2010 Honda Hybrid Spy Video

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2010 HONDA HYBRID:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/GeneralFuture/articleId=129607?tid=edmun...

It's been in the works ever since the Honda Insight went out of production in 2006, but this is the first time the 2010 Honda Hybrid Sedan has been caught out in the open. Designed as a direct competitor to the forthcoming 2010 Toyota Prius, this new Honda hybrid sedan is expected to debut early next year.

The styling is intended to mimic Honda's FCX Clarity, a hydrogen-powered sedan that Honda began leasing to the public this summer. The Clarity fuel-cell vehicle is closer in size to Honda's Accord sedan while this hybrid will fall somewhere between the Accord and the smaller Civic.

More important, this new hybrid sedan is expected to cost less than the Civic sedan. In a press conference earlier this year, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui told reporters that although the company's Prius fighter won't have next-generation lithium-ion batteries, the batteries it will use are lighter and more powerful than the current nickel-metal hydride variety.

John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda, added, "These new advancements in Honda's technology and production systems will result in cost reductions that will allow us to make hybrid technology available to a whole new generation of buyers."

In other words, even if the new 2010 Honda Hybrid is seen as nothing more than a Prius knockoff, it could still do well in the marketplace based on its rock-bottom price alone.

Add in the fact that it could realistically get 45-50 mpg and this new entry-level hybrid sedan could eclipse the Prius as the best-selling hybrid in America — that is, it will be if Honda decides to bump up production. At the moment, Honda expects to ship only 100,000 units to the U.S. per year beginning in the fall of 2009. If gas prices continue on their current trajectory, however, that number could be just the start.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 2010
• Honda
• Hybrid
• Spy
• Video
• alternative
• fuel
• efficiency
• Edmunds
• Inside
• Line

[BlazNnVA]

hondas are gettin uglier every year

[HostageKiller]

How come it looks like a Prius?

[venichen1]

LOL, how is the Insight a Prius copy. The Insight had that hatchback shape when the Prius was still a 4-door saloon.

[wowerman]

why most of these hybrid cars look ugly?

[etoyotarockshsucks]

got that that right!

[DanFrederiksen]

this is no longer newst. the honda insight has been for sale for a while now. and it's not even a competitor to the prius which in turn is no longer interesting either. we are talking battery drive these days. not weak assist for the combustion engine

[anric77]

i guess the design of the car is hidden with that black leather.

[BoboVicus]

it's not top secret at all. it's not even new. It's a friggin honda insight =/

[edpannewyork]

I'm running a honda jazz at the moment and thinking to have it upgraded but with that hybrid car...no fuckin way....I won't take that fuckin ugly car even just for free!... lol...

[Headshot426]

I don't think that ugly ass car has a chance. Want to clear out a previous model... introduce that turd.

[markmd9]

about 1 min i was trying to figure out if that car is so ugly or is covered up

[bolangmabola]

It's a test run on actual road conditions...Honda has to cover it up (even the logos) and distort the car in some way since it is not for sale yet... Check out how they were not able to cover up very well the Honda City in India, it can ruin sales if it leaks causing high inventory for previous model...