Honda: Insight News
01-13-2009, 02:12 PM
#161
The sizzle in the Steak
So Honda decides to build a Hybrid...but in name only....it barely does the things a consumer believes a hybrid should do.
How is this a good thing?
Puff-puff-give-give Honda
How is this a good thing?
Puff-puff-give-give Honda
01-13-2009, 02:15 PM
#162
Senior Moderator
But that won't help when people see '50' on the window sticker of a Prius.
01-13-2009, 02:16 PM
#163
"The main concept of this vehicle is 'Next Era Transportation' which is based on four key pillars: Clean and Green, Usable, Fun and Affordable. The highest priority during development was balancing of all four of these key pillars at a high level -- not get one and lose the others," he says.
01-13-2009, 02:17 PM
#164
The sizzle in the Steak
01-13-2009, 02:34 PM
#165
Senior Moderator
I think Honda's reasoning behind it is good. The problem is that it might not come off the same way to the consumer when they see the number 50 on the Prius sticker. The general market doesn't read internet forums like we do, so they are less likely to know the 'real' behind the scenes info, i.e. people truly getting 60+ mpg with this car. It may come back to bite them, but it also might not. If more people read Consumer Reports, Edmunds and some other mags/web sites that have these stories of true mpg, they might learn this information.
Bottom line is that for some people, mpg is everything. Not much else matters, including driving characteristics. But to others, a balanced car that also gets good mpg means much more. If the word gets out that the Insight gets better mpg than the window sticker says, then it might work out well.
Bottom line is that for some people, mpg is everything. Not much else matters, including driving characteristics. But to others, a balanced car that also gets good mpg means much more. If the word gets out that the Insight gets better mpg than the window sticker says, then it might work out well.
01-13-2009, 02:38 PM
#166
The sizzle in the Steak
I think Honda's reasoning behind it is good. The problem is that it might not come off the same way to the consumer when they see the number 50 on the Prius sticker. The general market doesn't read internet forums like we do, so they are less likely to know the 'real' behind the scenes info, i.e. people truly getting 60+ mpg with this car. It may come back to bite them, but it also might not. If more people read Consumer Reports, Edmunds and some other mags/web sites that have these stories of true mpg, they might learn this information.
Bottom line is that for some people, mpg is everything. Not much else matters, including driving characteristics. But to others, a balanced car that also gets good mpg means much more. If the word gets out that the Insight gets better mpg than the window sticker says, then it might work out well.
Bottom line is that for some people, mpg is everything. Not much else matters, including driving characteristics. But to others, a balanced car that also gets good mpg means much more. If the word gets out that the Insight gets better mpg than the window sticker says, then it might work out well.
Honda has their reasons (which may be valid)....the consumer has their reasons for getting a Hybrid.
In the end it's giving the consumer what they want....not what they mfg. wants to produce.
For the masses Hybrids = great MPG. Nothing more.
While that may not be true...it's what the consumer believes.
This is why the Accord Hybrid failed.
01-13-2009, 03:31 PM
#167
Senior Moderator
...but selling cars IS all about the consumer.
Honda has their reasons (which may be valid)....the consumer has their reasons for getting a Hybrid.
In the end it's giving the consumer what they want....not what they mfg. wants to produce.
For the masses Hybrids = great MPG. Nothing more.
While that may not be true...it's what the consumer believes.
This is why the Accord Hybrid failed.
Honda has their reasons (which may be valid)....the consumer has their reasons for getting a Hybrid.
In the end it's giving the consumer what they want....not what they mfg. wants to produce.
For the masses Hybrids = great MPG. Nothing more.
While that may not be true...it's what the consumer believes.
This is why the Accord Hybrid failed.
01-13-2009, 04:25 PM
#168
Racer
Maybe as there are more and more options for hybrids, people will start to look for the same things they look for in normal cars (i.e. looks, fun, performance, etc...). Not everyone that wants a hybrid is willing to drive something like a Prius, which is also why we see Honda coming with cars like the CR-Z.
01-13-2009, 04:51 PM
#169
The sizzle in the Steak
Maybe as there are more and more options for hybrids, people will start to look for the same things they look for in normal cars (i.e. looks, fun, performance, etc...). Not everyone that wants a hybrid is willing to drive something like a Prius, which is also why we see Honda coming with cars like the CR-Z.
We are talking about the general public and their perceived image of what a Hybrid is.
01-14-2009, 12:57 PM
#170
Pro
Insight will be a tough sell to the hardcore green buyers based on EPA number alone; Honda's only hope is that the cheaper price, plus maybe the real world mpg from word of mouth can get the green buyers to consider the model.
Traditional Honda buyers will probably take a took and decide to go for the Insight rather than a Civic.
Honda Fit still appears to be a nicer alternative.
Traditional Honda buyers will probably take a took and decide to go for the Insight rather than a Civic.
Honda Fit still appears to be a nicer alternative.
01-14-2009, 03:40 PM
#171
Senior Moderator
From C&D
From Edmunds
Would have been nice to trump the Prius. Oh well.
I guess this means the Insight will be about 6 or 7 MPG behind the '10 Prius.
We’re also waiting for the official EPA fuel-economy ratings. Meantime, Honda projects 40 mpg city and 43 highway—no match for the Prius at 48 and 45, respectively. Your mileage may vary, of course, but our 128-mile test trip over suburban and rural blacktops netted an encouraging 46 mpg. (A footnote: Arizona’s temperate December climate means air conditioning was not used, nor were there engine starts at seriously cold temperatures.)
"EPA fuel economy figures have not been released, but Honda says they'll come in at 40 mpg city, 43 mpg highway and 41 mpg combined. Yes, the 2009 Prius is rated higher at 46 mpg combined. But the non-linear nature of the mpg unit means a 5-mpg difference in this rarified region is less meaningful. In a 15,000-mile driving year, it amounts to 40 gallons — $80 at current fuel prices. We ran our Insight EX against a 2009 Prius in a 197-mile suburban fuel economy loop near Phoenix, and the Insight returned 51.5 mpg to the Prius' 54.4 mpg. Not too shabby."
I guess this means the Insight will be about 6 or 7 MPG behind the '10 Prius.
02-08-2009, 08:43 PM
#172
Safety Car
Comparo
1st Place: Honda Insight
A smartly executed package that belies its bargain bsmt pricing, this is the very definition of value
The Differences Are More Than Skin DeepA smartly executed package that belies its bargain bsmt pricing, this is the very definition of value
By Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor Email | Blog
Date posted: 01-18-2009
Psychologists have said that consumers have a three-week memory of fuel prices. If prices stay constant for more than three weeks, the buying public's decision-making ability becomes myopic and they act as though prices have never been different from what they are in the here and now.
And at this very moment, fuel prices have been below two bucks a gallon for about six weeks. Fuel is so cheap that we're considering igniting 55-gallon drums of the stuff in our front yards just for kicks.
