Will Honda Produce the Cheapest Hybrid Yet?
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 02.23.06
A major Japanese daily has reported that Honda Motor Co. may very likely produce a hybrid version of its 5-door Fit subcompact as early as next spring. Though unconfirmed by Honda officials, rumor has it that the Fit could become the world’s most affordable hybrid to date, selling for less than $11,800. The Fit falls into a growing class of smaller cars headed for the States, such as the Toyota Yaris. The Japanese press reports that the Fit hybrid could be released as early as the spring of 2007, and would be sold globally. The move would signal Honda’s commitment to ramping up hybrid production, an issue it is apparently straddling. :: The Boston Globe (thanks to Greg for the tip) Update: For the latest news on the Honda Fit hybrid, see Update on Honda Fit Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid.
In my personal opinion, this is the coolest looking hybrid to date!!!Hey and it'll be released just in time for my graduation...hmmmm
I highly doubt that will be the price in the US market, because from what I've seen, the convetional model should be having a base of around $12-14K. It seems more likely that the hybrid will come in around $16K - a good chunk under the Insight, Civic, and Prius - but not at a price point which just off hand seems unachievable for a US spec vehicle.
Hybrids are great, but so are fuel efficient (bio)diesel vehicles. Why is VW the only company producing them for sale in the US?
Marco, I think that the low availability of low-sulfur diesel is one of the main factors. Hopefully, that will be solved (as planned) in the next few years.
The "diesel brand" also has to be sold to the North-American public; right now, most people probably associate it with big loud trucks and soot belching diesel cars from the 70s. Biodiesel probably doesn't even register on the mainstream radar.
We have lots of work in front of us...
GM is so dead!
I think the hybrid Fit will likely NOT be based on the current model that will arrive in the USA in April 2006.
Because of the space needed for the Integrated Motor Assist hardware, I think it may be based on the second-generation model, one that has been designed to accommodate the IMA hybrid system in mind. It will probably be powered by a new 1.0-liter I-4 engine with the same SOHC i-VTEC valvetrain used on the gasoline engine from the 2006 Civic Hybrid (it'll be rated at 80 bhp) and a 25 bhp electric motor, all driven through a CVT automatic transmission (the same drivetrain setup used on the 2006 Civic Hybrid).