Honda to launch three sports cars, Legend and Jazz SUV
by 2015
The boss of
Honda has confirmed a new Civic
Type-R hot-hatch, a Jazz-based baby SUV, a new Legend
flagship sedan and a successor to the S2000
convertible sports car will all go in production within the next three
years.
Honda
CEO Takanobu Ito made the exciting revelations during his mid-year
speech, in which he outlined the Japanese company’s plans and ambitions
for much of the next decade.
Headlining the presentation was confirmation of the return of the Honda Civic Type-R, which Ito
said is being developed with the goal of becoming the fastest
front-wheel drive vehicle around the Nurburgring. Honda plans to launch
the fourth-generation Civic Type-R by 2015.
Starting the showroom revolution will be an all-new Honda Jazz city
car, which will be reach international markets in 2013.
Within two years of its launch, Honda will introduce a new
light-sized City sedan and a sub-compact SUV based on the same
platform, with the latter sitting below the CR-V
in the line-up to take on the likes of the upcoming Ford EcoSport and Holden Trax.
Honda says each model built off its new Jazz platform will feature
its own unique design and characteristics.
The next-generation Honda Legend will launch in Japan in 2014
featuring an innovative three-motor hybrid system dubbed Sport Hybrid
SH-AWD (super handling all-wheel drive). The new propulsion system,
which will also underpin the long-awaited second-generation Honda NSX and the new Acura RLX sports sedan for
North America, promises to deliver high levels of handling performance
and fuel economy.
Adding to Honda’s growing list of upcoming sports cars is a spiritual
successor to the S2000, which the manufacturer says will hit the market
by 2014. Honda describes the new model as an “open-top sports car with
strong vehicle dynamics”, potentially drawing inspiration from last
year’s EV-STER concept (below), targeting the likes of the
Mazda
MX-5 and Mini Cooper.
The new compact convertible will be one of six new “mini-vehicle”
models introduced by Honda in Japan before the end of 2015, the first of
which, the Honda N-One, goes on sale in November.
Honda also plans to diversify its range in developing markets –
particularly Thailand, Indonesia, India and Malaysia – with a sedan and a
“utility-type” model built on the platform of the sub-light
Brio hatch.
Seven years after it introduced the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity to
the market, Honda will launch an all-new fuel cell electric vehicle
across Japan, Europe and the US from 2015. Honda says the vehicle will
showcase “further technological advancement and significant cost
reduction” compared with the first-generation FCX Clarity.
The brand is also working hard on future single-motor electric and
dual-motor plug-in hybrid vehicles, similar to 2011′s AC-X concept (above), as it strives to achieve the
highest average fuel economy of any hybrid manufacturer.
Under the broad product expansion plans, Honda is aiming to grow its
sales in mature markets (namely Japan, Europe and the US) from 2.06
million last financial year to more than three million units in the
financial year ending March 31, 2017.
It also plans to double its sales in emerging markets to more than
three million by the same time to take its global automotive sales to in
excess of six million.
