Honda has just released the first official photos of its eagerly-anticipated new dedicated hybrid car that will debut early in 2009. The car that until now had been referred to by Honda officials simply as the "Global Hybrid" will revive the popular Insight name from the company's first hybrid model. Although Honda is officially calling the car that will be shown in Paris next month a concept, these concepts tend to be extremely close to the final production version. Given the similarity to the spy photos we've seen already we shouldn't expect much to change before launch next year. The Insight does bear a strong resemblance to the larger FCX Clarity fuel cell car although as with most hybrids, the current Honda three bar grill design is actually a solid piece for optimized aerodynamics. Honda has already said that it has cut the cost of its IMA hybrid system in half for the Insight and the new Insight's price is expected to start in the neighborhood of $18,500. Honda is expecting about 200,000 world wide sales of the Insight with half of those going to the U.S.
So what do you all think about this? Honestly I'm a bit disappointed. It seems like this car won't be nearly as spectacular as our Insights. They don't even look remotely the same, it's not even a coupe! I know this is more along the lines of what most people want... I'm happy Honda is coming out with another hybrid. Though, I've got to wonder how much different this is going to be from the Civic Hybrid, or why they can't make that cheaper. I just wish they could come up with a new name. If you ask me, this is not an Insight.
Oops, I just realized this should be in the Honda news forum... I never go to any other category besides this one. If one of the mods wants to merge this with the correct posting in the news section that'd be great. Sorry!
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Fuel Shy: '05 Civic Hybrid (CVT) Mom's ride
Fuel Phobic: '00 Insight (manual) daily driver
Fuel Fiend: '88 CRX Si (Y49) project car - future EV Obliterate Waste Now
It looks like a good HEV... It looks like more people will buy it...
I hope they do not use the Insight name....
That would be like Lamborghini ( If they didn't go belly up ) coming out with a $10,000 economy box car and calling it the "Countach".
I think Honda Should reserve the "Insight" Name for future releases of very advanced FE design... The Next Insight should at the very least include PHEV stock... Ideally with a Carbon Fiber or other advanced material frame ... with even better Aerodynamics ... etc...etc...
But , if they do go ahead with the plan and call the new HEV Insight... then Insight Central here will begin to possibly get visits from owners and shoppers who are considering the new Insight and or who are driving it... and Insight Central will need a Face Lift in the data Bases and such to include details on the Insight II as it now does for the Insight....
Still hopping they change their minds and call it something else.
I do like the LED running lamps and headlights if they make it to production... looks like a sharp looking car.
Definitely NOT an Insight, but if using the name will benefit Honda, and that's what it takes for more hybrid models to be successful and accepted by the public at large, then, I guess I can live with it.
I'm old enough to remember the almost-universal moaning, weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth that ensued when the original T-birds went to four seats... and when they went to a four-door model, you'd have thought Lee Iacocca had shot his mother and his children in cold blood on the steps of the Courthouse, after half an hour spent drawing a crowd...
Perhaps Insight Central will change the masthead to Insights Central...
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Driving on down the road in my 2001 CVT, going "Boogety Boogety" ...and until avatars are provided, my car looks just like the original silver Insight on the header, above... =)
Shame on Honda!!!
All I can say is what an insult that Honda 'Prius' copy is to us true Insight enthusiasts and owners, who really know and appreciate the true hybrid value and engineering genious of our 2-seater original Insights. It's insulting to me that Honda decided to use the Insight name for this new concept, cause it seems to take away from the true value and recognition of our originals. I bet it won't even be available in a 5-speed, which makes it less appealing.
I hope it's a flop.
It looks like a bloody Prius.
It's unfortunate that they have now blurred the Insight name. It used to stand for purity in function. Now it means the same thing as "Civic".
How utterly disappointing.
Ditto.
Shame on you, Honda Marketing (expletive deleted)!
JoeS.
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2002 Silver MT, MIMA, FAS, hand throttle, lmpg 77.7
2006 Red MT, lmpg 73.2
1967 Saab96V4 Original Owner
Two Corbin Sparrow EVs
1965 Saab EV Conversion
2012 Mitsubishi iMiEV
Dodge Ram (small) pickup EV
The new vehicle should not be called the Insight as the INSIGHT is "one of a kind".
Maybe it's time to protest to Hond Corp. for their designated name on the "new hybrid".
Letters, E mails, etc.
I don't think that Ford would come out with a model named "A".
Willie
My 3 cents worth.
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01 5 speed. "Little Red Rocket"
The first "TURBOCHARGED" Hybrid, (01/2003)
296,000 mi. @ 58.0 LMPG
2007 Honda Fit, Red Sport AT
1998 Ford F-150, NASCAR "Limited Edition"
(3K made, possibly the prototype one)
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Insight name coming back
