Honda has revealed details on a few hybrid cars it will be producing over the next few years. One will be a hybrid version of the new Honda Fit, known as the Honda Jazz on our local shores. Honda wants to price the hybrid version of the Fit at a premium of a maximum of US$2,000 over the regular version of the Fit.
That could translate to about RM20,000 here in Malaysia: would you pay RM120,000 for a little zippy hybrid car, in face of the impending rises in fuel prices? This should be quite an exciting proposition if it ever makes it to our local shores. Unfortunately, this is only expected to be released in 2015, which should mean the hybrid Fit/Jazz will come in the form of the third generation car. We’ve yet to get the second generation here in Malaysia.
The other hybrid vehicle (one closer to reality compared to the Fit Hybrid) will be a dedicated hybrid-only 5-door 5-seater hatchback model aimed to be relatively affordable, due next year. Honda will design this hybrid vehicle to look like a smaller version of the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, so that consumers would easily identify it as a hybrid. Surveys have shown that hybrid vehicle buyers want their vehicle to look like a futuristic car because they want to make a statement that they’re into preserving the environment. Full product details will be announced later this year.
A third hybrid vehicle will be a production version of the Honda CR-Z compact sports car displayed at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, using a hybrid powertrain. The final car to be released in the next few years is the next generation Honda Civic Hybrid, expected to arrive in 2011 or 2012 after the release of the “regular” next generation Civic.
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The Japanese is making the lead in hybrid. T and H.
the interesting thing at this point is, the europeans are still continuing to enjoy their 40-50mpg diesels.
as the argument against diesel, perhaps.
But the prime argument for a Hybrid is not working on a monetary terms.
Hybrids are still too expensive for the additional perol savings. RM20k addition = 6666L@ an unsubsidized $3/L. For me. that’s equivalent to 6.4years of petrol. (assuming currently i burn about 20L per week). Factor in what 20k will bring in, in interest /w a moderately good investment and it does not make financial sense at all. If you are a tree hugger perhaps then.
Buy a regular Fit at “120k” and it comes with 6.4 years of free petrol and less complexity of a hybrid system. Doesn;t take much to figure out what people will choose.
Future technology will polarize into high efficient diesels/hydrogen fuel cell or Full electric.
They should do a hybrid Honda City and sell the same price at RM80,000. The size of engine should be 1.0 litre. This is deduce from Civic hybrid 1.3litre = 1.8litre.
Its expansive to make a hybrid car. The civic hybrid cost more than the Accord. Even then you need to travel a long distance for the car to actually pay back for itself
hybrid cars are expensive to make, however in the end of the day, it is people’s choice to buy them or not. i want one if i want to