Honda Planning Hybrid Fit

Honda is planning a hybrid version of its Fit subcompact car, according to reports from a Japanese newspaper. With a projected price of about $12,000, the Fit hybrid would be the cheapest hybrid vehicle available. Significantly, if such a price point could be reached, Honda would have achieved its long-held goal of selling hybrids at a premium of only $1,700 over the conventional gasoline model. The Fit hybrid could be introduced as early as 2007, perhaps with an engine even smaller than the 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter four-cylinders currently powering Fit models around the world. The reported fuel economy target falls between the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, or between 55 and 63 mpg, respectively.

This news closely follows the Fit's U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Long one of Honda's best-selling models in Asia and Europe - where it is called the Jazz - the Fit comes to the U.S. to take on the likes of the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris in the resurging subcompact class. The U.S. Fit model pictured here is powered by a 1.5-liter VTEC engine that is expected to return 33 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.