Paris '08 Preview: New dedicated Honda hybrid to debut
A year ago at the Geneva Motor Show, Honda talked about producing a new hybrid-only model beginning in 2009. A concept version of that new car is expected to make its debut this September at the Paris Motor Show ahead of its production debut next year. The new hybrid-only model will be the first such car from Honda since the Insight went out of production in 2006. Honda has set themselves a goal of selling ten percent of their cars with hybrid power-trains by the end of the decade and, with the Civic currently being the only hybrid on offer, this new one will have to be a success if they hope to meet that goal. Conquering Europe, where hybrids have been slow to gain a foothold, will be important to Honda. The company plans on pricing the new car aggressively, somewhere in the range of €16,000 and €20,000. The Prius currently runs about €24,000 in Europe. The new dedicated hybrid will use a new version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system. The IMA system can't accelerate from a stop on electric power only. However at moderate constant speeds the engine can be shut down and, with the throttle open, the system can motor along on electric power alone.
[Source: Left Lane News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 10:19PM (2/19/2008)
I CANNOT wait.
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mike 7:37PM (2/19/2008)
The Insight is looking better and better. Too bad they can't re-start that production line.
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RQ 4:12AM (2/22/2008)
About this quote"The IMA system can't accelerate from a stop on electric power only...However at moderate constant speeds the engine can be shut down and, with the throttle open, the system can motor along on electric power alone."......I have a civic hybrid, and at moderate constant speeds the engine is not shut off...Am i Wrong?
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Sam Abuelsamid 8:35AM (2/22/2008)
What model year is your Civic. The change to allow motoring on electric power is relatively recent.
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ronal 1:05AM (3/09/2008)
Mine is a 2007 with nav
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Brandon 1:37PM (3/29/2008)
The article mentions a "new" version of the IMA. I have an 08 Civic Hybrid and it does not shut off the engine either. I assume the engine shut-off feature is the "new" part.
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shamba mishra 9:21AM (9/14/2008)
ELESH RIDER-the legend for future and can't think about this car........want to see ELESH making his legend........wait a minute the time has time but just homework is needed.......don't forget chevrolet's attitude toward me..how can i forget? now i am best contender in the world,want to view it,wait................
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