Yes I too, am wondering why is there a white Prius hanging around the car. In fact the above image has raised more question than answers, a fact further compounded by the presence of a Ford Edge (hidden behind) as well.
The usual "modus-operandi" for drivers of pre-production or prototype vehicles is that they must not stop the car unless for very extremely dangerous situations. If they do stop the car, the vehicle must be quickly covered. And usually, there will be at least one more support vehicle, which will sometimes be used to block the path of over-zealous journalists or anybody trying to take photos of the car. Such conditions are usually relaxed when nearing its global launch timing, which brings us to another rumour. Word on the blogosphere is that Honda's "Global Small Hybrid" will be previewed in this October's Paris Motor Show. At the very least I would expect a "display" close to production concept as Toyota's third generation 2010 Prius is said to be previewed in the January 2009 Detroit Motor Show.
Personally, I am quite convinced that this is the real deal. It's very clear that the vehicle shares the same "corporate" grille and even silhoutte with the FCX Clarity (on-lease in California and Japan only). It even shares the same grille design with the Asian market Fit Aria / City!
More pictures can be found here via Autoweek.
With the FCX-Clarity being Honda's high profile "hero-champion" hybrid car, it is reasonable to expect other lesser hybrid models from Honda to draw on the familiar design elements of the FCX-Clarity.
There are also many comments that the design of this car is rip-off from the Prius, down to the position of the rear wipers! But I beg to differ. Honda is too proud as a company to copy anything from Toyota. The similarities here are mostly down to pragmatism to deal with the same set of technical limitations rather a lack of creativity.
The presence of a Civic-like twin-tier instrument binnacle clearly marks it out as a Honda.
The Prius-like silhoutte is because any manufacturer hoping to build a high-mileage eco-car must follow the Kamm-back design principle - which basically means the most aerodynamically efficient design is that of a gradually tapering rear-end that is abruptly truncated. Honda Insight have adopted this design since 1999, way before the second-generation Prius launched in 2003.
Kamm-back tail of the Honda Insight.
Related post :
Spyshot of third generation 2010 Prius
Come 2009, let the hybrid car wars begin
1 comments:
i've been seriously considering purchasing a prius, but...you have opened my horizons on hybrids. which one is the best in overall quality?
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