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OK folks, now that the new Prius-fighter from Honda has officially seen the sheet dropped at the Paris Motor Show early this morning, it's time to ask the important question — which one will win? In one corner, you've got the long-time champion of the hybrid arena. In the other, the pugnacious new Honda Insight , determined to beat the Prius in at least one chart — price. With that, here's the question: Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.
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Apparently, even in light of Chrysler's announcement this morning , Honda thinks all this plug-in hybrid stuff is nonsense...at least until battery technology is up to the task, reports Bloomberg News . Masaaki Kato, head of Honda's research unit, said "For battery-powered vehicles to become more widespread, more popular in the market, we feel battery technology needs to advance further." Kato considers the rapid release of a plug-in hybrid when technology isn't quite up to the task could be a PR disaster, and he hints at such, remarking that the expectations for plug-ins are big and "we don't know that that could be sustained right now." Instead, Honda will continue work on its hydrogen fuel-cell FCX Clarity , which the company considers less technologically challenging than developing advanced batteries. Kato explains the problem with battery-powered vehicles as a simple problem of weight versus energy content: lithium-ion batteries hold less than half...
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As Toyota readies the new next-gen 2010 Prius , Honda has been working feverishly to bring its own dedicated hybrid model to market — at a price point lower than the Prius — after discontinuing the Insight nearly three years ago. We've gone to our sources and put together the best of the rumors, suspicions and ruminations to bring you this comprehensive guide of what we expect from the new Honda hybrid that has yet to receive a public name. Even more speculatively, we've spared no expense to commission a rendering from the good people at KORSdesign to show what they expect it to look like. So hit the jump to see what we expect to see first hand at the Paris Motor Show later this year. Click here for our rendering of the new Honda hybrid! As far as a name, the one thing we're told it won't be is "Insight." As far as a sales target and strategy Honda plans to bring to market four new gas-electric models over the next four years, as part of a broad global...
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With all the talk about alternative powertrains and who has the most hybrids, one statistic stands out: It's been more than five years since the second-generation Toyota Prius hit showrooms, marking the most recent new vehicle to have been designed only as a hybrid. And, as hybridcars.com reports, that's a huge challenge for Honda as it prepares to introduce its new Honda hybrid Prius-fighter. Not only does the new car need impeccable aerodynamics and the ability to seat five, but it also needs to be easily distinguished as a hybrid, yet instantly identifiable as a Honda and not a Prius. No matter how much they claim otherwise, hybrid buyers like to wear their green credentials on their sleeves. That's the beauty of the Prius: It can scream "green" without being covered with badging like the Tahoe Hybrid . It's smugness lies in its subtlety. So how can Honda rip off the Prius design while still producing a unique design? We're not sure, but if the artist's...
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Honda has been diligently working on its Toyota Prius -fighter, a dedicated Honda hybrid expected to go on sale early in 2009. But they recently pulled out the trump card in this battle royal — a starting price of just $18,500. The five-door, five-passenger hybrid-only car will get to that low, low price point by using a greatly simplified — and 50% cheaper — version of its Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. Seems the mileage wars are really starting to heat up. galleryPost('NewHondaHybridSpy', 6, 'Prius Shaped Honda Hybrid Testing Out In The Desert'); Jalopnik Snap Judgment: Considering the Honda hybrid will be coming in a whopping $3,000 less than the base Prius and will wear the depreciation-proof Honda badge, we're betting the number one super-best automaker from the land of the rising sun will be redoubling efforts on its 2010 Toyota Prius . Within three years, we'll be looking at volume sales of high-mileage offerings from Toyota, Honda...
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It looks like 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. galleryPost('NewHondaHybridSpy', 8, 'Honda Hybrid Heating Up In Summer Sun'); 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...
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The quick-to-the-snap spy photographers at KGP caught this facelifted 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid sedan out sunning itself in the California desert. This newly nipped and tucked 'lectrified Civic looks like it's getting a new front bumper with a three-intake design rather than the current single-holed intake. And check out that grille opening surrounding the big Honda "H." Yup, it certainly looks more angular to us. Check out the rest of the subtle changes below the jump in the full spy report. galleryPost('2009HondaHybridCivicSpyS', 6, 'Honda Civic Sedan Gets A Bit Of Botox'); We caught Honda testing a prototype for a facelifted Civic Hybrid in the California desert. The revamped Civic gets a new front bumper, with a three-intake design in place of the current model's single central intake. A redesigned, more angular grille-opening surrounds the Civic's familiar chrome bar containing the Honda "H." It also appears that the headlights'...
