[Jackalope]

2010 Honda Insight – Official Photos and Info - Car News | Car and Driver Blog

Honda was the first automaker to put a hybrid on the road with the original Insight in December 1999 and it wants to reclaim its place at the big kid’s table with the resurrection of the name on an all-new hybrid.

The automaker provides this first official look at the five-door hatch that will be formally unveiled in October at the 2008 Paris auto show. It will technically be a concept, but appears more than production-ready.

The Insight rides on an all-new platform as a bespoke hybrid, as opposed to offering a hybrid version of an existing vehicle as is the case with the current Honda Civic hybrid and the Honda Fit hybrid planned by 2015.

The Insight will be smaller than a Civic and CEO Takeo Fukui says it will be priced significantly below current hybrids. We expect it to start about $19,000, in keeping with the automaker’s goal of pricing it competitively against conventional small vehicles in its segment. “This new Insight will break new ground as an affordable hybrid within the reach of customers who want great fuel economy and great value,” Fukui says in a statement.

Keep Reading: 2010 Honda Insight – Official Photos and Info - Car News

[tweakmonkey]

That thing looks huge! The old Insight was tiny and weighs only 1850 lbs. *cry*

[Chainblade]

ya that looks large and it looks very similar to a Prius...

[Juballharshaw]

Originally Posted by Chainblade

ya that looks large and it looks very similar to a Prius...

Yet $3000 less.

[MSP]

That looks great. I've already told my wife to get ready for a hybrid, full on electric, or CNG car. I'm currently driving the last standard gasoline car that my family will ever own. And given it's a Honda I might have to convert it before it dies!

[Chainblade]

Originally Posted by Juballharshaw

Yet $3000 less.

you got a point there. however, I just find the Prius body style to be extremely ugly. Not sure why Honda would make one that looks like it. Maybe it's just a bad picture though.

[ThatHideousStrength]

I think this is the CRX?

[MSP]

Personally I don't think Honda set out to release a car that looks like the Prius. I think the wind tunnel simulations picked the shape.

[MaesterB]

Hmmm...now that I'm not traveling as much, I think I'm going to buy a gas guzzling SUV. If it's just in city driving, why the heck not.

However, if I were traveling on the road a lot (still) I would probably try the new Insight.

[Torx]

we need smaller cars DAMMIT.

although i do like the design, those wheels gotta go! they look like some aftermarket early 2000 one piece rims..

[Juballharshaw]

Originally Posted by MSP

Personally I don't think Honda set out to release a car that looks like the Prius. I think the wind tunnel simulations picked the shape.

I thought I read an article that said that the Prius wasn't that aerodynamic but rather it's efficiency outside of the electric motor was in improvements in drivetrain loses and what not.

Originally Posted by ThatHideousStrength

I think this is the CRX?

CR-Z is what you're thinking. I'm hoping in a couple years to be able to pickup a second or third model year version of it.

[Torx]

whoa, the crz looks HOT.

although a minor rear collision will pose as a major problem.

[tweakmonkey]

The CRZ Looks like a suitable replacement for my CRY (if they're calling that the new CRX, then I'd say it's fair to call my car the second gen ). I LOVE small cars. I'd probably buy one if it's reasonably priced and nearly as efficient.

CRX:



Insight (pretend the wheel covers aren't there):



I love how a 2-seater / FWD car handles with sport tires. The econobox tires are shit, but with the 1850 lb curb weight and sticky rubber the Insight's so much fun to drive up and down the twisty roads near Mount Hamilton. I was haulin' serious ass last time.

[randomtask]

Why can they not take a 2 door honda integra, and work that shape into something that'd work well as a hybrid.


But then i'd guess they would charge an arm and a leg for it because it would be in a "sports car" range. Thus meaning company fleets wouldn't look to buy it.