Honda's New Hybrid Prius-Fighter Caught Desert Testing
No, it only looks like the Toyota Prius. The crafty car spies of KGP caught up again with the Honda engineering team in the hot desert sands out west. Just in the nick of time to take an exclusive first set of shots of Honda's new Prius-fighting hybrid. We don't know much about it other than we knew the boys from Honda had something in development to sit on top of Honda's hybrid hierarchy — in the slot just above the 2009 Honda Civic hybrid sedan we saw earlier today. We also know it'll be a global model. Otherwise, you're on your own. Hit the jump for the spy report.
We just caught Honda's hybrid-only model that's designed to take on the Toyota Prius. The shape and packaging of this prototype is clearly Prius-inspired, although the overall size looks larger than Toyota's hybrid favorite. The test group consisted of a Toyota Prius, Honda's facelifted Civic Hybrid, and this prototype, which is sure to be considered the top of Honda's hybrid vehicle range.
So, what do we think? Well, it looks a bit like a bulked-up Prius. Maybe the Honda's doing push-ups out there in the desert. However it's gotten that big, we're assuming because of the uncanny resemblance, it'll help sales.
Worst thing is, we don't even have a name for it, so feel free to tell us what you think they should call it in the comments below.
Call it the Honda CC.
Why CC?
Ahem... carbon copy. If that's really what the article says it is, Honda has lost some rep points, IMO. Bring back the Insight and show those Prius drivers what real power... er... MPG is all about!
The new Honda Hybrid is hideous! Not another Prius!
NO! NO, NO, NO! Given that the Prius is the worst looking car to be made in over a decade, why model the new Honda Hybrid after it? That look is wretched and needs to die. I wouldn't mind if all the Priuses vanished overnight, gas mileage be damned, just so I don't to look at the clunky things. It's about being BETTER than Toyota, not copying them to sell cars! Why can't the car manufacturers get it that what people really want is sleek, sporty, simple, efficient, inexpensive hybrids and electric cars, along the lines of the '08 Civic Si, Porche 944, Saab 92X, or my 2004 Honda Civic Si? Bring the green car's price down by making them smaller, sporty, hatchback, fun to drive, and easy to maintain. What the Prius dorks are missing is that efficiency doesn't have to come at the cost of looks. I hate all you Prius owners who said "I'm going to show my eco-friendliness by buying an ugly car just to show I'm willing to drive a turd that gets good mileage". If that's what the public is willing to settle for, like all you foolish Prius owners, then that's what they will produce. I say demand better. Make electric cars with wheel mounted motors (which have incredible torgue and horsepower by the way), make them out of carbon fiber, make them cool looking, and make them fast. If you need more info look up hypercars. RMI figured this stuff out a decade ago. Please spare us by skipping the ugly hybrids and go straight to the evolution of the hypercars. Amen.
NO! NO, NO, NO! Given that the Prius is the worst looking car to be made in over a decade, why model the new Honda Hybrid after it? That look is wretched and needs to die. I wouldn't mind if all the Priuses vanished overnight, gas mileage be damned, just so I don't to look at the clunky things. It's about being BETTER than Toyota, not copying them to sell cars! Why can't the car manufacturers get it that what people really want is sleek, sporty, simple, efficient, inexpensive hybrids and electric cars, along the lines of the '08 Civic Si, Porche 944, Saab 92X, or my 2004 Honda Civic Si? Bring the green car's price down by making them smaller, sporty, hatchback, fun to drive, and easy to maintain. What the Prius dorks are missing is that efficiency doesn't have to come at the cost of looks. I hate all you Prius owners who said "I'm going to show my eco-friendliness by buying an ugly car just to show I'm willing to drive a turd that gets good mileage". If that's what the public is willing to settle for, like all you foolish Prius owners, then that's what they will produce. I say demand better. Make electric cars with wheel mounted motors (which have incredible torgue and horsepower by the way), make them out of carbon fiber, make them cool looking, and make them fast. If you need more info look up hypercars. RMI figured this stuff out a decade ago. Please spare us by skipping the ugly hybrids and go straight to the evolution of the hypercars. Amen.
When you come up with a shape that can fit five people with the same amount cargo space and still achieve the same coefficient of drag as a Prius while maintianing all the NCAP pedestrian safety standards let us know.