Now, we don't know the hippocampus from a hippopotamus, but our instincts remind us that good times don't last forever. An increase in fuel prices in the near future is practically inevitable, and those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.
That's where the all-new 2010 Honda Insight and 2009 Toyota Prius fit in. By shopping for fuel misers like these while gasoline is still cheaper than designer-bottled sugar water, savvy shoppers will dodge long dealership queues in the future and avoid forking out a premium for such cars — like they did in the summer of 2008.
Follow the Follower
You might remember the original Honda Insight. When introduced in 1999, it was the first hybrid vehicle sold in the U.S.A., an affordable technical tour de force that achieved spectacular fuel economy by adding a battery-assisted electric motor to the powertrain. But as a diminutive two-seater, it certainly wasn't a car for the masses.
It took Toyota's introduction of the Prius to stamp the word "hybrid" into the public consciousness and swell the ranks of hypermiling wonks. Boasting an extra pair of doors and a rear seat compared to the early Insight, the Prius was a real car suitable for families. That it looked the part of a hybrid sealed the deal among the socially conscious, and Toyota has ridden this wave of success to new heights, selling 181,221 examples of the Prius in 2007 alone.
In response, Honda has retooled the Insight formula for 2010 into a four-door package that paints a target dead smack on the Prius' nerdy forehead. The Insight's sheet metal is said to be shaped by the wind tunnel, but the general proportions and detailing are far too Prius-like to be coincidental. Honda's intentions with the Insight appear obvious — scale the heights of hybrid sales success by following in the Prius' footsteps.
The Cars
Often found clogging up the passing lanes of freeways all over the country, the Prius is now a common sight on public roads. The 2009 Toyota Prius we tested will blend right in, as it is largely unchanged from earlier models, right down to its 110-horsepower powertrain with its 1.5-liter engine and sophisticated hybrid system comprised of two electric motors and planetary gearsets. (A revised Prius is on the horizon for 2010, but it remains under wraps.)
Our Prius boasted its fuel economy of 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway on its price sticker and it was equipped with the $3,280 Package #5 option, including a navigation system, premium audio, satellite radio capability, Bluetooth, a back-up camera, stability control, cruise control and a few other items. This car is well-equipped but not the most fully loaded Prius variant available and checks in at $27,643.
The all-new 2010 Honda Insight merges an updated version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system with a 1.3-liter, eight-valve inline-4, and the powertrain produces a combined output of 98 hp and 123 pound-feet of torque. The IMA system slots a 13-hp electric motor between the engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) and it is juiced by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack behind the rear seats. Lithium-ion batteries would have cut the space requirement in half, chief engineer Yasunari Seki says, but were quickly rejected on the basis of cost.
And cost is the Insight's trump card. Honda's hybrid system is more basic than the Prius' NASA-grade hardware, yet its more affordable cost is the key to delivering the Insight's dirt-cheap sticker price. At least, we think it's dirt cheap. Pricing hasn't been formally announced, so we're going on whispers and hints from the Honda brass. But you can count on the Insight's official EPA fuel-economy rating of 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway, plus the fact that the car will be formally released on Earth Day, April 22, 2009.
Our scrutiny of Honda's marketing data makes us pretty confident that the model we drove — a fully optioned Insight EX with navigation — will sticker for very close to $22,170 with destination. If we're wrong, then we only request that you wait at least three weeks before composing your hate mail.
Static Electricity
When you climb inside a Prius, you're confronted with a decidedly unorthodox dashboard layout. There are no conventional gauges; instead the speed readout and general operational information peek out from a narrow slot at the base of the windshield. The climate control, audio and navigation controls are all embedded in a single, centrally located multifunction screen. Even the "gear" selector sprouts from the dash immediately to the right of the steering wheel. The Prius is a hybrid, dammit, and it won't let you forget that fact.
The Insight, however, trades a little zoominess for much improved function. There's a real gauge cluster in front of the driver and non-virtual heating and ventilation controls that fall immediately to hand. The Insight's cabin also places you in a driving position that's more natural than that of the Prius, and this is further enhanced by the Honda's telescoping steering wheel and height-adjustable seat.
These two latter features aren't available in the Prius, yet it desperately needs both of them. The Toyota's driving position seems scaled to Japanese bodies, not corn-fed American ones, so you can never place the tilt-only steering wheel in quite the right place. Simply put, you sit on the Prius and in the Insight.
If you think this means the Insight has the superior cabin, you'd only be half right. Full-size humans can find space and comfort in the backseat of the Prius, whereas in the Insight they will find only cramps. Your knees have to splay to accommodate the front seatback, while the tumblehome of the Insight's roof eats up precious headroom. You could say that swelled heads fit better in the back of the Prius.
Behind the backseats, it's pretty much a draw in cargo capacity, although Honda claims a bit more volume by the numbers than the Prius. It can also claim more volume of the acoustic variety, as the Honda is noticeably noisier than the Prius, and it doesn't come close to isolating its occupants from road roar and wind hiss in the way that the Toyota does.
Hedonists take note: The Prius boasts a back-up camera, HID headlights and keyless ignition, and you can't find these goodies on any Insight.
Nothing's Shocking
Economy with speed is as common as gravy-flavored ice cream, and these cars proved no exception once we placed our testing equipment on them. The Prius' 110-hp combined output propels it from a standstill to 60 mph in 10.4 seconds (10.1 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip), followed by the Insight in 10.9 seconds (10.5 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip). Off the line, however, neither of these hybrids feels as glacial as these numbers suggest thanks to the boost in low-end torque provided by the electric motors.
It's not just in acceleration that the Prius pips the Insight. The Prius also brakes shorter, coming to a halt from 60 mph in 120 feet, 5 feet fewer than the Insight. It also produces a quicker slalom speed, 61.8 mph compared to the Insight's 59.3 mph. Despite the numbers, the Prius' brake pedal feels like a lumpy mattress underfoot as the transition from regenerative braking to pure mechanical braking is clumsy, while the electric-assist steering responds with all the enthusiasm of warm tapioca.
Ride quality is an area where the Prius gets the nod, as it glides over pavement compared to the choppy springiness of the Honda. The flip side of the Honda's firmer suspenders comes in routine handling maneuvers, where it is more alert than the Prius. Likewise, the Insight's quicker and more naturally weighted steering imparts lots of confidence even in everyday driving. This transparency in the feel of the controls paired with the more user-friendly driving position help give the Insight a thin edge in our scoring evaluation.
Fuelish Behavior
The numbers most relevant to these dromedaries relate, of course, to their frugality with fuel. To that end our two drivers hashed out a driving loop of nearly 100 miles, consisting of a mix of city and freeway driving conditions. They topped off the fuel tank of each car at the same fuel pump and drove the loop. Then they switched cars and drove the loop again. They then refilled them at the same fuel pump and recorded the dosage.
