Honda to make a "two motor" full hybrid design by 2012 and beat Prius MPG.

Hmmm, the next Insight will beat the Prius? I remember reading that last year! lol

Honda need to stop playing catch up. What's the posh way of saying this? "They need to start being proactive and stop being reactive".

 

If they make the new Insight a bit bigger all round that would be a good thing. I personally prefer the styling of the existing Insight compared to the Prius, but it was just too compromised in so many other places that the Prius was the winner.

Now if Honda can get a good looking, stylish hybrid that 4/5 people can actually get into, then they'll be onto a winner. But I'm sure I've read that Toyota have about 5 new hybrids (or hybrid options) to be released in the next year or two, so it sounds like Toyota have one up on Honda - again.

 

Yes, I agree...I suppose Honda knows if the president "says" the next Insight will beat The Prius....then it's going to generate a degree of free publicity. But a big part of me say's "Just Do It" and quit talking about what you should of been striving to do in the first place. It smacks of desperation...

IMO the original Insight was a groundbreaking automobile, even if not as mainstream marketable as The Prius...since then Honda has shadow boxed while Toyota has come out swinging...

I want more options and I think real competition is good. So I say, make a better product....talk is cheap.

 

Yup - I agree! I've been a Honda fan for years with 5 Honda/Acura vehicles in my history since 1994. I was so disappointed when I actually sat in the Insight. Cool styling outside, but tiny on the inside - I felt like I was flying coach in the front - I don't want to be that close to my passengers and the back seat, well, let's just say it's not an inviting place to be. I wasn't initially looking at the Prius as I tested a Camry hybrid but didn't like the way it felt on the test drive. I told my salesman the Prius was too small because I need a room back seat for the occassional client (sales) but he asked me to try it out. First thing I did was sit in the back seat before I asked to test drive and I'm a very happy owner for 3 weeks now!:rockon: What's cool is that it's a conversation piece with my clients and they actually look forward to riding in it!

 

Very old article, 8 months have elapsed, now they are aiming to beat Prius Alpha MPG.

 

what you are speaking of is Honda's Plug-in hybrid concept -

Honda Plug-in Hybrid Concept - Official Site

It will use a 2.0L atkinson engine and will be designed for 10 - 15 mile range, 2 to 2.5 hr charge on 110V and be put in midsize platform.

fyi, Honda has a Fit EV coming in 2012

 

Actually they are talking about the 2012 Civic hybrid and it will have a 1.5 liter ICE and lithium ion battery pack. I think it will be good? Hal

 

Nope. 2012 Civic Hybrid will be IMA, serial, mild hybrid much like current, but with Li ion battery. Definitely not full hybrid.

Two motor is the plug-in concept to go in a mid-size sedan platform. Two motor is their term for 'full hybrid'.

 

To really be "full", it must offer the same wide variety of operational interactions that a power-split device provides. That flexibilty is the key.
.

 

Go Honda! (I loved my old Honda Prelude).

Go Toyota! Make it a real challenge for Honda.

 

OK this is similar to the new plug-in Prius? Hal

 

When I describe the space in the Prius I say it's a small mid-size.

There's a bit more room in the back then in our Honda Civic, which is a a relatively large compact. (Honda were planning to make it even larger!) In terms of legroom they feel about the same, but that's because the Civic's rear seats push your legs a bit higher.