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Following the debut of a number of hybrids in Tokyo, Honda has confirmed two for production already, whilst stressing the global importance of new eco-friendly vehicles and that they don't always have to look like a Toyota Prius.

John Kingston, Environment Manager at Honda UK explains: "Hybrids have always been seen as niche products, and hybrid car design has mostly been based around practicality and versatility. The CR-Z concept looks stunning, and shows that green cars can be sexy and exciting - but also minimise environmental impact."

Most interestingly, Honda has announced that the CR-Z concept will make production. The lightweight two-seater coupé could be based on the Civic's platform and will offer a hybrid powertrain that could take much of its form from the V-TEC IMA unit seen in the original concept. The CR-Z was designed with driver satisfaction in mind - a point which most will anxiously hope to see kept during the transition into full production form - scheduled for 2009. Could the CR-Z become Honda's first Type-R hybrid? We wonder...

With Honda expecting to sell a quarter of a million hybrids worldwide by 2009, it's understandable that it wanted to capitalise on the growth with a more mainstream vehicle too. And so, the Japanese manufacturer has also confirmed the production of the large and attractively swooping FCX concept, which will feature a hydrogen fuel cell to achieve low emission levels. If retained on the final car, its highly aerodynamic profile would surely provide low-drag coefficient figures helping to boost economy further. We won't have to wait long to see the road-going version, as it's set to make its debut in Los Angeles next month, whilst going on sale in the US and Japan in 2008.

Kyle Molyneux - 30 Oct 2007