Spycam: Honda's all-new global hybrid and refreshed 2009 Civic Hybrid
By Rory Jurnecka
Honda has recently been caught out in the California desert with two of its upcoming hybrid models -- the not-yet-seen (until now) all-new hybrid five-door hatch with seating for five and the refreshed 2009 Civic Hybrid. No doubt, the Honda team is in the midst of warm weather testing for both models given spiking temperatures in the desert region this time of year.
The all-new, as-yet-unnamed Honda hybrid, while still wearing a fair amount of camouflage, bears a striking resemblance to Toyota's Prius Hybrid, especially the greenhouse, but it also clearly takes more than a few cues from the Japanese automaker's FCX Clarity fuel cell sedan, which Honda said the vehicle would borrow many of its design elements from.
The new Honda hybrid is expected to undercut both the Prius and Honda's own Civic Hybrid in the pricing department. The vehicle will eschew lithium ion batteries -- a technology Honda chief Takeo Fukui deems currently unsuitable for use in production vehicles -- for an advanced nickel metal hydride system and a small gas engine. Honda expects to sell 200,000 of the new hybrid globally, with half of that volume being distributed to the U.S. The new global hybrid is scheduled to hit dealerships in late 2009 as a 2010 model and will be joined by a hybrid sports coupe shortly thereafter.
Meanwhile, Honda has given its Civic Hybrid a refresh to tide eco-shoppers over until the new hybrid's release. Though the revamped Civic Hybrid's mechanicals will likely remain intact from the current version (the present car is powered by a 1.3-liter, 110-hp four combined with a 20-hp electric motor), some significant changes have been made to the outside of Honda's gas-sipping compact.
This Civic Hybrid prototype wears a restyled front bumper with three separate air intakes in the place of the current model's single center intake. Additionally, the grille opening around the front Honda "H" logo has a more aggressive, angular look, and the headlights appear to be slightly revised internally. Out back, this prototype's taillights are revised and a new trim item can be seen between the two lights. Expect to see the refreshed Civic Hybrid in showrooms later this year as a 2009 model.