Honda has officially unveiled the Honda Insight Concept at the Paris Motor Show. The concept is supposed to give a strong indication of what the production version will look like when it hits showrooms next spring.
Honda has announced that the new hybrid will be powered by a 1.3L engine that will be mated to an electric motor. It's not known how good the gas mileage will be although it is rumored that it will get close to 60 mpg.
The Insight will also feature ultra-light aluminum 18" wheels.
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Honda Insight Returns! Honda Unveils its Newest Hybrid
PRESS RELEASE:
Honda Introduces All-New Insight Dedicated Hybrid Concept Vehicle at Paris Motor Show
PARIS, France, October 2, 2008—Honda Motor Co., Ltd. presented the concept model of its all-new Insight dedicated hybrid vehicle scheduled to be introduced in 2009, at the 2008 Paris Motor Show (October 2–19; Press Days: October 2–3).
Based on a theme of achieving dynamic performance through excellent aerodynamics, the exterior design of the Insight concept model combines excellent environmental performance and a fun to drive spirit. The compact Insight Concept measures 4,375 mm (172.2 in.) in length, 1,695 mm (66.7 in.) in width, and 1,425 mm (56.1 in.) in height, with specially designed, ultra-light aluminum wheels and 205/40 R18 tires. With a cockpit that enables the driver to experience the joy of driving, the interior of the Insight Concept provides an advanced and futuristic feeling that is possible only through a hybrid vehicle.
The all-new Insight, which will be developed based on this Insight Concept, will be a five-door, five-passenger hatchback equipped with Honda’s lightweight and compact hybrid system, with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine serving as the main power source, assisted by an electric motor. While achieving fuel economy on par with the Civic Hybrid, the new Insight will also achieve excellent utility and light and comfortable driving through the adoption of a new platform developed specifically for this vehicle. Honda will begin sales of the all-new Insight in Japan, Europe and North America in spring 2009, and projects annual global sales of 200,000 units.
In his speech at the Paris Motor Show, Honda Motor president & CEO Takeo Fukui said, “This new Insight will give more people the chance to get behind the wheel of a high quality hybrid vehicle only Honda can develop.”
The name Insight was chosen to denote that this new vehicle provides “insight” into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers.
Comments (28)
Wow, does a prius killer have to look a prius?
Posted by Hsiao | October 2, 2008 9:53 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 09:53
Wow, does a Prius killer have to look like a prius?
Posted by Hsiao | October 2, 2008 9:55 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 09:55
I think GM's chevy volt looks a lot better ... I am surprised toyota hasn't sued honda for copying the prius
Posted by Stig | October 2, 2008 10:14 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 10:14
I love how people complain that the Insight is biting off of the Prius...last i checked the insight came out first. Though it looked like trash, it was still first...
Posted by gilly | October 2, 2008 10:17 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 10:17
18 inch rims seems practical for hybrids, since the electric motor will have lots of torque although little less mpg on highways.
with that 18, it will look good and will handle better than a civic.
Posted by adrian | October 2, 2008 10:22 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 10:22
I love how people complain that the Insight is biting off of the Prius...last i checked the insight came out first. Though it looked like trash, it was still first (with this shape)... 01' Prius vs 00' Insight
If you are going to whine, at least let it it be about accurate info...
Posted by gilly | October 2, 2008 10:23 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 10:23
> I'm a big Honda/Acura fan...and I think this design is atrocious.
Posted by Dan | October 2, 2008 10:44 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 10:44
Agreed with all 'Prius w/ Honda badge' comments. Why do all hybrids have to look absolutely rediculous and shaped like a snail?
Options: Prius-like designs for 20~ grand...or the Tesla for 100k...good call.
Posted by rubix_1011 | October 2, 2008 10:49 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 10:49
I own a 2008 Civic couple SE and I think the Civic still looks better (and I am not being biased here lol). I do not like the Prius or the attitude it tries to present. This Honda looks better than the Prius however.
Of all the hybrids, the Volt is still on top in my opinion, and represents the best technology; especially the zero emissions for most of my commute driving requirements. I may get serious about the Volt after a few good years with the Civic. I read where Prius owners are paying +$7500 to have their car electrical range beefed up (why bother, buy a Volt instead!). Seems silly since you will never recoup that expense and changing batteries every 5 years is even more expensive! Guess they are trying to keep their attitude facing the Volt's true performance they envy.
My neighbor has a Prius, almost ran over her child backing up because it made no engine noise and blind spots from the high rear end. I hope this doesn't cause all Hybrids to require a reverse 'beeper' to be installed! Also, I am hearing the visually handicapped pedestrians are having issues with noiseless hybrids too. Always a trade off Eh?
Posted by sparky | October 2, 2008 11:35 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 11:35
its not copying anything kids, that ass end on these types of cars is designed to have less drag. less drag = less energy used.
Posted by macer1 | October 2, 2008 11:42 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 11:42
It does look like the Prius (and both are resembled by the Volt.) However, I think I like this the best of the three. It's bumper is too busy, but it's still a concept, and that area will probably get reworked to save manufacturing costs anyway.
Still, from a technical standpoint, I prefer the Volts approach (an EV with an IC range extending and charging system.) But at this point, both the Volt and this Honda Insight are vaporware. Pruis remains the only major game in town.
Posted by kw | October 2, 2008 11:50 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 11:50
Looking like a Prius isn't that bad, now if dealers try to sell it for as much as a Prius, YUK!