__________________
1989 Accord DX Hatch: SOLD 04/99
1999 Civic EX Coupe: STOLEN 05/07
1989 325i 2-door: SOLD
1995 M3: Current
NO! NO, NO, NO! Given that the Prius is the worst looking car to be made in over a decade, why model the new Honda Hybrid after it?
i agree.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peteex
When you come up with a shape that can fit five people with the same amount cargo space and still achieve the same coefficient of drag as a Prius while maintianing all the NCAP pedestrian safety standards let us know.
damn. the truth she is a harsh mistress.
__________________ -clay long
Quote:
Originally Posted by B-rex;
Swap a motor from a s2k in that 240 then you will have a beast!!!
NO! NO, NO, NO! Given that the Prius is the worst looking car to be made in over a decade, why model the new Honda Hybrid after it? That look is wretched and needs to die. I wouldn't mind if all the Priuses vanished overnight, gas mileage be damned, just so I don't to look at the clunky things. It's about being BETTER than Toyota, not copying them to sell cars! Why can't the car manufacturers get it that what people really want is sleek, sporty, simple, efficient, inexpensive hybrids and electric cars, along the lines of the '08 Civic Si, Porche 944, Saab 92X, or my 2004 Honda Civic Si? Bring the green car's price down by making them smaller, sporty, hatchback, fun to drive, and easy to maintain. What the Prius dorks are missing is that efficiency doesn't have to come at the cost of looks. I hate all you Prius owners who said "I'm going to show my eco-friendliness by buying an ugly car just to show I'm willing to drive a turd that gets good mileage". If that's what the public is willing to settle for, like all you foolish Prius owners, then that's what they will produce. I say demand better. Make electric cars with wheel mounted motors (which have incredible torgue and horsepower by the way), make them out of carbon fiber, make them cool looking, and make them fast. If you need more info look up hypercars. RMI figured this stuff out a decade ago. Please spare us by skipping the ugly hybrids and go straight to the evolution of the hypercars. Amen.
If that's what the public is willing to settle for, like all you foolish Prius owners, then that's what they will produce. I say demand better. Make electric cars with wheel mounted motors (which have incredible torgue and horsepower by the way), make them out of carbon fiber, make them cool looking, and make them fast. If you need more info look up hypercars. RMI figured this stuff out a decade ago. Please spare us by skipping the ugly hybrids and go straight to the evolution of the hypercars. Amen.
Electric cars in mass production will NEVER happen as long as there is a gallon of oil left to squeeze a dollar out of. Look at every fully electric car ever built by a major manufacturer and they all look like shit. The reason is that they don't want an electric car to sell. If they did we'd get more like the Tesla. And what is all this fuss about "great" mpg with a hybrid? Since when is 40-45 MPG worth driving some horrid looking excuse for an automobile? I had an 83 Tercel that got 40 MPG. I had a 90 CRX that got 40-45 MPG. I have a 94 Sol that gets 40+ MPG when I drive it responsibly. So if 40 MPG was possible in 1983 with an ALL gasoline platform, why is 45 MPG in 2008 with a Hybrid a big deal? It's not, get a clue people. Every one of these fools that buys a hybrid because they think they're helping the environment is an idiot. The only thing buying some hideous piece of garbage that gets the same gas mileage as an 83 Toyota proves is that you're moron. Don't buy the Hypebrids, make them realize that when it comes to electric and zero emissions it's ALL or NOTHING.
__________________
"Credit-related identity theft can ruin your life for a couple of years. Criminal record identity theft can ruin your life forever. It is virtually impossible to wipe the slate clean."
Mods: Civic: JDM 1.5L ZC SOHC Vtec swap, AEM Cold Air Intake, DC Sports 4-2-1 Ceramic Header, Apexi WS-2 Catback Exhaust, VIS Carbon Fiber Trunk, Black 1-pc Projector Halo Headlights. Prelude: JDM H22a swap, Short Ram Air Intake...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Save_My_Sol
Electric cars in mass production will NEVER happen as long as there is a gallon of oil left to squeeze a dollar out of. Look at every fully electric car ever built by a major manufacturer and they all look like shit. The reason is that they don't want an electric car to sell. If they did we'd get more like the Tesla. And what is all this fuss about "great" mpg with a hybrid? Since when is 40-45 MPG worth driving some horrid looking excuse for an automobile? I had an 83 Tercel that got 40 MPG. I had a 90 CRX that got 40-45 MPG. I have a 94 Sol that gets 40+ MPG when I drive it responsibly. So if 40 MPG was possible in 1983 with an ALL gasoline platform, why is 45 MPG in 2008 with a Hybrid a big deal? It's not, get a clue people. Every one of these fools that buys a hybrid because they think they're helping the environment is an idiot. The only thing buying some hideous piece of garbage that gets the same gas mileage as an 83 Toyota proves is that you're moron. Don't buy the Hypebrids, make them realize that when it comes to electric and zero emissions it's ALL or NOTHING.
