U.S. to get three Honda hybrids by 2012
By GREG MIGLIORE

By 2012, Honda could have one of the more comprehensive hybrid lineups in the world.

The automaker on Wednesday revealed plans for a four-car hybrid fleet that expects to reach global sales of 500,000 a year when all are in production.

The United States will get three of the cars: a small hybrid that will be sold in world markets, a sports-car hybrid based on the CR-Z concept revealed at the 2007 Tokyo motor show and the hybrid version of the Civic.

There are no plans to bring the hybrid version of the Fit, which is reportedly due by 2015, to the U.S. market, a Honda spokesman said.

All of the cars would share versions of Honda' gasoline- electric technology, called Integrated Motor Assist. It pairs a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor.

The yet-to-be-named small car will be Honda's entry-level hybrid when it reaches the United States in spring 2009. The five-door hatchback will take styling cues from the Honda FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle and will have room for five passengers.

It's estimated that the new hybrid would have global sales of 200,000--half of which would be for North America. The car would be produced alongside the Civic Hybrid at Honda's Suzuka factory in Japan.

The new hybrid will also get an interactive system that provides feedback to the driver to help conserve fuel, though details about how it works were not available.

The CR-Z, which stands for "Compact Renaissance Zero," would be one of the first hybrid sports cars by a mainline manufacturer in the United States. The concept shown in Japan and later at the Detroit show emphasized a futuristic, performance look highlighted by a large grille and 19-inch wheels. The car could go on sale by 2012.

Honda hasn't announced when the next-generation Civic hybrid is due, but based on the automaker's typical five-year product cycles, a new version could arrive around 2011.

Meanwhile, Honda also said it has started the process of identifying the 200 customers who will lease the FCX Clarity hydrogen-fuel-cell car when the program starts in July. More than 50,000 people have expressed interest in the vehicle, which will have a driving range of 270 miles.

The program is limited to customers in Southern California, where the hydrogen-refueling infrastructure has been established.


This article was last updated on: 05/21/08, 17:51 et

 

threads about new cars need pix

personaly i think this kinda looks like an rsx/c-klasse

 

man, i was hoping to see some target MPG numbers.

 

It still amazes me how Toyota has just blown Honda out the water with hybrids. Honda more than anything is known for efficiency but they are so focused on SUVs and giant Accords they forgot their roots.

I really am looking forward to these cars, I know they will just be tough to beat when they come out.

 

And yet Honda can call themselves the most efficient brand because they don't have the 4runners, Tundras, Landcruisers, etc. to lower their CAFE.

I trust a Toyota hybrid more anyway. They've always been more efficient, except for the Insight which doesn't count because it truly lacked HP and seating for 4.

 

I guess the dedicated hybrid would compete with a Fit Hybrid??