tell what the specific powerplant characteristics and specs are until the vehicle nears production and parts suppliers start spilling a few details here and there.


Cheers;

MSantos

[SomervillePrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MSantos @ Feb 5 2007, 01:10 PM) [snapback]385634[/snapback]</div>

According to the "investor circles" and long time public knowledge, they will be producing a uniquely styled, versatile family hybrid that not only is "cheaper" than the current Civic but more fuel efficient as well.
[/b]

Do you have any more info about this car? Will it be based on the FIT or a larger car? Any idea of when it will be released?

[MSantos]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Feb 5 2007, 02:28 PM) [snapback]385674[/snapback]</div>

Do you have any more info about this car? Will it be based on the FIT or a larger car? Any idea of when it will be released?
[/b]

Since we lack any concrete information, the FIT is a good baseline to start with. However, the FIT is a 4-5 year old platform and some of the releases have indicated that the European 5 door model should be the best comparision we have.

This new family oriented hybrid should be released in the 2008-2009 timeframe. Also at the same time the "Hybrid Scooter" is also expected to make a debut in many markets. Perhaps ours being one of them.

http://world.honda.com/news/2004/2040824_02.html

Cheers;

MSantos

[SomervillePrius]

I hope Honda releases more dedicated hyrbid systems. None of the "retro fitted" models (from Toyota, Honda or Ford) are that attractive to me. The scooter is not bad, but I'm more hoping for an EV scooter with 30 mile range and 4-6 hour recharge. I would be able to commute on that 6-8 months of the year.

[SoopahMan]

Cool engine.

These concept cars are always just a tease of course, but it is interesting how Honda and Toyota measure up. While Toyota focuses on building "Full Hybrids" and maximizing the interaction of electric and gasoline - expanding the role of the electric more and more - Honda seems to focus on increasing the fuel efficiency of the gasoline engine itself, with the electric portion playing a minor role in simply helping that gas engine out.

I keep wondering when Honda is going to move forward with a full-hybrid system of their own, and many wonder why Toyota hasn't used more tricks in the Prius gas engine for efficiency, but it appears they've each chosen their tracks and might not merge for some time.

Very cool to see 2 great R&D departments compete and arrive at such similar EPA numbers over and over with such different approaches.

[randreed]

Either one should be a rag-top!

[Delta Flyer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SoopahMan @ Feb 6 2007, 03:40 PM) [snapback]386294[/snapback]</div>

I keep wondering when Honda is going to move forward with a full-hybrid system of their own, and many wonder why Toyota hasn't used more tricks in the Prius gas engine for efficiency, but it appears they've each chosen their tracks and might not merge for some time.[/b]

You got it - Honda has the ICE - Toyota stresses the motor

It's a shame they could not share their technology.

IMHO, Honda will be hurt when plug-in hybrids make headway, unless they really rework or replace the current IMA system

[MechaJohn]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MSantos @ Feb 5 2007, 04:00 PM) [snapback]385711[/snapback]</div>

Since we lack any concrete information, the FIT is a good baseline to start with. However, the FIT is a 4-5 year old platform and some of the releases have indicated that the European 5 door model should be the best comparision we have.

This new family oriented hybrid should be released in the 2008-2009 timeframe. Also at the same time the "Hybrid Scooter" is also expected to make a debut in many markets. Perhaps ours being one of them.

http://world.honda.com/news/2004/2040824_02.html

Cheers;

MSantos

[/b]

If I'm doing this right, I figure the new scooter gets unbelieveable gas mileage!

The article says it gets 1.6 times the fuel efficiency of the Dio Z4. I found an article showing the Z4 as getting 80km/L, or 1.3L/100km. That's 180mpg. 1.6 times that is...

288mpg!!!