2010 Honda Insight Hybrid

BigAl3 · 09-10-08, 07:26

what does everyone think? kinda reminds me of the prius...

Honda Insight Concept Hybrid Vehicle to Debut at Paris International Auto Show
Concept to show styling direction of new more affordable hybrid vehicle

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 4, 2008 – Honda will reveal a concept version of its new small hybrid vehicle, to be named Insight, at the 2008 Paris International Auto Show, Oct. 2, the company announced today. The new Insight Concept, shares styling cues with Honda’s FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, and will provide an early look at the highly anticipated 5-passenger hybrid vehicle.

Going on sale in the U.S. next spring, the all-new purpose built Insight will come to market at a price significantly below hybrids available today. From this unique position in the marketplace, the Insight will advance the affordability and accessibility of hybrid technology to a new generation of buyers.

“The original Honda Insight pioneered hybrid technology in the U.S. and remains a symbol of Honda’s commitment to innovative technology and fuel efficiency,” said Takeo Fukui, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO. “This new Insight will break new ground as an affordable hybrid within the reach of customers who want great fuel economy and great value.”

The Insight Concept defines a new stage in the evolution of hybrid technology, utilizing a more cost-efficient version of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) hybrid technology, resulting in a new level of affordability for hybrid customers worldwide. Evoking the innovative styling cues first seen in the FCX Clarity, the Insight Concept is designed with a low center of gravity and a generous five-passenger cabin, offering the kind of driving pleasure and roomy interior that customers have come to expect from Honda. While the Insight Concept’s aerodynamic design clearly identifies its fuel efficient purpose, its five-door access and folding rear seats speak to functionality that is designed to meet the needs of customers with an active lifestyle. The Insight Concept is a small, fuel efficient hybrid car that delivers big style and functionality with a healthy dose of fun.

Honda achieved a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components which should make Insight the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. The production Insight will be offered as a five-door, five-passenger hatchback. Numerous technologies, including a function to assist customers in achieving more fuel efficient driving habits, will be applied to achieve a further improvement in real world fuel efficiency. With its affordable price, the new hybrid vehicle will represent the best value in its segment. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at Honda’s Suzuka factory in Japan.

The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year – approximately 100,000 in North America. Following the launch of the new Insight, Honda also plans to introduce another unique sporty hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z Concept, first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. All together, Honda’s global sales of hybrids should increase to approximately 500,000 units a year, or more than 10 percent of its total worldwide annual automobile sales.

The original Honda Insight was introduced in December 1999, as America’s first gas-electric hybrid car. The first vehicle to break the 70-mpg fuel economy barrier, Insight was designed from the ground up to demonstrate the ultimate potential for fuel-economy in a 2-seater subcompact automobile.

A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced the first low-emission gasoline vehicles; America’s first gas-electric hybrid car and the world’s first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. In 2007, Honda was named “greenest automaker” by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.

For more information and downloadable high-resolution images of the Insight Concept and other Honda vehicles, including the Civic Hybrid, please visit Honda Media Newsroom. Consumer information is available at Honda Cars Motorcycles Watercraft ATVs Engines Generators, Acura.

budman3 · 09-10-08, 07:28

Yep, definitely has some Prius characteristics... I've never been a fan of the Insight's appearance, and can't say that opinion has changed yet ...

PrideSS · 09-10-08, 08:40

I like it.

Its gonna be a big hit.

nrengle · 09-10-08, 09:11

It reminds me of the EP3 Civic SI body style. I have a EP3, and that was the first thing that popped in my head.

BigAl3 · 09-10-08, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrideSS

I like it.

from the looks of it so far (would like to see the rear), i agree. the only thing i don't like is the fugly wheels...

PrideSS · 09-10-08, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl3

from the looks of it so far (would like to see the rear), i agree. the only thing i don't like is the fugly wheels...

I have a feeling that the back end is going to be a little awkward.

I don't like the wheels either, I doubt they would make it into production, they look pricey to make. I hope they leave the LED fog lights in.

Gears · 09-10-08, 02:08

[quote=BigAl3;1172878]what does everyone think? kinda reminds me of the prius...

What do you mean " kinda"

this looks like a Prius body with Honda styling cues

notsoslimshady · 09-20-08, 08:20

Ugh stop with the hatchbacks....so ugly in my opinion

Setec Astronomy · 09-20-08, 08:24

I think it's great. Of course, Honda already makes a lot of efficient vehicles. What we need is hybrid powertrains in more of the large, heavy vehicles.

Holden_C04 · 09-20-08, 08:37

I think hybrid technology is a waste of time, to be honest. They're not terribly efficient and they're incredibly complicated and, overall, do more damage to the environment than the average Land Rover. What's the point?

Time to spend resources on technologies that matter like hydrogen, cold fusion, and any fuel that is renewable and environmentally friendly.

BigAl3 · 09-20-08, 08:44

Setec Astronomy · 09-20-08, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holden_C04

Time to spend resources on technologies that matter like hydrogen, cold fusion, and any fuel that is renewable and environmentally friendly.

I guess if we had cold fusion (or even just a lot of fission) we could have a hydrogen economy. You do realize that most hydrogen comes from fossil fuel right now? It's just too expensive to do hydrolysis because electricity is too expensive. I'm not sure we're going to perfect cold fusion before our sun goes nova in 4 or 5 billion years.