Its the final press day at the LA Auto Show today before it opens to the general public tomorrow (November 19). After two days of media exclusives it is probably time to look at some of the previews that the lucky motoring hacks have been savouring.
Firstly there is Honda; with the world preview of a new Jazz electric vehicle concept (know as the Fit in some markets). This was revealed alongside a platform for a midsize plug-in hybrid vehicle. The Fit EV full electric concept is designed to hint strongly at the direction and styling a full production Fit EV will take when it is introduced to the US and Japanese markets in 2012.Meanwhile the all-new plug-in hybrid platform is designed to showcase Honda’s next-generation, two-motor hybrid technology set to debut in 2012.
Using a high-density motor, derived from the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle, the Fit EV will have a top speed of 90 mph and achieve an estimated 100-mile driving range per charge using the US EPA city cycle. Using the 3-mode electric drive system, adapted from the CR-Z sport hybrid (Econ, Normal, and Sport) driving range can be extended or driving response altered according to the driver’s requirements. In Econ mode, practical driving range can increase by as much as 17 per cent, compared to driving in Normal mode, while in Sport mode the acceleration improves significantly, generating performance similar to a vehicle equipped with a 2.0-litre petrol engine.
The Fit EV is designed to be easy and convenient to charge. Battery recharging can be accomplished in less than 12 hours when using a conventional 120-volt outlet, and less than six hours when using a 240-volt outlet.
Meanwhile the plug-in hybrid platform, which showcases Honda’s next-generation two-motor hybrid system is designed to be integrated into a mid-size sedan and is currently revealed to showcase the technology rather than as part of a specific car. Its designed to be compatible with ‘daily driving habits’ (a fancy way of saying it will please those who think a full EV won’t meet their needs), allowing for short, frequent trips in all-electric mode, as well as coping with long-distance driving.
In all-electric mode, the vehicle uses a 6kWh lithium-ion battery and a powerful 120 kW electric motor. The all-electric mode achieves a range of approximately 10-15 miles in city driving and a top speed of 62 mph. Fully recharging the battery will take 2 to 2.5 hours using a 120-volt outlet and 1 to 1.5 hours using a 240-volt outlet.
The vehicle can also run in a petrol-electric hybrid mode, the platform features a fuel-efficient 2.0-litre, i-VTEC® inline 4-cylinder, Atkinson cycle engine, paired with an electric Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT). An onboard generator adds to the battery powering the electric motor.
For more efficient high-speed cruising, the vehicle can engage in a direct-drive mode, in which only the engine drives the front wheels.