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The Honda Civic hybrid is the latest victim of the hybrid tax break exemption. Beginning on July 1, the tax credit for owning a Honda Civic hybrid will be sliced in half, from $1,050 to $525, on its way down to zero. If you recall , owners of hybrid vehicles are only eligible for the full tax credit until the manufacturer sells 60,000 units of that particular hybrid vehicle. Then a phase-out process begins, eventually reducing the credit to nothing except that warm glow you get from the batteries exploding saving the planet . If you're looking to get the most bang for your hybrid buck, it's best to avoid the Honda Civic hybrid, Toyota Prius and Toyota Camry hybrid—the tax credit on the latter two have already been reduced to zero. There's a good number of eligible hybrids, but at the rate people are snatching up these vehicles, don't expect the full tax credit to last. [ LA Times ]
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Remember all of the hubbub about James Dyson, the man behind the Dyson line of vacuums, tossing his hat into the electric vehicle ring ? Yeah, not so much. A company spokesman eliminated the chance for years worth of "electric cars suck" puns, saying "James did say that our digital motor could power a car, but we are not working on, and have no plans to create, an electric car." So what do they have plans to create? Even from the initial reports, it never seemed as though Dyson wanted assemble vehicles himself; rather, it seemed he was alluding to selling motors and technology to current automaker. So, while we take Dyson's statement that they're not working on an electric vehicle as truth, that doesn't mean we won't hear about the company in a vehicular capacity again at some point in the future. [ Autocar ]
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James Dyson, the man behind the Dyson line of high-end vacuums, is diving into the world of alternative energy vehicles with the development of a solar-powered car. Employing roof-mounted solar panels, or, alternately, panels mounted on the roof of a garage, the motor on the solar-powered vehicle will take its nod from Dyson's successful line of vacuum cleaners. When asked why he's embarking on the new venture, Dyson reportedly said, with some indignation, that he just thinks electric cars should work properly. Dyson is hoping to partner with big-name carmakers like Honda on the project, but there's no word yet on who will be responsible for styling. We're sure there are some quarters in which a purple-and-yellow plastic car would be considered a positive design statement. [ Dailymail ]
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Honda's hoping to snag some love from the Hollywood hype machine for their new green machine, the hydrogen fuel-cell-powered FCX Clarity . Honda's producing 200 of the fuel cell vehicles for distribution to celebrities and other Hollywood luminaries to build buzz for the 73 MPG technological wonder. True, these drivers may not need the fuel efficiency as they drive around with their poodles to pick up their grande skim latte, but whatever, they're influential. Wait a second — why does this sound so similar? Probably because it's the same distribution plan GM's using for their own Chevy Equinox hydrogen fuel cell-powered game-changer. But while the General got a six-month head start on the hype-building, Honda's got one thing they don't have — an attractive vehicle. Yeah, it's the little things. Don't cry GM — there, there — you'll win one of these days. Hey, look on the bright side — when's the Chevy Volt coming out...
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Honda's hoping to snag some love from the Hollywood hype machine for their new green machine, the hydrogen fuel-cell-powered FCX Clarity . Honda's producing 200 of the fuel cell vehicles for distribution to celebrities and other Hollywood luminaries to build buzz for the 73 MPG technological wonder. True, these drivers may not need the fuel efficiency as they drive around with their poodles to pick up their grande skim latte, but whatever, they're influential. Wait a second — why does this sound so similar? Probably because it's the same distribution plan GM's using for their own Chevy Equinox hydrogen fuel cell-powered game-changer. But while the General got a six-month head start on the hype-building, Honda's got one thing they don't have — an attractive vehicle. Yeah, it's the little things. Don't cry GM — there, there — you'll win one of these days. Hey, look on the bright side — when's the Chevy Volt coming out...
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Overseas, Honda is looking at different ways to generate power for hybrid engines. The latest technique involves a Rankine cycle-co-generation unit, which can be used to produce energy from the heat produced from an engine. In tests, a Honda Stream outfitted with a Rankine unit generated three times as much electricity using the engine heat than just the regenerative braking system alone. A Rankine unit basically turns your engine into a sustainable steam engine. The engine heats compressed water, therefore producing steam that turns a generator. See? Simple. If only the Doc and Marty had had a Rankine system in Back to the Future III ... [ Green Car Congress ]
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You know, everything is usually better when you put ultra- in front of the name, except in the case of alternative energy automotive technologies. UltraBattery? Are you kidding me? Is that really the name? UltraBattery is the work of a team of researchers at Australia's national science agency. The "ultra" aspect of this battery is its ability to out-ast traditional battery systems. And despite how much I rag on its name, the technology isn't too shabby. It works by combining the tried and true lead-acid battery with supercapacitors. These UltraBatteries are capable of quickly charging and releasing energy over millions upon millions of cycles, with little to no battery degeneration. A Honda Insight outfitted with an UltraBattery completed a 100,000 mile track test in Britain, running on the battery alone. In addition to the increased lifespan, the batteries reportedly provide 50-percent more power and are 70-percent cheaper than the current nickel metal-hydride batteries...
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The most remarkable thing about driving Honda's FCX Clarity prototype isn't how it emits nothing but water, its torquey, 13,500 rpm electric motor, hydrogen equivalent of 68 miles per gallon or the perverse pleasure that goes with driving a multimillion-dollar automobile. It's the air-conditioned seats. Notice I said driving , because other than the whirring buzz of the motor, the Clarity goes, brakes and turns just like any other car. I had to keep reminding myself I was indeed behind the wheel of a hydrogen fuel-cell powered feat of engineering. Frankly, the Clarity feels like a slightly larger Accord. Again, Honda's latest FCX uses no gasoline whatsoever and behaves just like -- no, make that exactly like -- a regular car. And those AC seats? They have built-in fans to blow thermoelectrically cooled air, so no ozone-killing chlorofluorocarbons are needed to chill your fat butt. Pretty neat. galleryPost('claritydrive', 12, 'Jalopnik Drives the Honda FCX Clarity'...
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