I was under the impression that a new CR-V was due next year. It seems unlikely that they would hybridize the current model. Would this be the new CR-V?

That Inside Line article makes sense. I was thinking that the Insight is an old design at this point, so I would very much doubt they're going to use its powertrain in something new. And if Insight sales are so low, I can see why they haven't bothered to really update it. (The interior is dated, even if it is functional.)

Perhaps it's just wishful thinking, but I'd prefer that Honda keep the hybrids as economy cars, rather than corrupt the badge.

Besides, if they do a hybrid CRV (which would make me cry, since I just traded my CRV for the HCH), everyone will complain if they don't do a 4wd version and that becomes a major project.

By the way, the title 2k8 Fit Hybrid will be Insight powered conjured up a mental image of opening the Fit's hood and finding a little Insight in there.

So if the FIT is going to use the more modern drivetrain, I wonder if the hybrid version is going to have a 1.5L FIT engine or a 1.3L Civic engine? I also wonder if "modern drivetrain" also implies "CVT Auto transmission only". I believe this year's FIT comes in 5MT and 6AT flavors.

How the heck does autostop work on a manual transmission anyway?

I wonder how hard it would be to ditch the realtime awd and use the electric motor/battery pack to drive the rear wheels, while the ICE ran the front wheels as in the 2wd CRV. Seems like this could simplify the drivetrain. Regenerative breaking would still work, and the rear wheel power could engage under acceleration or when the front wheels slip, providing the normal hybrid benefits. Any thoughts to this idea? They could even have a small electric motor in each of the rear hubs? Obviously I'm not an engineer and I am fantasizing here.

It is likely Honda won't introduce the Fit Hybrid.
They will introduce the New Dedicated Hybrid Vehicle in 2009 instead of Fit.
http://world.honda.com/news/2006/c06...YearCEOSpeech/

Ken@Japan

Actually, a "dedicated hybrid family sedan" sounds more like an Accord replacement. I could see Honda running with three hybrid models: Fit, Civic, and this new thing in 2009.

They say it will be less expensive than the current Civic Hybrid, so I doubt it will be Accord like.

I didn't realize it would be a "dedicated hybrid family sedan" until I read this now. That makes it sound Prius-ish. When I first read that the Insight would be replaced by a new hybrid under the Death of The Insight thread, I assumed that it would be the hybrid Fit moving on up to assume the small hybrid role sadly vacated by the Insight. I'm starting to think I hsould have gotten the Insight in 2005 instead of my HCH just for the novelty value...

Don't worry, you'll be able to buy them used for the next 10 years or so. Might have 100K miles on it and need a new battery pack. But you'll still be able to get one cheaper and repair to good as new for much less than a new car costs. If you really want one you'll be able to get one.

Maybe Honda is developing a new compact hybrid from scratch because the IMA batteries wouldn't squeeze into a FIT and still preserve the function of the "Magic Seats". Still, I hope the new "dedicated" hybrid is at lease *cute* like the FIT.