New Honda Hybrid- "Spy Photos" from...

Originally published here.

Tags: 2010 Honda, 2010 Honda Hybrid Car, cars, gas prices, High mpg, Honda Hybrid, hybrid cars, hybrid vehicles, lithium ion battery, Nickel metal hydride battery, Road & Track Magazine, sustainability, Toyota Prius, transportation, transportation costs, Over 40 mpg, Honda, Hybrid Vehicle, cars, environment

Yahoo Autos and Road & Track Magazine have provided "spy" photographs (by Brenda Priddy & Company) and a very preliminary description of the new Honda Hybrid, a 2010 model destined to reach dealers in late 2009. While details of the gasoline engine side of the car have not yet been disclosed, the electric side is reportedly based on a nickel/metal-hydride battery design rather than a lithium-ion battery. Gas mileage is thought by Road & Track to be "class leading" and well above 40 mpg. Author Sam Mitani says:

The price of this new car will be low, as Honda maintains it will be an entry-level car with 200,000 units selling annually — half of those to be sold in the United States. Early rumors indicate that it may be as low as $19,000. With seating for five, this 4-door, front-wheel-drive hatchback…

Although exactly where this car will fit into the Honda line is unknown to outsiders, the new Honda hybrid will compete with the Toyota Prius:

Whichever label it wears, one thing for sure is that the new Honda Hybrid will be one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the world, and may wrest the crown away from the Prius as the world's favorite green car.

The appearance of another hybrid in the U.S. and world markets is certainly a cause for celebration, though my loudest cheers will be for the plug-in hybrids that will (or should) also be arriving soon.

Comments: 12

Mary G. Jul 24, 2008, 3:26am EDT

Hi James
Sorry I have been so busy with the 3000 this month. I am looking forward to replying to my friends now that the college textbooks will be covered.

The one problem that has been happening in California is the cars that have been built are sold quickly to people with the most money, so the middle class doesn't stand any chance of getting a car. There is a long waiting list.

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Suze P. Jul 24, 2008, 3:34am EDT

That's cool.. It's not a bad looking little car..and not a bad price, if that's what it ends up being. I kinda like the Ford Escape.. even though I don't like Fords..:O)

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Vikki M. Jul 24, 2008, 1:57pm EDT

Interesting! I'm not real impressed with the look of the car though. But I like hearing when new hybrids come out because one day I'd really like to own one.

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James B. Jul 25, 2008, 12:21am EDT

Mary: Good point (unfortunately). We can't buy a car now, but just because I'm interested, I looked into Prius prices locally. A used 2007 was selling for about $7,000 more than the list price of a new car. Clearly, they are selling at quite a premium here too. We simply need to get more of these cars imported so the supply/demand equation isn't working so hard against average people.

Thanks for the feedback, Suze. I wish I liked Fords, they sure need customers. Of course, the Mustang is a cool car, but I'm remembering back to the 60's and 70's, I suppose.

Vikki, I may be wrong, but I think that there is some deception in the body styling of this prototype to keep competitors guessing about the price point and about which other cars this one will actually compete with.

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James B. Jul 25, 2008, 12:53am EDT

p.s. Mary, no need to apologize! We all do what we can. I'm focusing on commenting for a while. I just hit an all time high for daily readership on two of my environmental blogs, Chemistry for a sustainable world and Solar Power lens. Nice though it is, this may mean I've been spending too much time on them. So, it is time to visit what friends have done. Best wishes!

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Vikki M. Jul 25, 2008, 1:02am EDT

I'm sure you're right, James. There probably is some bit of deception in the prototype. It'll be interesting to see how it comes out in the long run. It would be nice to have more hybrid options available.

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Sam Carana Jul 30, 2008, 7:38pm EDT

Given its impressive record regarding cheap, clean and efficient cars, I expect Honda to continue to improve itself. Thanks for sharing, James.

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t b. Aug 8, 2008, 5:16pm EDT

This is a good article. For some reason I don't see my first comment, yet I had it rated. Some things I have stopped trying to figure out the whys--like gather.

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