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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