It totally looks like a Prius!! A littler longer and a little shorter height wise to make it more sleek looking. I'm pretty sure Toyata spent countless hours windtunnel testing the Prius for effecient aerodynamics.....looks like Honda came to the same conclusion :p

I like what I see but by the time it's released the design may be "dated" since the shape is so familiar to the general public!

i cant see the Honda grille. maybe is the prototype of the new hybrid camaro or something.

It looks like the shape of the Honda FCX concept

Why is it impossible to build a hybrid car that doesn't look completely ridiculous. Right now the civic or the camry are the only ones I'd even consider.

@ idiots:

You mean you don't like the Lexus RX400h and LS600l?

Anyways, I think the front is more reminiscent of a Civic, while only the rear looks like a Prius. Actually, the roofline follows that of the Prius also. The doors seem a bit odd though. While the current Prius can pass for a coupe-sized hatchback to the extreme, this just looks more like a wagon. Looks like Honda is trying to take a away all those EPA fleet sales from Toyota.

why the hell would anyone want to build a prius look-a-like. its hideous.

when is wind resistance that important of a factor in fuel economy? im not a scientist but i think the car is a great idea but they should just make a honda fit hybrid not this prius in sheeps clothing.

I agree, completely hideous.

I think most of the high-efficiency hybrids will end up with the same general shape dictated by physics. It comes down to a balancing equations of maximizing interior volume while minimizing wind resistance. For those demanding the ultimate efficiency, they will have to compromise exterior design.

There are some good comments on the source page regarding this.

I don't think wind resistance is that much of a concern in stop and go traffic. They'll mostly be looking at light weight materials and battery life. I don't know why they can't come out with a good looking hybrid car, its really not that hard...just put a hybrid system in the current honda accord (MHO looks good, not great) and call it a day.

Well wind resistance is an exponential power draw, not linear. That's why a Veyron needs 1000 hp to hit 255 mph, while most 200-250 hp cars can do 155.

If you can drop the wind resistance a little it gives you the ability to make a more conservative engine. I'm surprised my Corolla is as non-aerodynamic as it is. At least it feels like it is. I can draft off of an big rig at a distance of about 10-12 feet, and it gets whipped all around in a cross wind. My old Cavalier (a 96 piece) took about 5 feet or less to draft and was pretty solid in a cross wind.

One day we will all be driving the government car, an egg with a 1L 3 cylinder, painted primer brown. At least the parts will be cheap. And who will need air bags, it's not like an Escalade is going to hit you....

The Look of a Prius!

Does not anyone remember what Honda said years ago? Honda had the first hybrid, the Insight, then they had the most hybrids, Insight, Civic hybrid, Accord hybrid. But the combined sales of all three of those were not enough to match the one Prius. Honda Later admitted that people don't just want to drive a hybrid, they want to look like they are driving a hybrid.

The Prius' hideous looks are exactly why it sells so well over other hybrids. It makes a public statement "I know I'm driving an ugly car but I'm far from the conventional car camp! I'm a Greeny"

While the Insight made that statement, the Prius was a better car overall. Larger less compromise with similar mileage. Honda then went the opposite route thinking something more conventional would sell better.

@ Jason

The Lexus hybrids are marketing junk with 15 year payoffs on the increased mileage. They may be moderately faster, but it's not like they're close to being performance cars/suv's anyways, so what's the point?

The real reason I won't buy the two you pointed out is I can't afford them (responsibly, not literally) because they're brand new. Luxury cars have to be out a few years before they dip into my price range.

Well, I can't find the reference but I recall reading where Honda decided that the Prius was so successful because it IS odd-looking. They had a hybrid Accord, but it didn't sell. They had the Insight. They have the Civic Hybrid but still Prius is considered to be "the" hybrid.

i Think the theory was that people who drive hybrids (not all of them) often wish to stand out as hybrid drivers. If the car looks a bit quirky, than so much the better.

Weird, huh?

