REPORT: Honda plans a return to larger hybrids

[TheOtherDave™]

Filed under: Hybrid, Honda 2009 Honda Skydeck Concept - Click above for hi-res image gallery To put it mildly, sales of the Honda Accord Hybrid never quite set the world on fire. Regardless, Japan's Second Largest Automaker is reportedly hard at work developing its proprietary Integrated Motor Assist hybrid platform so that it can once again be used to power larger vehicles like the Accord. To make it all work out, Honda is adding an extra electric motor to the mix for a total of two, both of which will be more powerful than the single pancake motor used in the current Insight and Civic Hybrid. Also on the menu is a lithium ion battery pack to replace the current nickel metal hydride unit, with added capacity to allow for electric-only operation. Word on the street (or at least the Nikkei daily newspaper in Japan) is that Honda might place this next-gen hybrid powertrain in a minivan sometime in 2011 or so. Before that, though, we can look forward to the launch of Honda's sporty CR-Z hybrid hatchback. It's important to have your priorities straight, right? [Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]REPORT: Honda plans a return to larger hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More...

Registered and logged-in users don't see this ad! Register your free account today.

[umop-apisdn]

Looks like a current gen Fit with a CR-Z front.