yep. you're exactly right. i remember looking up the cost of a hybrid versus how much i'd save in gas.. it'd take years and years before it payed itself off. and 40-45 mpg really isn't at all impressive. i'll drive my civic and be happy with my 30mpg and my car's stunning good looks
__________________ Powered by Rice.
[color=Navy]1994 Honda Civic DX hatchback
"The side-view mirror on Chuck Norris's car says 'objects in mirror have been round-house kicked in the face'."
"Chuck Norris recently had the idea to sell his urine as a canned beverage. We know this beverage as Red Bull."
NO! NO, NO, NO! Given that the Prius is the worst looking car to be made in over a decade, why model the new Honda Hybrid after it? That look is wretched and needs to die. I wouldn't mind if all the Priuses vanished overnight, gas mileage be damned, just so I don't to look at the clunky things. It's about being BETTER than Toyota, not copying them to sell cars! Why can't the car manufacturers get it that what people really want is sleek, sporty, simple, efficient, inexpensive hybrids and electric cars, along the lines of the '08 Civic Si, Porche 944, Saab 92X, or my 2004 Honda Civic Si? Bring the green car's price down by making them smaller, sporty, hatchback, fun to drive, and easy to maintain. What the Prius dorks are missing is that efficiency doesn't have to come at the cost of looks. I hate all you Prius owners who said "I'm going to show my eco-friendliness by buying an ugly car just to show I'm willing to drive a turd that gets good mileage". If that's what the public is willing to settle for, like all you foolish Prius owners, then that's what they will produce. I say demand better. Make electric cars with wheel mounted motors (which have incredible torgue and horsepower by the way), make them out of carbon fiber, make them cool looking, and make them fast. If you need more info look up hypercars. RMI figured this stuff out a decade ago. Please spare us by skipping the ugly hybrids and go straight to the evolution of the hypercars. Amen.
^^Agreed. That car kills your self esteem. I would much rather see sporty hybrids that won't make you feel like you lost your manhood.
Mods: 16s, apexi n1 catback, front and rear camber kit, jdm yellow fogs, etc.
I don't really see why companies feel they need to make new cars uglier and uglier...especially the hybrids. Don't you think if you were selling something you wanted alot of people to buy you would at least make it appealing?
Gross IMO.
Now maybe if they made an RSX hybrid.. that might be something worth looking into.
__________________
95 Civic DX "Totaled"
94 Civic EX "Sold"
97 Camaro "Sold"
95 Eclipse gst
94 Civic EX
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
The new Honda Hybrid is hideous! Not another Prius!
I wouldn't mind if all the Priuses vanished overnight, gas mileage be damned, just so I don't to look at the clunky things. It's about being BETTER than Toyota, not copying them to sell cars! Why can't the car manufacturers get it that what people really want is sleek, sporty, simple, efficient, inexpensive hybrids and electric cars, along the lines of the '08 Civic Si, Porche 944, Saab 92X, or my 2004 Honda Civic Si? Bring the green car's price down by making them smaller, sporty, hatchback, fun to drive, and easy to maintain. What the Prius dorks are missing is that efficiency doesn't have to come at the cost of looks. I hate all you Prius owners who said "I'm going to show my eco-friendliness by buying an ugly car just to show I'm willing to drive a turd that gets good mileage". If that's what the public is willing to settle for, like all you foolish Prius owners, then that's what they will produce. I say demand better. Make electric cars with wheel mounted motors (which have incredible torgue and horsepower by the way), make them out of carbon fiber, make them cool looking, and make them fast. If you need more info look up hypercars. RMI figured this stuff out a decade ago. Please spare us by skipping the ugly hybrids and go straight to the evolution of the hypercars. Amen.
Linear Mode
