Developmental Test Mule

A first glance this may look like Honda’s “Airwave” – a small Asian-market people-mover or wagon. The “Airwave” badge is covered with a small piece of electrical tape, as are the Honda badges. With an expected facelift on the Airwave for the 2009 model year, it would have been easy to assume that this was just a freshening. Although it did seem odd to see two left-hand-drive versions of the Asia-only Honda.

It was difficult to see the body-colored panels welded on from afar, but getting a close-up look at this “Airwave” - we quickly noticed the front clip and headlamps were right off the Japanese version of the Jazz/Fit. In addition – the dash and all the gauges were right off the Fit. This was NO Airwave! Nor was this a Fit!

This is actually a developmental test mule for the much-publicized 2010 “Global Small Hybrid”. And this isn’t speculation!

Because styling details aren’t visible, sources were willing to divulge a few details about these very vehicles, and we were able to CONFIRM that these are in fact engineering mules for Honda’s Prius-fighting Hybrid.

Honda’s all-new hybrid, which will debut in 2009, is expected to exceed the current Prius’ miles-per-gallon rating – as well as offering the vehicle at a lower base price. Worldwide, sales are estimated at 200,000 units annually, with 100,000 – or half of the cars sold – to be here in the States.
The new hybrid will be built in Suzuka, Japan, and will offer an all-new and dedicated hybrid powertrain.

Brenda Priddy & Company





Where do I send my check?

http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/3686.html

http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/4955.html

...and from Motor Trend

This oversized Honda Fit is actually a development mule for Honda's upcoming Prius-fighting "Global Small Hybrid." It is based on the Fit-based Japanese-market Honda Airwave wagon, but features the Fit's front end, dash, and gauges. The Airwave's front end more closely resembles that of the Japanese-market Civic.

The vehicle should arrive sometime in 2009 as a 2010 model with a dedicated powertrain. Reportedly, the new Honda will exceed the Prius' fuel-ecomy ratings while starting at a lower price point -- likely in the high teens. Honda hopes to sell 200,000 of these a year worldwide, with U.S. sales accounting for half of that. Production will take place in Suzuka, Japan.

http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/3686.html

http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/4955.html

http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/3686.html

http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/4955.html

Will it look like this in the end?

Winding Road says this Stream is comming to America in 2009, but doesn't know the powertrain.

Too similar not to be the same vehicle, eh?

http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/3686.html

http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/4955.html

The Stream looks better to me.

I agree with Harold.

I'd take either! This post gives me hope that the new global hybrid might be a hatch!

Commuter car, grocery getter, and summer road tripper--average 10k miles per year.


Winter road trips and ski trips, bad weather commuter and my wife's "daily" driver--expected average 4k miles per year.