To make a long, boring story short, the Prius netted 54.4 mpg to the Insight's 51.5 mpg during our driving loops. These results are considerably better than the EPA estimates for each car since our driving style was conservative to minimize variables in performance and to ensure the cars remained nose-to-tail for the entire drive. Hard-core hypermiling wonks will undoubtedly top even these results.
Perhaps the most loudly voiced objection from both drivers is that the Insight's cruise control consistently undershot the target speed when in Eco-Assist mode. Like a nun armed with a switch, this mode modifies the Insight's behavior to favor fuel-efficiency over drivability and comfort. The Prius, which needs no such supplemental mode to achieve its stellar fuel economy, exhibited no such untoward tendencies.
When Being Green Reduces Your Green
Some of us will make a choice between these two cars based solely on superior fuel economy. But if you're really interested only in the contents of your wallet, some careful assessment of the cost/benefit equation will be illuminating.
It turns out the additional $5,473 required for the privilege of owning a Prius instead of an Insight can buy a lot of fuel. At today's fuel prices, the actual monetary savings earned by the Prius' edge in fuel economy is miniscule, working out to a paltry $70 per year. Paying off the Prius' extra tariff in sticker price with the savings in fuel purchases would require more than 75 years.
Even if fuel prices were to leap to $5 per gallon, a Prius owner would have to drive his car for nearly 413,000 miles just to break even. These calculations use the EPA combined fuel economy numbers — plug in the higher fuel-economy results we measured and the payoff period is measured in lifetimes.
This simple math exercise demonstrates how deceptive a 5-mpg difference can be. Among fuel-sippers like these, this is one occasion where it doesn't pay to be green. It turns out that the 2010 Honda Insight's emphasis on affordability as well as fuel economy puts more dollars in your pocket than the 2009 Toyota Prius.
There's a certain irony in the Insight's victory. In its desire to create a car that wears its hybrid-ness on its sleeve, Honda examined its rival to such a degree that the Insight and the Prius are nearly indistinguishable at a glance. Yet Honda's final product is no Prius clone, and its lack of hybrid-style compromises in the way it drives works to its advantage in this comparison.
Consider the Prius outsmarted. For now.
02-09-2009, 05:28 AM
#173
Race Director
...and if one does the math of the Insight vs. a plain Civic you'll end up with the same result: even a 2k premium for the Insight over a Civic will not be made up by the better fuel mileage in the typical ownership period.
...and then there's the resale issue...
...and then there's the resale issue...
02-16-2009, 06:06 PM
#174
Safety Car
Japan Sales
The 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid is seeing strong demand in its home market of Japan. The 1.89 million yen ($21,000 USD) went on sale in Japan on Feb. 6 and has already received more than 5,000 orders.
“This is so much better than expected. The Insight is priced below 2 million yen, and is energy efficient. We believe consumers like these aspects,” said Honda spokeswoman Natsuno Asanuma.
The 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid will make its U.S. and European debut in March. Honda plans on pricing the U.S. spec Insight right around $19,000, cheaper than the Civic Hybrid.
Powered by a 1.3 SOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT transmission and Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology, the Insight Hybrid returns an estimated 40/43 mpg (city/highway). It has a driving range of more than 400 miles on a full tank.
Posted Today, 5:00 PM by Nelson Ireson
The decision for U.S. production could be bolstered by the strong Japanese results
Making plans for the future is tough when the market is as shaky as it is now, but Honda is trying to find a way to get its Insight hybrid to market in the U.S. for less than $20,000. To do so, it may have to build the car in the U.S., but it won't be able to justify that step unless it can sell 100,000 of the cars in North America. Already on sale in Japan for about that price, the Insight is racking up sales, exceeding its monthly target by 200%.
The Japanese price of ¥1.89 million ($20,623) already makes the Insight the least expensive hybrid vehicle on the market, setting it up to succeed where other hybrids have failed, i.e. by still being economically justifiable even when fuel prices are relatively low. That puts a positive spin on the likelihood of a U.S.-built Insight, as long as the success in its home market carries over to America.
Initial sales figures weren't expected to be huge, for the obvious economic reasons. "If the Insight had gone on sale a half year earlier, it would have been such a sure hot-seller," said Honda's automotive development manager, Norio Ano, at the car's Tokyo unveiling. But the unexpected success of the Insight in Japan has the company optimistic.
"This is so much better than expected. The Insight is priced below 2 million yen, and is energy efficient. We believe consumers like these aspects," Honda spokeswoman Natsuno Asanuma told The Detroit News.
The car's 43mpg rating and low initial price are seen as the Insight's main selling points, since it will be cheap to buy and to operate, especially once fuel prices resume their inevitable rise.
The sub-$20,000 U.S. price was confirmed as a target at the Japanese-market launch by executive vice president Koichi Kondo.
The decision to build the Insight in the U.S. won't happen until the car's sales volume tops 100,000 per year on a regular basis. The company hopes the low price will help the car reach its annual sales goal of 100,000 cars in the U.S. and 200,000 globally.
Japanese buyers have been buying the car for about a week, with European availability starting next month. U.S. sales won't start until April.
“This is so much better than expected. The Insight is priced below 2 million yen, and is energy efficient. We believe consumers like these aspects,” said Honda spokeswoman Natsuno Asanuma.
The 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid will make its U.S. and European debut in March. Honda plans on pricing the U.S. spec Insight right around $19,000, cheaper than the Civic Hybrid.
Powered by a 1.3 SOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT transmission and Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology, the Insight Hybrid returns an estimated 40/43 mpg (city/highway). It has a driving range of more than 400 miles on a full tank.
Honda's new Insight doubles first-month sales targets in Japan
Posted Today, 5:00 PM by Nelson Ireson
The decision for U.S. production could be bolstered by the strong Japanese results
Making plans for the future is tough when the market is as shaky as it is now, but Honda is trying to find a way to get its Insight hybrid to market in the U.S. for less than $20,000. To do so, it may have to build the car in the U.S., but it won't be able to justify that step unless it can sell 100,000 of the cars in North America. Already on sale in Japan for about that price, the Insight is racking up sales, exceeding its monthly target by 200%.
The Japanese price of ¥1.89 million ($20,623) already makes the Insight the least expensive hybrid vehicle on the market, setting it up to succeed where other hybrids have failed, i.e. by still being economically justifiable even when fuel prices are relatively low. That puts a positive spin on the likelihood of a U.S.-built Insight, as long as the success in its home market carries over to America.
Initial sales figures weren't expected to be huge, for the obvious economic reasons. "If the Insight had gone on sale a half year earlier, it would have been such a sure hot-seller," said Honda's automotive development manager, Norio Ano, at the car's Tokyo unveiling. But the unexpected success of the Insight in Japan has the company optimistic.
"This is so much better than expected. The Insight is priced below 2 million yen, and is energy efficient. We believe consumers like these aspects," Honda spokeswoman Natsuno Asanuma told The Detroit News.
