Honda's secret Los Angeles motor show concept is this: the Fit EV concept.
The firm wasn't letting much on in the build up to the LA about what it intended to show, but it has now been revealed to be an all-electric version of its popular Fit/Jazz supermini. The concept will make it into production in the US and Japan in 2012.
See the official pic of the Honda Fit EV - now updated with LA show pics
A lithium-ion battery pack powers a coaxial electric motor to give the Fit EV a range of up to 100-miles. The car also has three distinct driving modes: eco, normal and sport. These alter the car's responses to either boost efficiency or acceleration. In eco mode, the range can be boosted by up to 25 per cent over when it is in sport mode. In sport mode, Honda claims its performance is similar to that of a car with a 2.0-litre petrol engine.
Honda has also used the LA show to reveal its new plug-in hybrid platform, technology expected to underpin a rival to the Toyota Prius plug-in that has been confirmed for a 2012 launch.
The two-motor hybrid system features a power 120kW electric motor powered by a 6kWh battery pack. This provides an electric only range of 10-15 miles at speeds up to 62mph; a full recharge of the battery pack takes up to two and a half hours.
The electric propulsion system works alongside a 2.0-litre petrol engine mated to a CVT transmission. The hybrid system constantly changes between all-electric, petrol-electric and "unique" engine direct-drive modes to maximise efficiency.
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