Honda Fit Hybrid production moved up to fall of 2010? (w/POLL)
2009 Honda Fit - Click above for a high-res image gallery
We've been hearing rumors of an impending Honda Fit Hybrid for the last few years, and according to a report from Japan's Nikkei business daily, its introduction may finally be right around the corner in the fall of 2010. If true, the new Fit Hybrid would be Honda's entry level hybrid here in the United States, with its rumored ¥1.5 million (approximately $15,800) base price slotting well below the current Insight's already attractive price point.
The third prong of Honda's hybrid strategy would likely be the CR-Z hatchback, which is expected to make an appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show later this year, where there's also a chance that we'll see an all-new version of the Honda Civic Hybrid.
With all of this in mind, we wonder what is the most attractive price point for a mainstream hybrid vehicle in the United States. If Honda were to offer a Fit Hybrid at around $16K, an Insight at around $20K and a Civic Hybrid for around $24K, which model do you think would be the most popular? Or would you be willing to lose the practicality of an extra set of seats for the sportiness of a CR-Z? Click past the break to take our poll.
Gallery: 2009 Honda Fit
[Source: Nikkei via Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
contact 6:34PM (5/27/2009)
CR-Z or nothing for me thanks.
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thomas mcintosh 6:55PM (5/27/2009)
I guess I am one of the few people that actually gets USE out of the big gas guzzling truck I drive. I personally would LOVE to see a hybrid or electric version of something like the Baja, the Avalanche, the Honda Ridgeline OR my personal favorite, an electric CUBE or something like it.. The couple extra miles per gallon I see for the new Chevy hybrid trucks doesn't do it for me and I cant get away with driving a two seater or even a four seater with no storage.
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Matt 7:27PM (5/27/2009)
Screw "who killed the electric car?" What I want to know is, who killed the small truck? What ever happened to the small Tacomas and Rangers? Give me a 2004 model Toyota Tacoma 4x4 in with a hybrid synergy drive and I'll be happy. If I can't get one like that, it's the CR-Z or nothing :)
FitFan 1:16AM (5/28/2009)
The Fit has a ridiculous amount of space.
I'm holding out for the CR-Z. The Insight and Prius are ok, but I want a car that's rated at 60mpg. I'm not sure that Honda will reach that with the CR-Z. It sounds like they're placing too much of a performance focus on the car.
mike 3:02PM (5/28/2009)
I too think small trucks need to be examined by the manufacturers.
They have left their initial buyers out in the cold.
The only choice if you need a truck for anything is a large, low mpg vehicle... often with more luxury items than a Cadillac.
Most people driving them don't really need all that capability but do need to be able to carry reasonable loads on a regular basis.
A rural home owner or construction worker is who I am thinking of.
It needs good mileage, the ability to carry 4x8 sheet-goods readily and optional 4x4 operation.
They should also consider power take-offs. Where in hell did they ever get to?
Is it insurance considerations that keeps somebody like toyota or ford from building me a decent and capable small vehicle and vastly extending its capabilities with a power take off?
Give me a post hole digger, a stump grinder... and most of all a nice 5' to 6' wide snow-blower on a front power take off!!!
I promise you, people will buy them!!
Think of them like stupid wings or fender flares you can sell to 'customize my ride' but with actual uses.
That way I don't need a 2.5 ton truck to move snow.
Give me all that with a simple bench seat and clever storage/carrying implementation and as much of a modern-eye toward ease of maintenance and durability as is possible and sell it for less than $20k and you will not be able to build enough of them.
It does not need to be pretty.
It just needs to work!
Our automotive history is full of high selling examples of such simple and versatile vehicles.
The original jeeps or the VW bus come to mind or even the original small farm tractors.
I don't understand why no auto-maker sees this glaring product hole just waiting like a golden-egg-giving goose.
- Mike
brett 10:09AM (6/07/2009)
check out the Toyota A-bat. It may be exactly what you ordered.
Snowdog 8:51PM (5/27/2009)
The Insight is derived from the Fit. So this really doesn't buy much. In fact, I expect lower MPG with the Fit hybrid since it isn't optimized for aerodynamics like the Insight.
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ISLAND DON 11:11PM (5/27/2009)
As a certified Honda salesman, I would much rather see a diesel than a hybrid. Diesel here in California is now.15@gal. cheaper that reg. gas and falling, while gasoline is rising.You can achieve pretty much the same mileage in both and you don't have to worry about the global effects of disposing that heavy metal battery.
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LaTazman 11:08PM (6/02/2009)
Dear Don,
I've been crying out for Honda to bring those little gems of diesel engines here. It seems Honda has the everywhere but the USA for diesels. What would be their #1 selling vehicle if they changes their minds - CR-V diesel!!!!!!!!!!!!