The car's 43mpg rating and low initial price are seen as the Insight's main selling points, since it will be cheap to buy and to operate, especially once fuel prices resume their inevitable rise.
The sub-$20,000 U.S. price was confirmed as a target at the Japanese-market launch by executive vice president Koichi Kondo.
The decision to build the Insight in the U.S. won't happen until the car's sales volume tops 100,000 per year on a regular basis. The company hopes the low price will help the car reach its annual sales goal of 100,000 cars in the U.S. and 200,000 globally.
Japanese buyers have been buying the car for about a week, with European availability starting next month. U.S. sales won't start until April.
02-16-2009, 06:31 PM
#175
The sizzle in the Steak
Buy a Fit.
02-17-2009, 12:04 AM
#178
Senior Moderator
Damn that actually looks good! :thumsup: Needs bigger wheels though. 
02-17-2009, 04:14 AM
#180
Race Director
02-26-2009, 06:58 AM
#181
Safety Car
Review
In the style of the Pentagon - where generals prepare to fight the last war, rather than the next - Honda launched a salvo at the Toyota Prius this week, only to discover the enemy had moved.
The car is the 2010 Honda Insight, a slope-nosed four-door hybrid hatchback that looks nearly identical to the Prius. Named after the original, aero-tadpole Insight (1999-2006), the new Insight aims to whittle away at Prius sales by offering hybrid-esque mileage (average 41 mpg) without the so-called hybrid premium (that is, the price difference between a comparable conventional car and a gas-electric hybrid).
The Insight will go on sale April 22 - Earth Day - and will be priced below the current Honda Civic hybrid ($23,650), the company promises.
Got that? Honda is offering a Prius-on-the-cheap that gets 41 mpg.
Alas, in a withering repost to all the hard work that must have gone into the Insight, the Prius has just gotten massively better. This week at the Detroit auto show, Toyota is showing off its redesigned 2010 Prius, with an average fuel economy up 4 mpg to more than 50 mpg. That's a marquee number that will let Prius keep its standing as the most fuel-efficient car sold in America.
The 2010 Prius is also bigger (0.6 inches longer), 1 second quicker to 60 mph (9.6 seconds), and chockablock with tech to set greenie tongues awag. Optional on the Prius is a roof-mounted solar array that generates enough watts to cool the cabin on hot days. Nifty.
So what confronts us now is a charming little game of chicken between the two Japanese carmakers. If Toyota sets the MSRP of the new Prius anywhere near its current base price - $22,000 - then Honda will be obliged to set the Insight's price lower, maybe much lower. After all, the car's market position, its entire rationale, rests on the price/mpg matrix. The 41-mpg Insight has to be substantially cheaper than the 50-mpg Prius.
Who will name the price first? Who will blink? Cue the Ennio Morricone music.
Honda execs will tell you they aren't really targeting the Prius, the world's best-selling hybrid model since 1997. Heavens, no. The 2010 Insight merely seeks to exploit an opportunity in the market, where eco-conscious Gen Y'ers and budget-conscious Empty Nesters can't justify the expense of a hybrid car. The visual similarities between the Insight and Prius are purely the consequence of aerodynamics, plus safety and packaging considerations. The cars are products of the same algebraic modulus.
(If I may interject a styling critique here, I'd give the Insight the advantage in looks. The front-end styling on the Honda - borrowed from the Honda Clarity and Accord - is proper and fitting. The nose of the Toyota seems pretty cobbled together. That said, you would need a pretty finely calibrated ugly stick to discern which car is actually “prettier.”)
And yet, the Insight - a futuristic lozenge of aero-cheating practicality - is unmistakably a hybrid. And that's significant. Hybridized versions of the Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu, Nisan Altima and Honda Civic don't offer the same psychic rewards, because their differences are concealed under conventional sheetmetal. The new Ford Fusion hybrid, which is a sensational car, offers limited pride-of-ownership rewards because a) it looks like another run-of-the-million Ford sedan and b) Ford isn't exactly the most cherished brand among whale-huggers.
I spent a day driving the new Honda Insight in early December (information was embargoed until this week) and it is almost exactly what you'd expect: impeccably constructed, well planned, and honeyed with high-tech surfaces and materials. Nothing feels cheap or compromised.
The car uses a version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist technology, with a 1.3-liter, 98-horsepower four-cylinder engine assisted by a 13-hp electric motor/generator (max torque is 123 pound-feet). Unlike previous generations of IMA-equipped Hondas, the car will move at very low speed on all-electric power and will coast at speeds up to 30 mph on electric.
The nickel-metal hydride battery pack (100.8 Volts, 5.75 amp-hours) and power electronics unit has been shrunk to the size of a breadbox and stuffed under the cargo floor in back. Cargo space is a very generous 16 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.
Like the Honda Clarity and the Ford Fusion hybrid, the Insight instrument panel brims with readouts and displays that coach and encourage efficient driving. Hard starts and stops and excessive speed are met with gentle reproofs.
The car also has an ECON mode: Push the button and the computer controllers throw a big green blanket over the car's systems. The idle-stop kicks in sooner; the air conditioning relies more on recirculation. The throttle response, power and torque are dialed back.
On a short hyper-miling course, I was able to coax 62 mpg out of the Insight. A colleague at the same event got well over 70 mpg in a Prius - the outgoing Prius.
Despite all the electronic nannying - which you can turn off or ignore, if you like - the Insight has one thing over the current Prius: The Insight is actually pretty fun to drive. It has the directness and agility and tossable nature that most Hondas have. It's awake at the wheel. It's not quick or fast, but it's well-planted, willing and buttoned to the road. The Prius drives like a microwave oven.
So now, after five years, the Prius - the very form and fashion of eco-consciousness - has a direct competitor. One car is cheaper off the lot, the other appears to be more fuel-efficient. One car is fun to drive, the other might or might not be. We'll see when the new Prius comes out this summer.
Who will win? I have to think consumers will.
The car is the 2010 Honda Insight, a slope-nosed four-door hybrid hatchback that looks nearly identical to the Prius. Named after the original, aero-tadpole Insight (1999-2006), the new Insight aims to whittle away at Prius sales by offering hybrid-esque mileage (average 41 mpg) without the so-called hybrid premium (that is, the price difference between a comparable conventional car and a gas-electric hybrid).
The Insight will go on sale April 22 - Earth Day - and will be priced below the current Honda Civic hybrid ($23,650), the company promises.
Got that? Honda is offering a Prius-on-the-cheap that gets 41 mpg.
Alas, in a withering repost to all the hard work that must have gone into the Insight, the Prius has just gotten massively better. This week at the Detroit auto show, Toyota is showing off its redesigned 2010 Prius, with an average fuel economy up 4 mpg to more than 50 mpg. That's a marquee number that will let Prius keep its standing as the most fuel-efficient car sold in America.
