At first glance this may look like Honda’s “Airwave” – a small Asian-market people-mover or wagon. With an expected facelift on the Airwave for the 2009 model year, it would have been easy to assume that this was just a freshening. Although it did seem odd to see two left-hand-drive versions of the Asia-only Honda.
It was difficult to see the body-coloured panels welded on from afar, but getting a close-up look at this “Airwave” - we quickly noticed the front clip and headlamps were right off the Japanese version of the Jazz/Fit. In addition – the dash and all the gauges were right off the Fit. This was no Airwave! Nor was this a Fit!
This is actually a developmental test mule for the much-publicized 2010 “Global Small Hybrid”. And this isn’t speculation!
Because styling details aren’t visible, sources were willing to divulge a few details about these very vehicles, and we were able to confirm that these are in fact engineering mules for Honda’s Prius-fighting Hybrid.
Honda’s all-new hybrid, which will debut in 2009, is expected to exceed the current Prius’ miles-per-gallon rating – as well as offering the vehicle at a lower base price. World-wide, sales are estimated at 200,000 units annually, with 100,000 – or half of the cars sold – to be in the United States. The new hybrid will be built in Suzuka, Japan, and will offer an all-new and dedicated hybrid powertrain.
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