Honda CEO Confirms Production of Fit Hybrid, CR-Z Coupe

We previously reported on the advancements of hybrid powertrains for Honda Motor Company, but recently the company divulged information as to the future of its hybrid-electric vehicles. In addition to the Civic Hybrid and 2010 Insight, Honda's CEO Takanobu Ito announced that the company will begin production of two new hybrid models starting next year - a sporty hybrid coupe based on the 2007 CR-Z Concept (pictured left) as well as a hybrid version of the Fit. Likely to both be 2011 model year vehicles, the production version of the CR-Z and the Fit hybrid will go on sale next year in Japan and possibly the United States, too. Both cars will use Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system and are expected to make their official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this October.

Set to launch next February, the sporty CR-Z (which stands for “Compact Renaissance Zero”) is expected to be sportier than both current hybrid offerings in Honda’s lineup. The naming of the CR-Z is also a bit of a nod to the iconic CRX from the 1980s, a car which is still known for its sportiness and its frugal fuel economy. Although it is likely to be built alongside the 2010 Insight, the production version of the CR-Z will probably use a larger displacement engine such as the 1.8-liter i-VTEC inline-4 used in the current Civic coupe and sedan. The styling of the CR-Z is highlighted by a large, angular grille and a swept roofline similar to the Insight. This design will most likely give the car very sleek aerodynamics which will further help establish it as a fuel-efficient sport coupe. While the concept had a futuristic interior, the production model will most likely feature Honda’s trademark two-tier instrument panel as well as a four-passenger layout. As evident by the U.S.-specific micro site, the Honda CR-Z will be available for sale in North America. Pricing will probably be somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000 to $30,000 for the base model.

As for the Fit Hybrid, Ito said that this car will go into production by the end of 2010, but no word has been given yet as to whether it will be available in the U.S. Likely to be powered by the same 1.3-liter i-VTEC inline-4 currently available in gasoline-powered version, the Fit Hybrid could see a significant boost in fuel economy compared to the current EPA estimates of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The benefit of using the Fit will not only reduce Honda’s research and development costs, but it will probably add around $2,000 to the price of the base Fit which would make it the most inexpensive hybrid vehicle on the market.

Honda is also developing a new hybrid-electric drive system to be used on “mid- to large-size vehicles” that could possibly signal a hybrid crossover or sport utility vehicle in Honda’s future. In 2007, Honda dropped the hybrid-electric version of the Accord with the intention of offering a diesel-powered version in the redesigned model, but with that model never coming to fruition, this announcement could open the door for the return of the Accord Hybrid. Even better, with the upcoming arrival of the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour, there could also be a hybrid model in the works for this sleek crossover.