The 2010 Prius is also bigger (0.6 inches longer), 1 second quicker to 60 mph (9.6 seconds), and chockablock with tech to set greenie tongues awag. Optional on the Prius is a roof-mounted solar array that generates enough watts to cool the cabin on hot days. Nifty.
So what confronts us now is a charming little game of chicken between the two Japanese carmakers. If Toyota sets the MSRP of the new Prius anywhere near its current base price - $22,000 - then Honda will be obliged to set the Insight's price lower, maybe much lower. After all, the car's market position, its entire rationale, rests on the price/mpg matrix. The 41-mpg Insight has to be substantially cheaper than the 50-mpg Prius.
Who will name the price first? Who will blink? Cue the Ennio Morricone music.
Honda execs will tell you they aren't really targeting the Prius, the world's best-selling hybrid model since 1997. Heavens, no. The 2010 Insight merely seeks to exploit an opportunity in the market, where eco-conscious Gen Y'ers and budget-conscious Empty Nesters can't justify the expense of a hybrid car. The visual similarities between the Insight and Prius are purely the consequence of aerodynamics, plus safety and packaging considerations. The cars are products of the same algebraic modulus.
(If I may interject a styling critique here, I'd give the Insight the advantage in looks. The front-end styling on the Honda - borrowed from the Honda Clarity and Accord - is proper and fitting. The nose of the Toyota seems pretty cobbled together. That said, you would need a pretty finely calibrated ugly stick to discern which car is actually “prettier.”)
And yet, the Insight - a futuristic lozenge of aero-cheating practicality - is unmistakably a hybrid. And that's significant. Hybridized versions of the Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu, Nisan Altima and Honda Civic don't offer the same psychic rewards, because their differences are concealed under conventional sheetmetal. The new Ford Fusion hybrid, which is a sensational car, offers limited pride-of-ownership rewards because a) it looks like another run-of-the-million Ford sedan and b) Ford isn't exactly the most cherished brand among whale-huggers.
I spent a day driving the new Honda Insight in early December (information was embargoed until this week) and it is almost exactly what you'd expect: impeccably constructed, well planned, and honeyed with high-tech surfaces and materials. Nothing feels cheap or compromised.
The car uses a version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist technology, with a 1.3-liter, 98-horsepower four-cylinder engine assisted by a 13-hp electric motor/generator (max torque is 123 pound-feet). Unlike previous generations of IMA-equipped Hondas, the car will move at very low speed on all-electric power and will coast at speeds up to 30 mph on electric.
The nickel-metal hydride battery pack (100.8 Volts, 5.75 amp-hours) and power electronics unit has been shrunk to the size of a breadbox and stuffed under the cargo floor in back. Cargo space is a very generous 16 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.
Like the Honda Clarity and the Ford Fusion hybrid, the Insight instrument panel brims with readouts and displays that coach and encourage efficient driving. Hard starts and stops and excessive speed are met with gentle reproofs.
The car also has an ECON mode: Push the button and the computer controllers throw a big green blanket over the car's systems. The idle-stop kicks in sooner; the air conditioning relies more on recirculation. The throttle response, power and torque are dialed back.
On a short hyper-miling course, I was able to coax 62 mpg out of the Insight. A colleague at the same event got well over 70 mpg in a Prius - the outgoing Prius.
Despite all the electronic nannying - which you can turn off or ignore, if you like - the Insight has one thing over the current Prius: The Insight is actually pretty fun to drive. It has the directness and agility and tossable nature that most Hondas have. It's awake at the wheel. It's not quick or fast, but it's well-planted, willing and buttoned to the road. The Prius drives like a microwave oven.
So now, after five years, the Prius - the very form and fashion of eco-consciousness - has a direct competitor. One car is cheaper off the lot, the other appears to be more fuel-efficient. One car is fun to drive, the other might or might not be. We'll see when the new Prius comes out this summer.
Who will win? I have to think consumers will.
02-26-2009, 07:02 AM
#182
Safety Car
Review
Driven: 2010 Honda Insight
By Colin Mathews February 24th, 2009
By Colin Mathews February 24th, 2009
Climbing into the Clear Sky Blue (think Papa Smurf) 2010 Honda Insight, the first thing I noticed was the enthusiast-oriented gauge cluster, very similar to that found in the Honda Civic. The huge arc that circumscribes the entire affair is simple to read; despite the mass of eco-info presented in front of you, it's never distracting and can be programmed quickly to offer more or less info in the fuel-saving game.
The digital speedometer, identical to the Civic's (but seemingly more approriate here), is set in a hooded pocket that subtly shifts between green and blue hues. Green means you're conserving fuel; blue means you ain't. Because this color change occurs gradually and is just below the driver's line of sight (almost a sort of heads' up display), I found that a new obsession with keeping it in the green never once distracted from my attention to the road.
The 2010 Honda Insight has all sorts of ways to keep you operating efficiently. An ECO button retards throttle response and will let uphill cruise control speeds drift a few mph south to keep you from going into the blue zone; it also shuts the engine down more frequently at a dead stop. A small LCD display can be configured to rate the eco-friendliness of your driving, displaying instant mpg, overall mpg, and even showing a profusion (or a dearth) of little electro-leaves depending upon how miserly you are behind the wheel.
But what if you're in a hurry, and this annoyingly green, self-rightousmobile belongs to your Aunt or your significant other and you could give a damn about being green? Well, put the transmission selector in "S" mode, use the optional paddle shifters to select and hold 7 different CVT ratios, and lay on the gas. With the help of the insta-torque electric motor, you'll likely be surprised at how quickly this little Honda steps off and stays in the game. It will never pin your ears back, but neither will it feel strained or have trouble keeping up or merging with fast-moving traffic. What the Insight will NOT do is sound enticing or muscular at full-throttle: the CVT quickly shoots the diminutive 1.3-liter four to right below redline (a few hundred RPM higher with the transmission in "S") where it provides all the aural delight of a Kitchen Aid blender. However, at lower engine speeds the four-cylinder is subdued and pleasant.
Throw the Insight into a corner and - surprise! - the skinny tires on 15" wheels don't melt into exhausted understeer. This is a lithe, surprisingly tenacious little sedan. Traction is broken by front and rear ends at almost the same time, and a sudden lift of the throttle even provokes the tail to step out a tad. Direct steering with decent feedback doesn't feel like the electronically boosted unit that it is, and despite their strong regenerative nature, the brakes don't surge or step in their boost level though they do occasionally cause the car to stop a few feet shorter than intended. Interestingly, there was a little wander on the highway, requiring semi-frequent course corrections. Whether a function of the steering rack or the skinny tires I can't say.
In ECO mode, activated by the press of a green button, the engine is more eager to shut down at stoplights. It will occasionally use this function in regular mode, though not nearly as often. Startup is almost seamless, but of course the engine needs a split second to prep for duty. In ECO mode, a couple of times I noticed a touch of odd surging upon acceleration after engine re-start, but a good 95 percent of the time it felt like a traditional, gasoline-only powertrain.
