Honda hybrid spy photos (FCX)
19 Jul, 2008
16 Comments 
We’ve talked about Honda building a stand alone hybrid model to rival the Prius for some time. Arch rival Toyota has always had the winning advantage having the Prius as its own specialised model. So much so that the name Prius has now become synonymous with hybrid cars and technology.
Honda on the other hand has been criticised over the years for essentially packaging a hybrid car in the same skin as its bread and butter model (Honda Civic). Somewhat confusing the market, or not differentiating enough. After all, many hybrid owners want the world to know they drive a hybrid!
The car which will change it all for Honda is the new Honda Hybrid captured by our photographers yesterday (pictured). We currently have no name for the car as Honda has not released any details. But we do know its based on the FCX concept.
We also know it will cost less than the Civic Hybrid but will use the same so called Integrated-Motor-Assist-System IMA that already powers the Civic.
Honda is working on several other hybrid models as well, with the new CR-Z (CR-X) also expected to be powered by a hybrid powertrain.
Will the Honda hybrid dethrone the Prius? Unlikely, given the years of unchallanged publicity Toyota has enjoyed, but we’d like to be proven wrong!
Make sure you read our Toyota Prius .vs. Honda Civic Hybrid review.
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July 19th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Looks like the Prius now has some competition from the Honda hybrid which can only be good for the consumer as it provides more choice.
Cheers !
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July 19th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Yawn, couldn’t be bothered reading the comparison between the Honda and Toyota con-mobiles.
At least Honda is not actively trying to fool the world about the green virtues of their Civic (they surely are rueing that Toyota has won the game of bluff).
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July 19th, 2008 at 8:36 am
merc,bmw,VW,audi,GM,hyundai even porsche is going hybrid way its about time toyota had some competition.I hope hybrids wont be boring in the near future.
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July 19th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I thought car advice was having us on..It looks just like a Prius. But if you closely you can see the CRVs ‘double-chin’ front bumper. Well…If you cant beat them…Join ‘em.
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July 19th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
“Rocket_v6 Says:
July 19th, 2008 at 8:36 am
…….I hope hybrids wont be boring in the near future.”
On the 22nd July at The British Motor Show, Honda will be revealing the production version of the CR-Z hybrid sports car.From all accounts that I have read,that car will be coming to Australia.There may also have a regular engine as an alternative.
According to an overseas website,the CR-Z will be a 1.6L producing 148kW.
Best to wait and see until Honda’s official announcement.
I’m sure in the immediate future,we’ll hear toyotas announcement about their hybrid sports car :)
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July 19th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Bottom picture looks like the Prius.
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July 20th, 2008 at 5:23 am
thanx for the info fasthonda
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July 20th, 2008 at 8:21 am
So Honda is challenging toyota in the hybrid world, ai. well from what i can see in the pictures its close already, no not the sales that this car is gona acheive, the way it looks, anyone could of sworn thats the new prius, Looks almost pretty identical to me.
Although i must say, im suprised Toyota hasn’t been to much into and hydrogen powered cars.
I mean GM have had the GM HyWire finished since 2003, Honda completed their Honda FCX Clarity last year, and yet Toyota with all their japanese technology and boringness still havn’t managed to complete a hydrogen powered car. Now i know all we need is a hydrogen filling station and GM and Honda will be on their way.
Oh btw for those who dnt know already Hydrogen powered cars comit no emissions at all, 0 Co2 comes out. all that comes out of the back of a hydrogen powered car is water.
Now im not much into these boring, slow, & shitty Hybrids & hydrogen powered cars, but i am into cars no the less. And all i can say, is if ur thinking of buying a hybrid, dnt even bother. I mean whats wrong with a diesel. Diesel cars are more economical, more efficient, and cause less Co2 than Hybrids.
(As proven on caradvice.com.au & many other car sites, magazines, and Car shows.)
And not to mention But Diesel cars are more powerful than Hybrids, and u have a wide range and selection of diesels to choose from which are also nicer looking than these Hybrids. Their are from BMW 5 series, to VW Golf/Polo all the way down to hyundai’s.
Oh and just on a different note. Recent studies showed that the Building of a Toyota Prius (which also includes the making of its special batteries etc) Causes more Global damage in the Long Term than a Range Rover Does in the short term.
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July 20th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Reckles Honda dont try to fool the world with their hybrid Civic because its not really a genuine hybrid like the Prius. This idea that Toyota is the bad guy is quite funny, if you think any manufacturer does things in your interest and not the shareholders then you are truly deluded.
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July 20th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Congratulations Honda u have finally given your Hybrid the butt ugly Hybrid look. Should sell a treat with the enviro nazis out to impress all and sundry with their new eco drive.
After all what’s the use if no one knows u are driving one.
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July 20th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Hey, TP are u doing your bit for emissions and wearing your butt plug tonight? LOL.
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July 21st, 2008 at 8:37 am
Why go and build it to look like the Prius..??WTF!!
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July 21st, 2008 at 9:44 am
technofreak, probably because the current civic hybrid didn’t sell nearly as well as the prius despite being significantly cheaper, and by all reviews a much better to drive, almost solely because it looks just like a normal car.
We mustn’t forget the majority of hybrid owners don’t buy a hybrid because they care about the environment, but more because they want everyone else to think they care about the environment.
And I think its styled more like the FCX clarity than the prius, so hopefully without the extra cladding it’ll look a lot nicer.
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July 21st, 2008 at 9:50 am
also TP how the hell is the civic hybrid ‘not a genuine hybrid’?! It produces drive power from both electric and petrol motors, hence hybrid, and uses regenerative braking to recharge the batteries. Just because the preferred drivetrain power source is the petrol motor instead of the electric, doesn’t make it any less a ‘hybrid’.
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August 5th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
damn, i wish they keep the next generation honda civic the same shape likes its siblings, this thing looks ugly!
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August 13th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Was travelling from the Gold Coast to Brisbane on Monday morning the 11/08/08 and followed the same car up the M1. The only difference was this car had covers over the rear wheel arches. It’s rego was plate was 99MPG. It certainly had no difficulty keeping up with the traffic at 110 and certainly no difficulty passing others.
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