2011 L.A. Show: Honda's Fit goes electric

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES - Honda had three “green” North American auto show debuts, with an all-new production version of its subcompact Fit EV, and updates to its existing Civic and Insight gasoline-electric hybrids.

 

Honda says the 2013 Fit EV, above, boasts a nearly 200 km combined city/highway range, and will lease it to U.S. customers in select California and Oregon markets next summer, then expand to six East Coast markets in early 2013. Priced at $36,625 (all US. dollars, the 1,100 Fit EVs will lease out at $399 a month over the next three years.

 

Along with the new-for-2012 gas-model Civics that went on sale earlier this spring, Honda is finally getting around to launching the hybrid version. The hybrid compact sedan comes with  a new, larger 1.5-litre engine (previously 1.3) and a new lithium-Ion battery system (previously nickel-metal hydride system) that deliver a combined city/highway EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 44 mpg—an increase of 3 mpg from the previous model.

The updated-for-2012 five-passenger, four-door Insight hybrid hatchback, left, gets new exterior styling, an “enhanced” interior, additional features on select models and an EPA fuel economy-rating1 improvement of 1 mpg—from 41 to 42 mpg.