In theory, I frowned upon the 2010 Honda Insight; it uses just an updated version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system from 1999 whose electric motor is not stout enough to pull the car from a dead stop under electric power alone. They say all-electric cruising at 30 mph is possible, but in a few days of driving I never witnessed such operation. With city mileage a full 8 mpg below the 2009 Prius' rating, I figured the new Insight would offer typically depressing hybrid driving dynamics with less economy to boot.
But then I got behind the wheel and came away grinning. Take your pick: creep around in green mode and consistently get mileage around 40 mpg, or squirt around town like a hooligan and still get respectable figures (I rarely saw anything below an indicated 25 mpg). The 2010 Honda Insight is a hybrid suitable for the aggressive driver; perhaps it will lure a whole new flock of car buyers into the hybrid fold.
02-26-2009, 07:22 AM
#183
Safety Car
Finally, Someone Else Says It
2010 Honda Insight RoadTest Review
An Affordable and Affable Hybrid for Everyone
By: Dan Edmunds , Director of Vehicle Testing
Vehicle Tested: 2010 Honda Insight
Pros: Much better fuel economy than a Honda Fit without sacrificing performance, spacious and adjustable driving position, Eco-Assist driver coaching system.
Cons: Limited rear-seat space, cartoonish dash design, somewhat noisy.
An Affordable and Affable Hybrid for Everyone
By: Dan Edmunds , Director of Vehicle Testing
Vehicle Tested: 2010 Honda Insight
Pros: Much better fuel economy than a Honda Fit without sacrificing performance, spacious and adjustable driving position, Eco-Assist driver coaching system.
Cons: Limited rear-seat space, cartoonish dash design, somewhat noisy.
An Affordable and Affable Hybrid for Everyone
Talk with anyone about hybrids and the Toyota Prius will be mentioned within the first minute. Try it sometime. Bring your stopwatch. See? We just did it in the opening sentence. It's almost to the point where the non-word "Prius" has achieved synonym status alongside Kleenex and Xerox.
So when the first official photos of the new 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid were released, cries of "They've copied the Prius!" began almost immediately. It's the high rear hatchback paired with a vertical glass window between the taillights that does it. The Prius had that back in 2004. Case closed.
Doesn't anyone recall that the original 2000 Honda Insight and the 1988 Honda CRX had that hatch arrangement first? Who copied whom, here?
That's the Insight's problem. No one remembers that it was the first hybrid sold in North America because its two-seat layout was weird-looking and impractical. Sales were dreadful — only 18,000 worldwide over six years. Changing the 2010 Insight into a four-door hatchback isn't another example of copying; it's just good business sense. After all, Honda wants to sell 90,000 new Insights per year.
To ensure those sales, Honda aims to keep the price low and keep hybrid eccentricities to a minimum. Official prices are not yet available, but we estimate that our 2010 Honda EX with Navigation, the most loaded configuration there is, will sell for less than $22,500. That's about $5,000 less than a comparably equipped 2009 Toyota Prius. Better still, the starter Insight LX, well-equipped in its own right, is expected to debut for less than $18,000.
Performance
In order to keep the price low, Honda stuck with its simple, tried-and-true Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. Basic propulsion here comes from an efficient 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that makes 88 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque. Sandwiched between that and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a thin electric motor that produces another 13 hp and 58 lb-ft of torque. It's fed by a 108V battery pack that uses familiar nickel-metal hydride cells.
Under braking, this motor acts as a generator and feeds electrons back into the battery. Total system output when you mash the throttle is 98 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. At our test track, the Insight scooted to 60 mph in 10.9 seconds — a tenth quicker than the last Honda Fit Sport we tested and about 2.5 seconds better than a Honda Civic Hybrid. It's no speed demon, but the new Insight is no slug, either.
When you're in less of a hurry, there's enough electric motivation to propel the 2010 Insight at city speeds up to 30 mph with the engine off. This transition is utterly seamless because the always-connected nature of the system means the engine is still spinning and the tachometer still registers whenever the car moves. In this fuel-cut electric mode, the Insight's VTEC system switches to a lobe-less round cam that keeps the valves shut to reduce pumping losses.
EPA fuel economy figures have not been released, but Honda says they'll come in at 40 mpg city, 43 mpg highway and 41 mpg combined. Yes, the 2009 Prius is rated higher at 46 mpg combined. But the non-linear nature of the mpg unit means a 5-mpg difference in this rarified region is less meaningful. In a 15,000-mile driving year, it amounts to 40 gallons — $80 at current fuel prices. We ran our Insight EX against a 2009 Prius in a 197-mile suburban fuel economy loop near Phoenix, and the Insight returned 51.5 mpg to the Prius' 54.4 mpg. Not too shabby.
From the firewall forward, the new Insight borrows its chassis and strut suspension from the 2009 Honda Fit. It features a twist-beam rear axle like the Fit, too. The ABS brakes are ventilated discs in front and drums out back. The result is a nimble-handling compact in the Honda tradition. It goes where it's pointed, feels lively and stops smartly. There's no hybrid weirdness, either. The regenerative braking operates transparently and the electronic power steering (EPS) weights up nicely in corners.
Comfort
The Fit-based Honda Insight rides like a lot of other small Hondas, too. The ride isn't overly firm, but it isn't squishy, either. It stays flat and composed. Wind noise isn't an issue, but there's some coarse road noise. This is a common trait in Honda's smaller cars, the result of a preference for low weight at the expense of sound-deadening materials.
The seating position and seat design impart a feeling of relaxed comfort. You sit lower here than in a Prius, and there's more apparent front legroom. The tilt steering wheel also telescopes out to meet the hands of taller drivers, and the EX has a height-adjustable driver seat for a custom fit. The picture isn't as rosy in back, where the compact nature of the Insight becomes apparent. The Insight's 100.4-inch wheelbase (compared to 106.3 for the larger Prius) equates to a lack of leg- and headroom for rear-seat passengers of above-average height.
Function
A new Eco-Assist driver coaching system is the key interior feature of the new Insight. It takes advantage of the Civic-style split-level dash by altering the background color of the high-mounted speedometer from blue to green to indicate efficient driving. The default page of the comprehensive trip computer houses a bar graph that encourages gentle use of throttle and brakes, and it awards leaf icons for sustained thrift over a trip and over the life of the car.
If it sounds like a rolling videogame, you're right. But it manages to be compelling without distracting. Want to improve your score? An "ECON" button desensitizes the throttle pedal and alters the CVT and IMA software for increased economy. It also cycles the A/C compressor off more often and makes the EX-only cruise control less aggressive. The Insight becomes a bit more sluggish in this frugal mode, but will earn you more eco-laurels.
