Honda will unveil a new compact five-door hybrid hatchback priced from under $20,000 this October at the Paris Auto Show. The car has yet to be named, but it is known inside the company as the New Dedicated Hybrid Vehicle, or simply the "small hybrid."

The small hybrid is one of four new gas-electric models that Honda plans to roll out over the next four years, as part of a broad global strategy to boost hybrid sales to 500,000 units by 2012 — about 10 percent of its total sales volume.

Honda will also unveil a production version of the sporty CR-Z hybrid coupe that debuted as a concept at last year's Tokyo show and is now due to arrive in early 2010; a replacement for the current Civic Hybrid, in late 2010; and a new hybrid edition of the subcompact Fit in 2012.

The future Honda hybrid will be powered by smaller, lighter version of the 1.3-liter IMA system that is fitted to the Civic Hybrid, along with a continuously variable transmission. It will be a five-passenger car with same dimensions as the Toyota Prius and styling cues said to be inspired by Honda's new FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle.

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