It’s Honda’s latest step towards world hybrid domination. The firm is looking to revolutionise green transport with the Global Hybrid car, which will appear at October’s Paris Motor Show.
The all-new Global Hybrid takes styling cues from the CR-Z concept, but it will be a five-door hatchback similar in size to a Ford Focus.
And according to Honda, the planet-saving model signals a new era in affordability and reliability for hybrid vehicles. It will undercut the Toyota Prius with prices from £15,000. The eco car also marks the start of plans to produce hybrid variants of every car in the range. It will begin with the new Jazz, followed by a new Civic, plus an Accord, Legend and small sports car inspired by the CR-Z.
The new hybrid will debut the second generation of the firm’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology. It mates a small petrol engine to an electric motor, which are both attached to either a standard manual or CVT auto. The electric motor is powered by nickel-metal hydride batteries, which are charged on the move via regenerative braking. Meanwhile, the first FCX Clarity fuel cell production car has rolled off the line in Japan.