Derk McRockgroin 11:18PM (5/27/2009)
NiMH batteries are recyclable, and can last nearly a decade. When the batteries become unfit for automotive use, they can be 'reincarnated' to store some energy for the grid and 'assist' during peak hours.
I like diesels too, but their higher emissions makes them difficult to enter the U.S. market without expensive particulate filters and other equipment to bring the emissions down to acceptable levels. Another con is the high nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides diesels emit that are related to respiratory problems. Hybrids are very effective in reducing these emissions.
ISLAND DON 11:42PM (5/27/2009)
Wow...that's the first time I've heard that...that's great news!!!
That still doesn't convince me to go hybrid, because the diesels do offer that powerful torque curve. I'm looking forward to the VW Golf/Rabbit coming out next fall...obviously they've figured out how to deal with the oxides problem. I've driven the new Honda Hybrid, which is more fun to drive than the very pedestrian Prius, but I know that the VW will be more fun by a mile and get at least 45 hwy MPG. I'm also hoping to see some diesel Fiats, in the future, if the CHRYCO deal goes through.
ISLAND DON 11:46PM (5/27/2009)
When you say "another con is...", you mean there are no signifcant respiratory effects from diesel emissions, at least not worse than gasoline emissions?
dm789 1:28AM (5/28/2009)
Yes i agree with a Fit Diesel If europe can have a polo diesel that could reach almost 70mpg why cant Fit have a diesel too?
ISLAND DON 2:32AM (5/28/2009)
70 MPG! Just the thought of that makes me excited, while it probably makes the Exxon execs and the Saudi Sheiks nauseous! I just read a piece on the Polo from 2007 that suggested VW bring the car to America at $18,000 and the showrooms would be swamped. Truth is, if they bring it here and get it legalized at 20k, they'll need police to keep the people from fighting to get to a salesman and lay down they're money. You can bet I'll be one of them!!!
knifethrower 5:59AM (5/28/2009)
Although the Polo BlueMotion is officially rated with 62 mpg in Germany, these numbers can't be compared. The EU-cycle is highly optimistic, especially for diesels. In daily driving, it mostly achieves between 47 and 53 mpg. There are only a few subcompact diesels available even in Europe and they are often operated by small companies who drive much like health services and driving schools. For private owners, the better mileage does not make up for the higher prize and taxes.
Matt 8:49AM (5/28/2009)
Knifethrower, I hear what your saying, but I disagree. Just look at the actual mpg of the Jetta Bluetech as an example. People are not getting below the EU numbers, they are getting BETTER than the marked mpg. Everybody says the EU-cycle is "optimistic", but if you drive conservatively you will probably do even better. Check your tire pressure, drive the speed limit, and don't carry a home gym in your trunk any you'll get 70 mpg in the Polo. Just wait and see.
ISLAND DON 12:44PM (5/28/2009)
I agree that the US Jetta diesel seems to do better than its expected numbers in every roadtest I've read. The new Govt. MPG numbers are conservative not only for diesels but all the vehicles out there. My Mini is rated at 38MPG, where I can get 48MPG by cruising 65-70 with my cruise control on the flats(I've achieved it over and over). So 60-70 seems pretty realistic for the Polo, if driven conservatively.
ISLAND DON 12:03AM (6/03/2009)
LaT...you're 100% right! Right now I'm driving a 2006 CR-V and would trade it in tomorrow morning for a diesel CR-V if I could. And my other car, a Mini would be traded for a diesel Fit or Civic wihin the next six months. I don't believe they haven't done it already and are letting VW get the jump on them and get my money, when I buy that VW diesel Sportwagen soon and the diesel Rabbit later!
PeterG 9:41AM (5/28/2009)
It doesn't make any sense at all that this will be 16K, unless it has one of those lame alternator belt hybrids like GM makes.
My prediction is it will be within a couple of hundred bucks of the Insight, making it rather pointless.
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Russ Finley 1:26PM (5/28/2009)
"...because the diesels do offer that powerful torque curve...."
The Prius has more torque than the 2009 TDI Jetta. The acceleration rates are almost indistinguishable:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=132146/pageId=148684
http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/prius/2009/testdrive.html
Note that the Prius has much more torque available, which means they limit acceleration with the software to improve gas mileage.
"...there are no signifcant respiratory effects from diesel emissions, at least not worse than gasoline emissions?..."
The 2009 TDI Jetta gets a much worse EPA air pollution rating than the Prius:
http://www.biodiversivist.com
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