Traditional controls are well laid out and easy to operate. Single-zone automatic air-conditioning is standard, and its controls are particularly close to the driver. The CVT shift lever has a "Sport" position, and EX models have steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. All Insights have an aux jack, and the EX adds an iPod-friendly USB port. The audio system is simple to use, but at the end of the day, even our top-level stereo needs a speaker upgrade.
The Insight's standard luggage capacity is 15.9 cubic feet — a bit more than the Prius. Folding the 60/40 seats down together opens things up to 31.5 cubes.
The Insight provides impressive visibility around the A-pillars and an excellent rearward view due to the rear hatch's lower window. We didn't find the headlights particularly illuminating, however. Stability control is standard on the EX and all trim levels carry a host of airbags, including side curtains.
Design/Fit and Finish
We found the long and low look of the new Insight sleek and attractive, resembling a stretched early-'90s Honda CRX with two more doors. The new corporate grille and headlight treatment that look a little odd on the CR-V are particularly effective here. We're not as smitten with the inside, however. It's well put together, the pieces are attractively grained and the gaps are small, but the overriding nodular design theme is busy to look at. The wealth of hard plastic is forgivable in an economy car, and should hold up well.
Who Should Buy This Vehicle
The new Insight is affordable enough to be on the shopping list of any recent college grad. It has enough space for small families and empty-nesters alike. But this is a compact. The lack of a roomy backseat, a hallmark of the Prius, makes it less desirable for those who plan to transport adults in back on a regular basis. Bottom line: The Insight might be the first high-mileage hybrid that is affordable enough for the purchase price to pencil out.
Others To Consider
Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, and the manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
03-10-2009, 08:56 AM
#184
insight is the best selling hybrid in japan...
As usual, here is the early days selling figures for the Insight in the Japanese market.
Since its introduction on Feb 6th.
- Total orders (1 full month) : 18000, more than 3 times the monthly target of 5000 units (60k/year).
- Total deliveries in (in Feb) : 4906, making it the 10th best selling car for the month, and the best selling hybrid for that period.
Main selling points.
- Excellent fuel economy.
- Good utility.
- Identifiable "hybrid" car.
- A competitive price-tag that redefines the hybrid segment.
Typical buyer (never seen a list this long, it seems that the appeal is really wide).
- Families with parents in the 40-50's.
- Singles in the 30's.
- Married couples in their 20-30's with no kids.
without any particular distinction between man, woman, or social status.
Previous ownership
- Honda (50%)
- Other brands (50%)
Orders by grade (from cheapest to most expensive)
- G (from 1.890 Myen) : 40%
- L (from 2.050 Myen) : 40%
- LS (from 2.210 Myen) : 20%
Most popular manufacturer options:
- HID's : 76%
- HDD Navy (including rear-view camera) : 70%
- Honda Smart key (keyless entry/start) : 30%
Most popular colours:
- White : 27%
- Silver (light gray): 22%
- Polished metal (dark gray) : 21%
- Black : 12%
- Blue : 7%
- Violet : 6%
- Red : 5%
Edit note :
For sure early sales of any Japanese model in Japan are always pretty strong when it's new and fade afterwards. That said, not many Honda's have recently registered 3 times more orders than the target sales number on its first month.
It seems that the market introduction has been pretty good, and that the hype is building positively for Honda in their home land.
It remains to be seen though if they can keep it up in the long term, specially after the new Prius launches this fall.
Since its introduction on Feb 6th.
- Total orders (1 full month) : 18000, more than 3 times the monthly target of 5000 units (60k/year).
- Total deliveries in (in Feb) : 4906, making it the 10th best selling car for the month, and the best selling hybrid for that period.
Main selling points.
- Excellent fuel economy.
- Good utility.
- Identifiable "hybrid" car.
- A competitive price-tag that redefines the hybrid segment.
Typical buyer (never seen a list this long, it seems that the appeal is really wide).
- Families with parents in the 40-50's.
- Singles in the 30's.
- Married couples in their 20-30's with no kids.
without any particular distinction between man, woman, or social status.
Previous ownership
- Honda (50%)
- Other brands (50%)
Orders by grade (from cheapest to most expensive)
- G (from 1.890 Myen) : 40%
- L (from 2.050 Myen) : 40%
- LS (from 2.210 Myen) : 20%
Most popular manufacturer options:
- HID's : 76%
- HDD Navy (including rear-view camera) : 70%
- Honda Smart key (keyless entry/start) : 30%
Most popular colours:
- White : 27%
- Silver (light gray): 22%
- Polished metal (dark gray) : 21%
- Black : 12%
- Blue : 7%
- Violet : 6%
- Red : 5%
Edit note :
For sure early sales of any Japanese model in Japan are always pretty strong when it's new and fade afterwards. That said, not many Honda's have recently registered 3 times more orders than the target sales number on its first month.
It seems that the market introduction has been pretty good, and that the hype is building positively for Honda in their home land.
It remains to be seen though if they can keep it up in the long term, specially after the new Prius launches this fall.
03-10-2009, 10:04 AM
#185
Senior Moderator
Most popular manufacturer options:
- HID's : 76%
- HDD Navy (including rear-view camera) : 70%
- Honda Smart key (keyless entry/start) : 30%
- HID's : 76%
- HDD Navy (including rear-view camera) : 70%
- Honda Smart key (keyless entry/start) : 30%
03-10-2009, 11:00 AM
#186
The sizzle in the Steak
^^ Nav at best
03-10-2009, 11:27 AM
#187
Senior Moderator
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/4960
03/10/2009 - TORRANCE, Calif. -
The all-new 2010 Honda Insight goes on-sale March 24 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price1 (MSRP) of $19,800 for the Insight LX, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.
The distinctively styled, five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) system comprised of a 1.3-liter i-VTEC® gasoline engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that together contribute to an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 40/43 miles per gallonn2. The Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™), an innovation that can further enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles.
"The all-new Honda Insight brings the cost of entry for hybrid technology within closer reach of an entirely new car-shopping audience," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "In addition to making good environmental sense, hybrid technology is now entering a new era where it can also make financial sense for a broader range of customers."
A sleek exterior blends design elements from the original 2000 Insight's highly aerodynamic side profile with a front-end design similar to the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity, a marquee environmental product for Honda. The interior offers a roomy passenger environment with a configurable rear seating and cargo area that benefits from 60/40 split fold-down seats.
Major features standard to the Insight LX include front, front-side and side-curtain airbags; an anti-lock braking system; a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); Eco Assist; automatic climate control; tilt and telescope steering column; manual driver's seat height adjustment; power windows; a four-speaker AM/FM audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio input for external digital music players; and much more.
A more premium version of the Insight is also available. The Insight EX, with a MSRP of $21,300, adds to the Insight LX features with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®); alloy wheels; cruise control; steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters; an upgraded audio system with six speakers; USB audio interface3; a center console with armrest and storage compartment; heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals; and much more. Exclusively available on the Insight EX, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System4 (6.5-inch screen) with voice recognition provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7 million points of interest within the continental United States. Models equipped with the navigation system also include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® for hands-free operation of compatible mobile telephones, along with related steering wheel-mounted controls for voice activation of navigation and hands-free telephone systems.