I used to own an Mazda '04 RX8, but after the second engine at 30k miles and lot's of mechanical engine and electrical problems I was forced to get rid of it. But, why can't Mazda junk the rotary and drop in an electric motor into the RX8 platform - Be more like the Chevy Volt? Instead of a boring Prius or this Honda hybrid abortion, Mazda could have a nice looking light weight electric car with a gas generator backup? Sure, no where near the performance of the original RX8, but great looking and fun. Honda should simply build the '08 civic coupe as an all electric car (with generator backup) rather than make this Toyota copy.

Why does everyone underestimate the complexity of building a mass-produced electric car?

@ the aerodynamic comments

You'd be amazed at what a difference aerodynamics make on fuel economy and performance. They start to make a difference once you get to about 25-30km/h (15-20mph). Just ask any performance cyclist, aerodynamics are extremely important and, as mentioned, exponentially important relative to speed. Biking into a head wind vs a tail wind can make the difference between biking 30km/h and 45km/h.

>Why does everyone underestimate the complexity of
>building a mass-produced electric car?

Ummm, GM/Saturn has already done it with the EV...and that was !!! 12 years ago !!! Yes, the EV-1 came out in the end of 1996. (well...maybe not "mass-produced")

Additionally, electric motors are simple compared to the thousands of moving parts on a typical gasoline combustion engine.

>Why does everyone underestimate the complexity of
>building a mass-produced electric car?

Ummm, GM/Saturn has already done it with the EV...and that was !!! 12 years ago !!! Yes, the EV-1 came out in the end of 1996. (well...maybe not "mass-produced")

Additionally, electric motors are simple compared to the thousands of moving parts on a typical gasoline combustion engine.

Uhhh, and the EV-1 was a failure, hence it's not being produced. There is a severe impracticality to having car that has to stop for a few hours after going only 150 miles or so. If you don't think so, use your trip odometer, and every time you hit 150 miles before you make it home, pull over on the side of the road for 4 hours. If you only have to do that 2 or 3 times a YEAR, you'll see why very few people would ever want to own one: You have to have a "conventional" car for any sort of long range driving. That makes the cost of any EV prohibitive.

And don't gripe about all of the conspiracy theories as to how and why the EV-1 was killed, because none of them hold water. There hasn't been a single automotive manufacturer that has been successful with an electric vehicle.

The Tesla is in the news a lot, and every time they turn around, they are lowering the performance specs of the car, as it gets closer and closer to production. On top of that, the Tesla is $100k.

So, when they can make an EV that can go 300 or so miles, and then recharge in 10 minutes, then they'll become practical.

Also note that in many locations in this country, an electric car is a coal powered car.

"Also note that in many locations in this country, an electric car is a coal powered car." - JB

Yes, but a newer coal power plant will reach efficiency in the 55-60% range, while the best automotive ICE (internal combustion engine) will be only 20% efficient cruising down the highway at 55mph (don't even think about 75mph+).

No it won't. Combined cycle natural gas plants hit that efficiency, but coal plants don't, no matter how new they are. The best available coal technology improves emissions, but can't subvert the thermodynamic laws that limit coal plants to an energy conversion efficiency of 33%-35%. Better than IC, but a dirtier source of power.

"Uhhh, and the EV-1 was a failure, hence it's not being produced. There is a severe impracticality to having car that has to stop for a few hours after going only 150 miles or so. If you don't think so, use your trip odometer, and every time you hit 150 miles before you make it home, pull over on the side of the road for 4 hours."

Also ask yourself, "Why not plug it in when I get home instead of waiting to hit another 150 miles?" Very few people drive that much every day, so electric car with that range would be very practical.

@ JB

I stand corrected (thanks wikipedia).

the shape and dimensions of a Prius is defined by the parts and how much interior space they think is enough.
I know Honda doesn't want the look of a Prius, but it is the only way/design to be most practical.

also, i'm very sure of this. the hybrid synergy drive of toyota is the best designed hybrid, among thousands of combinations they've thought and researched on, for this point in time.
i have also a design in mind similar posted by Sparky, an electric vehicle with a backup gasoline generator. Probably, battery technology is not mature yet for that design.

Dave:
"Think the theory was that people who drive hybrids (not all of them) often wish to stand out as hybrid drivers. If the car looks a bit quirky, than so much the better."