Posted by Tim | October 2, 2008 12:09 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 12:09
They should have just named it the Prius so folks would be confused and think it's actually a different car. ;-)
Posted by Dave K | October 2, 2008 12:39 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 12:39
They should have just named it the Prius so folks wouldn't be confused and think it's actually a different car. ;-)
Posted by Dave K | October 2, 2008 12:39 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 12:39
@gilly
The first gen prius we never saw in this country, was sold only in japan for the most part, and was a sedan based car. That was from 1997 to 2000 so it was not this shape.
Generation 1.5 was similar to first gen with minor mechanical changes and was sold outside of japan, this was for model years 2001-2003.
2004 was actually the first year of the liftback styled car. Before then the prius did not have this type of shape.
The insight was released in 1999 in the US. Its design was a subcompact hatchback which is not considered the same as a liftback. It does not look even remotely similar because of this.
Having said all of that, to build a 4/5 passenger car that has the lowest coeficient of drag possible, yet still remains close to what a car is supposed to look like, you basically end up with the shape of a prius. If you want to compete with the prius you have to get similar mpg, so you're forced to look similar to it. Of course the other option is they could put a boat tail on the end, similar to what the aptera has done, but that violates the second part, of looking like what a car is supposed to look like.
I'm surprised someone hasn't said how much they hate the dash and interior yet.
Posted by mf | October 2, 2008 1:13 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 13:13
This looks like a Prius as much as any modern sedan looks like any other modern sedan. The same can be said about SUV's, trucks and what have you.
Between the affordable true hybrids, this looks better than the others. But then a hybrid is not about looks.
If you want a good looking car, get an Aston Martin, a Seat Leon or an Alpha and start complaining about fuel cost or parts falling off. Complainers will always find something to complain about.
Posted by Mr Future | October 2, 2008 3:02 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 15:02
pfff.... what difference does it make. they are both hideous compared to the volt. GM has this generation of alternative vehicles in the bag for now.
Posted by :| | October 2, 2008 9:12 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 21:12
Hmmmm.....no....I still can't get over the fact that they make cars with 18 inch diameter wheels shod with 205 series tires. WTF!!!!
Posted by Vtfo0lio | October 2, 2008 10:01 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 22:01
I can't believe what I am reading:
"Wow, does a Prius killer have to look like a prius?" and "I'm a big Honda/Acura fan...and I think this design is atrocious."
It's not about looks guys. No wonder GM and Ford and Chrisler are near death. They are being managed by people who think like you.
This car is going to be a huge success.
The Toyota Corolla, for example, is a plain looking car. I'll bet you didn't know it's also the best selling car ever!
I think the American car companies need new blood and need to stop living in the past.
Posted by mike | October 2, 2008 10:15 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 22:15
This is an absolutely stunning car.
And since Toyo has warmed-up the tastes (always a necessity in woodgrain backward USof A) it will do very very well!
Just hope the Moronda US managers dont convince Japan of putting the chrome Accord grill there.
Posted by lowest iq | October 2, 2008 11:40 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 23:40
a straight copy of the toyota, especially the circular black things at the bottom.
Posted by George W | October 2, 2008 11:49 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 23:49
I dont understand the excitement over a future new 60 mpg Honda. Volkswagen NOW sells now already a model that exceeds 60mpg.
And that car is far more reliable.
Posted by Noya | October 2, 2008 11:53 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 23:53
Why not offer a car with just the 1.3 L engine without all the electric motor linkage and battery packs. It will get the same or even better (due to reduced weight) highway MPG and cost $$$$ less.
Why can't we get a Fit, Yaris, Civic or anything with a 1 - 1.3 L engine?
Posted by nemi | October 3, 2008 7:46 AM
Posted on October 3, 2008 07:46
@Noya
VW far more reliable than a honda certainly not the cars sold in north america. VW also has not been rated at 60mpg in epa testing, even with the independant 3rd party doing the testing.
@nemi
It would get better mileage if driven right, because not only does it have less weight, it also doesn't require battery pack regeneration. The problem is most people in this country aren't patient enough for 20 second 0-60.
Posted by mf | October 3, 2008 10:42 AM
Posted on October 3, 2008 10:42
Actually this design follows numerous similarities to the original insight design, as well as the CRX. only with 4 doors. I agree it is Prius like, but I see nothing that would provoke a lawsuit. America need to step it up and the volt isn't going to be enough, especially at its price range. Well done Honda.
Posted by SS | October 3, 2008 11:01 AM
Posted on October 3, 2008 11:01
I wouldn't compare any hybrid design to a crx.
That piece of design work could have been by a kindergartener... a wedge, or a doorstop. That's hardly groundbreaking or frankly that aerodynamic...
In my opinion, the crx was/is/and will always be a piece.
Much like ricers take the low end DX put a K20 into and go, "Oh but my Honda is so fast.."
I could take less money and put into a VW bug and have it beat your Honda. Just cause the VW probably has 500lbs on a Civic...
Posted by Brian | October 4, 2008 7:30 PM
Posted on October 4, 2008 19:30
@brian
And yet this "piece" with a d15b2 in it, averages higher mpg on the highway than the toyota prius. Then they shaved the wedge that was done by a "kindergartener" added some wheel skirts and got 59mpg on the highway.
As for the vw bug, which version? The early 60s only had 200 lbs on the crx dx, only 100lbs on a hf. If you use the current beetle, the dx has a 900lb advantage on it.
What don't you get your crap straight before talking about things you don't know about.
You probably saw 1 episode on pinks, and then assumed that you saw the fastest and best crx ever.
Posted by mf | October 5, 2008 9:05 PM
Posted on October 5, 2008 21:05
I hope they can tone down the electric blue dash some,gives me headaches. regarding the Volt,why not replace the ICE with a high efficiency honda home generator? More power,less maintenance and fuel use.
Posted by Patrick | October 7, 2008 5:30 PM
Posted on October 7, 2008 17:30