GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars - View Single Post

GreenAndBlue · #3 (**permalink**) 09-07-2006, 05:49 PM

I think the reporter got things switched around a bit.

Honda has plans to release their fourth hybrid in N. America in CY 2008 - on an 'all-new' platform, at the request of American Honda's top management. They've confirmed that it's not a 2 seat Insight replacement, nor is it a hybrid version of the 'new' Fit. Rather, it's supposed to be a car different than the Fit and the Civic - a "peoples' car" with an IMA system that's only about $1500-$1800 or so more expensive than the equivalent car without it.

Speculation I hear is that it might be the saloon (4-door sedan) version of the Fit, known as the 'City' in non-US markets (the car isn't sold here; only the 5-door Fit hatch is). That would save significant development time, compared to a truly 'all-new' platform, and the rear seatback would be the logical (for Honda) place to put the IMA electronics. Powertrain would likely be a 1.3 or 1.5L (I'll guess a 1.3, but not the LDA2 that the Civic has) coupled to the current Civic IMA motor & CVT. Done.

Pricing - figure about $18-20K USD plus TT&L, based on the $15K and change that the Fit sells at now, and the $24K that the Civic hybrid goes for. I'm hoping closer to $18K, of course.

This new "peoples' car" is supposed to be released in 2008 (likely as a 2009 model). Work is supposed to be progressing well on it. Honda states EPA will be better than the current Insight, fueling speculation that the car will have an EPA rating about 65mpg. Any more than that, and they'll be stealing Civic hybrid sales, would be my guess.

WRT the current Civic's scheduled replacement date - it'll be MY 2011. Honda adheres to a 5-year product cycle with its vehicles. Absolutely no way they're going to have an all-new platform ready by '09. The current car isn't technically a frame-up redesign (although it's close). That would put an all-new chassis up for the 9th-gen Civic (Honda does two model changes per chassis).