Honda's latest hybrid concept has 400hp on tap

1 November 2001: Honda has already led the way in providing a hybrid sporty car with its two-seater Insight which we'll be driving this coming week, but nobody else will be in Ireland unless they're prepared to pay £30,000 for the privilege.

But in the US the diminutive 3-cylinder car has sold quite well, mainly as pilot eco-friendly vehicles for individuals with money and corporate bodies with environmental conscience.

And anyway, as reported here some time ago, the real Honda hybrid for the masses will be a version of the Civic to be rolled out shortly.

Meantime, the company showed a new hybrid sporty concept at Tokyo last week which will keep the appetite whetted. The Dualnote (above).

"We wanted to create a car that lets anyone experience the exhilaration and joy of sporty driving, without demanding sophisticated driving skills," a company spokesman said. "One that delivers all this, while at the same time addressing important environmental concerns. Dualnote is a car born out of a fusion of contradictory values. This concept is manifested throughout the vehicle, from its powerplant, right through to its packaging and design."

The hybrid powerplant combines a 3.5-litre V6 i-VTEC engine with electric motor/generator assist. An additional front-drive motor is added, for a drive package that puts out a walloping 400 horsepower, while at the same time achieving unprecedented fuel economy of 18 km/l (5.6 litres per 100km). It's a mid-engine, rear-drive, car with ultimate performance performance.

Inside, Dualnote has a multi-function display that automatically changes settings and display mode as necessary, to show e-mail, Internet, and telephone information, vehicle information such as driving mode and settings, or the navigation screen. TW