Fit Hybrid - not really

More news out of Tokyo today...

"Honda will expand hybrid sales in the small class by introducing a new sporty hybrid based on the CR-Z, Civic Hybrid and the addition of a Fit Hybrid model," said Takeo Fukui, president and CEO of Honda Motor, in Tokyo. "Combined annual sales of these four hybrid models is expected to reach approximately 500,000 units [globally]."

Ok, let me do some counting... CR-Z, 1, HCH, 2, Fit Hybrid, 3... oh yeah, here's the 4th one. Anyway, this is a pretty exciting quote. Honda expects to come out with a Fit Hybrid sometime in the early 2010s. Whether "early 2010s" means like January - March 2010 or like before 2014, well, your guess is as good as mine. Won't we all be in flying cars by then anyway?

No word on whether it'll cost $149 and be available at Amazon.

Thanks, Edmunds.

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What do you get when you cross a Prius with a Honda engineer?

See, I was right! Today Honda finally officially confirmed the upcoming "Prius-ized" Honda hybrid using the IMA system. The new hybrid, which will be revealed at the Paris Auto Show this fall, will use the current generation nickel-metal hydride batteries instead of lithium-ion batteries. I guess if Toyota isn't going to use them, no one has to. As previously reported, the "Honda Civiprius" (as I call it ) will be a 5-seater hatchback with design elements very similar to the Honda FCX (pictured). Anticipated sale date will be in April 2009 - exactly when the Gen III Prius comes out. Honda expects to sell 100,000 of them in North America annually; 200,000 worldwide.

Keep holding your breath for the CR-Z. It won't be released until after the Civiprius has made its way around the block. Probably late 2009.

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2010 Lexus Prius Hybrid Lexus Prius/Hybrid
Source: MagX

- Prius using Toyota's MC platform has been seen testing with the Auris front noze
- Next Prius will be using the 1.8L 2ZR engine instead of 1NZ
- Lexus will have a version of the Prius which is planning on debuting during late 2010/early 2011
- The Lexus will have the roofline profile similar to that of the Prius however have distinct Lexus styling in sync with the "L-finesse" design
language.
- The Lexus version would cost over $30k and obviously be equipped with luxury amenities; current internal code for the car is 812L
- Due to cost reasons the next-gen Prius should still be using NiMH batteries. However, Toyota has had a Lithium-ion Vitz hybrid in limited production for awhile, and the Lexus version may be equipped with Li-On batteries due to the higher selling price would allow enough margin to incorporate the more expensive batteries.

Thanks for the image Photobucket/ClubLexus and for pointing this out, Tideland Prius on PriusChat.

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Chevy Volt Model: Chevy Volt model Judging from an article in this morning's Free Press, the Volt will only be released to select markets when it is released in late 2010. GM and the FP add some spin to the decision, saying that they want to release the car to "politically important and trend-setting markets on the coasts", but it can easily be viewed that they want to limit the car's availability in order to control distribution and service issues. According to GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, the early plan for distribution of the Chevrolet Volt is to begin with California, followed by Washington, D.C.; Florida; New York and elsewhere on the East Coast.

Detroit Free Press Article

Volt Battery: Chevrolet Volt Battery

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Honda is planning to launch a new hybrid model at the Paris Auto Show this fall, but the much-rumored sports hybrid shown to us in the form of the CR-Z concept is still some way off.

The new model, due to go on sale in 2009, will be a small family-sized vehicle, intended to rival the Toyota Prius.
It will be a stand-alone model (no traditional ICE counter-part), seating four or five people, and although Honda has not confirmed details of its body structure as yet, it's expected to be a five-door hatchback or compact sedan.

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So, what once was a small-time rumor could now move up to big-time rumor - a 2009 Hybrid Matrix.  PriusChat poster naterprius has posted that he saw a "newer body Toyota Matrix, in medium dark blue, with an HSD badge on it, and a strange bumper sticker (on the tailgate) that said "Test Vehicle 70 MPH" or "Test Vehicle 70 MPG"."  This sighting in Boulder, CO comes only a couple of days after AutoBlog reported the rumor that GM and Toyota might be working on a Matrix/Vibe Hybrid together.

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Does that add up to a Hybrid Matrix in 2009?  I guess we'll have to wait and see. 

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PriusChat Discussion­

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This month's Toyota e-bulletin has some timely "information" (some might call it propoganda) regarding hybrid technologies - now and in the future.  You'll notice in the article that the only technologies with negatives are ones that Toyota does not currently employ (Mild Hybrids, Series Hybrids, Plug-Ins, and Li-ion batteries).  It does provide mostly good and accurate, though biased, information.  You can check out the whole Toyota eBulletin here (caution:  pdf link). 

Curre­nt And Future Hybrid Technology:

What's In It For Consumers?

As the mainstreaming of hybrid technology accelerates, and the price of oil hits record highs, Toyota factories churn out hybrids in an array of vehicle segments. And at the same time, Toyota engineers aggressively research near- and long-term solutions, from plugin hybrids to advanced batteries to fuel cells.

In the not-too-distant-future, a large portion of vehicles will employ a hybrid powertrain of some description. In this fast-changing landscape, here's a quick overview of current and near-future hybrid technologies, along with their advantages and disadvantages to consumers.

• Parallel hybrids have both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, which both power the vehicle, sometimes separately or in combination. Most hybrids currently sold in North America are parallel, including all Toyota and Lexus hybrids.

• Advantages for consumers: As illustrated by the more than 1 million Toyota hybrids on the road worldwide, parallel hybrids are proven, reliable, easy to use and widely accepted by consumers. Operation is nearly indistinguishable from current conventional vehicles, with the bonus
  

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