I think you have a good point here. Since many tend to buy cars for the 'cool' or 'performance' factor, a Prius stands out as 'look at me, i'm green'.

Since I drive less than 8 miles/day for work, an electric car is perfect. I just can't stand the look of the Prius, where I really liked the RX8 (and the chevy volt concept). One reason I will never buy a Prius and this Honda is that I want the 'look at me, I'm green and have a nice looking car too' factor.

Once they figure out the battery issues, I vote to have a 'turbo' button that gives a huge suge of power, even short lived, just for a quicky race or passing.....

BTW, I just went to our yearly classic car 'cruise' of muscle cars (american classics rule!). Wow, the noise, power, and body styles were great to admire. I wonder what this will be in 50 years? (problably all electric and completely quiet! lol...)

@ Alex Greene: My point exactly.

The EV-1 was too early for its time (who wanted one with <= $1.50/gallon gas) and GM blundered its marketing (remember you couldn't actually buy one...you had to lease it). That combined with the less-than-friendly eco-minded joe-sixpack (who wants an electric car when I can drive my Dodge Ram MegaCab V-10 dually 4x4 10 miles to/from work)...That's the real reason why the EV-1 failed.

I think there is an untapped market for electric vehicles with <= 150 mile range that people could use for commuting. Build it, and build it cheap, and they will come.

You're missing the point about the practicality of an electric car. It's like the practicality of owning a truck. It's not that you need to haul something ALL the time, it's that you need to haul lumber or tow a boat a few times a year. That makes driving a truck all year long a cheaper alternative than buying BOTH a vehicle to commute in, and a truck to haul stuff with. See what I'm getting at?

There's no doubt that electric cars are practical for commuting. That's not what I'm disputing. I'm simply saying that 99% of people are going to need to drive farther than 150 miles between charges often enough that they will need TWO vehicles.

So, economically, you know have to own 2 vehicles to make the electric practical. And the exact people who can afford to have a "long range" vehicle collecting dust until the need it 3 times a year are the same people who can afford to pay for gasoline in a car that doesn't get that great of a MPG figure.

It's in the same vein of driving a 15 MPG car that's paid for vs. going out and buying a new Civic or Prius. Unless you drive a ton of miles, you would spend thousands on the car to save hundreds in gas.

Like I said, over the next 6 months, do the little odometer trick that I mentioned above. Yes, 95% of the time, you'll get home before you travel 150 miles. It's the 5% of the time that you won't that causes the impracticality.

Additionally, I think the market has shown that electric cars won't sell. The technology is proven, and everyone knows the pluses and minuses, so if you think these electric cars would just fly off dealers lots (much like Toyota can't build enough Priuses), then why isn't at least ONE manufacturer making one?

Capitalism would casue someone to put an electric model out there. There's just too much money to be made for something like that that would be in demand. Dealers here won't even negotiate the price on a Prius. You pay the sticker price, or the next person in line will.

But the manufacturers know that for the majority of people who can only afford a single car for a single driver, the electrics won't cut it.

IMO, the reason hybrids are a popular option (despite the concerns of batteries and long term maintenance, etc) is that they offer mileage improvements without the buyer drastically changing their habits. A pure electric car can and will probably service the commuting habits of most people (majority drive <40miles daily for work). However, there needs to be improvements in infrastructure and range requirements for a pure electric vehicle ( the mythical yet elusive 300miles per charge). Also batteries are affected by weather extremes, load cycles, accessories that make mileage ranges vary drastically from temperate regions like California to drastic weather swings in the Northeast. A pure electric vehicle losing its charge in the middle of traffic congestion (approx 30 million gallons of wasted fuel daily due to traffic gridlock in major metropolitan areas) presents new obstacles (mobile quick charging centers/trucks)whereas a conventional ICE vehicle can still get a gollon of fuel and be on their way. There are other companies exploring different hybrid technologies; mechanical and super capacitor to name the main options. Both will eliminate batteries, but are still in the experimental stages. (both will be used in the upcoming Formula 1 season)

If thats a false rear end,it looks a lot like the old crx's,which I miss greatly.

UGLY! Just like the Prius... A car is more that a body mover, please.