The 2004 Nomad is all about what could’ve been.

GM was going retro, hyping the HHR as part of a fresh and stylish direction.  The Nomad was meant to cover the sport compact scene.  GM was well-aware of the popularity of the Mini Cooper, and the Nomad had all the potential to be a great rival.  Pininfarina assembled the final product, which evoked the 1950s Corvette-esque original.  The Nomad could seat four, had more cargo room than the Coop, and used a turbo 2.2 L Ecotec I-4 to deliver 250 hp.

This seemed to offer so much.  It looked great, and had power to boot.  The downside?  GM’s then-notorious rep for ruining good concepts.  Odds are the Nomad would’ve had third-rate plastics all over, stiff seats, a sluggish 4-spd., and an underpowered engine choking out 140.  On top of that, it probably would’ve been overpriced.

There could’ve been shot at success: look at what pitiful Dodge pulled with the Neon SRT4.  Maybe then the Nomad could have worked out.  Then again, Detroiters still say hatchbacks don’t sell.  (We think Fit, Impreza, Mazda3, and PT owners would care to argue.)

Honda will be continuing its hybrid path with full steam, despite the poor reception to its Insight sedan.  The CR-Z, a sport hatch designed in the spirit of the old CRX, will be the attention-grabber.  The CR-Z will utilize lightweight materials, a streamlined form, and possibly a reworked version of the Inisght powertrain to create the greenest sport compact in the market.  Honda will also be producing a gas-electric version of its Fit subcompact, said to be targeting a $19,000 starting price range.  Both are reportedly scheduled for the 2011 model year and may premiere in the upcoming LA auto show. honda civic

Here’s a new promo video for the British-spec Mugen Civic Type R.  Mugen, Honda’s “official” tuner, has revamped the Japanese sport hatch.  The new tuner work comes with a new front spoiler, a giant rear wing, a busty exhaust, Mugen exclusive eighteen-inchers, hood vents, and a souped-up four-banger pushing up to 237 hp.

We may not get this, but we still have the Insight…