The new car will be Honda’s second dedicated hybrid model after the Insight, which was released back in 1999, according to UK’s Autocar magazine. It seems Honda is tired of giving Toyota the hybrid limelight and is stepping up its game in the mid-size vehicle sector. The new vehicle is expected to be similar in size to the current Civic Hybrid, but it’s unclear whether both will be sold side-by-side.
Recent reports have suggested Honda is keen to build a plug-in hybrid and wants to beat perennial competitor Toyota to the market. At the moment the biggest complaint is with battery technology, which simply isn’t light or efficient enough. Expect next generation plug-in hybrids to hit the streets around 2010.