A 4-cylinder engine with intelligent variable valve timing and a DC brushless electric motor forms the foundation of the IMA hybrid system. The electric motor, positioned in-line between the engine and the transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations, and recaptures energy from the vehicle's forward momentum during braking (regenerative braking).
The Insight's IMA system has the capability to operate exclusively on electric power in certain low- to mid-speed cruising conditions. It can also provide cylinder deactivation during deceleration and an idle-stop feature when the vehicle is stationary. With a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, the Insight delivers an estimated maximum driving range exceeding 400 miles. Models for sale in California and states that have adopted the California Air Resources Board (CARB) ZEV standards receive an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) emissions rating.
The Insight introduces Eco Assist to help drivers achieve improved real-world fuel economy. Eco Assist is a feature designed to help drivers optimize fuel efficiency for their given set of driving conditions. Pressing the ECON button can further enhance the efficiency of multiple vehicle systems: throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (EX only). Eco Assist also provides feedback about driving style via a 3D-appearing background within the speedometer. The background changes colors from green to blue to reflect how efficiently or inefficiently the driver is accelerating or braking (green = efficient). The driver's results are continuously tracked as fuel-economy ratings are shown per drive cycle and on a lifetime basis in the form of plant-leaf graphics that appear in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Up to five leaves can be ‘earned' as the driver demonstrates a fuel-efficient driving style. A real-time score is shown in the Eco Guide MID screen.
Standard safety features on all Insights include dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver's and front-passenger's active head restraints and a front body designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. All new Insights also feature Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, which provides improved frontal-crash compatibility between vehicles of different size and ride height.
Honda is a leader in developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, including the original Honda Insight, introduced as America's first mass-produced hybrid car in December 1999. Honda is also a leader in the development of advanced alternatives to gasoline, including the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity fuel-cell car, the world's most advanced production fuel-cell automobile.
2010 Honda Insight Pricing and EPA Data
Model MSRP1 EPA2 City/Hwy/Combined
Insight LX $19,800 40/43/41
Insight EX $21,300 40/43/41
Insight EX with Navi $23,100 40/43/41
The all-new 2010 Honda Insight goes on-sale March 24 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price1 (MSRP) of $19,800 for the Insight LX, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.
The distinctively styled, five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) system comprised of a 1.3-liter i-VTEC® gasoline engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that together contribute to an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 40/43 miles per gallonn2. The Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™), an innovation that can further enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles.
"The all-new Honda Insight brings the cost of entry for hybrid technology within closer reach of an entirely new car-shopping audience," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "In addition to making good environmental sense, hybrid technology is now entering a new era where it can also make financial sense for a broader range of customers."
A sleek exterior blends design elements from the original 2000 Insight's highly aerodynamic side profile with a front-end design similar to the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity, a marquee environmental product for Honda. The interior offers a roomy passenger environment with a configurable rear seating and cargo area that benefits from 60/40 split fold-down seats.
Major features standard to the Insight LX include front, front-side and side-curtain airbags; an anti-lock braking system; a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); Eco Assist; automatic climate control; tilt and telescope steering column; manual driver's seat height adjustment; power windows; a four-speaker AM/FM audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio input for external digital music players; and much more.
A more premium version of the Insight is also available. The Insight EX, with a MSRP of $21,300, adds to the Insight LX features with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®); alloy wheels; cruise control; steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters; an upgraded audio system with six speakers; USB audio interface3; a center console with armrest and storage compartment; heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals; and much more. Exclusively available on the Insight EX, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System4 (6.5-inch screen) with voice recognition provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7 million points of interest within the continental United States. Models equipped with the navigation system also include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® for hands-free operation of compatible mobile telephones, along with related steering wheel-mounted controls for voice activation of navigation and hands-free telephone systems.
A 4-cylinder engine with intelligent variable valve timing and a DC brushless electric motor forms the foundation of the IMA hybrid system. The electric motor, positioned in-line between the engine and the transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations, and recaptures energy from the vehicle's forward momentum during braking (regenerative braking).
The Insight's IMA system has the capability to operate exclusively on electric power in certain low- to mid-speed cruising conditions. It can also provide cylinder deactivation during deceleration and an idle-stop feature when the vehicle is stationary. With a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, the Insight delivers an estimated maximum driving range exceeding 400 miles. Models for sale in California and states that have adopted the California Air Resources Board (CARB) ZEV standards receive an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) emissions rating.
The Insight introduces Eco Assist to help drivers achieve improved real-world fuel economy. Eco Assist is a feature designed to help drivers optimize fuel efficiency for their given set of driving conditions. Pressing the ECON button can further enhance the efficiency of multiple vehicle systems: throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (EX only). Eco Assist also provides feedback about driving style via a 3D-appearing background within the speedometer. The background changes colors from green to blue to reflect how efficiently or inefficiently the driver is accelerating or braking (green = efficient). The driver's results are continuously tracked as fuel-economy ratings are shown per drive cycle and on a lifetime basis in the form of plant-leaf graphics that appear in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Up to five leaves can be ‘earned' as the driver demonstrates a fuel-efficient driving style. A real-time score is shown in the Eco Guide MID screen.
Standard safety features on all Insights include dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver's and front-passenger's active head restraints and a front body designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. All new Insights also feature Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, which provides improved frontal-crash compatibility between vehicles of different size and ride height.
Honda is a leader in developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, including the original Honda Insight, introduced as America's first mass-produced hybrid car in December 1999. Honda is also a leader in the development of advanced alternatives to gasoline, including the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity fuel-cell car, the world's most advanced production fuel-cell automobile.
2010 Honda Insight Pricing and EPA Data
Model MSRP1 EPA2 City/Hwy/Combined
Insight LX $19,800 40/43/41
Insight EX $21,300 40/43/41
Insight EX with Navi $23,100 40/43/41
03-10-2009, 11:54 AM
#188
Team Owner
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fontana, California
Age: 47
Posts: 30,991
Received 582 Likes
on
346 Posts
$19,800 + market adjustment by dealers. 
Before my wife and I decided what car we were gonna get we went to Diamond Bar Honda to look at the Honda Fit. We really liked it but when looked at the sticker it was priced about $2K more than what MSRP was. So I talked to the salesman about it. They said that the market for them is higher, which at that point I stated, is that why you have so many of them on the lot that haven't moved? Needless to say, we walked away with them full knowing we never intend to buy a car from them, evar.
Before my wife and I decided what car we were gonna get we went to Diamond Bar Honda to look at the Honda Fit. We really liked it but when looked at the sticker it was priced about $2K more than what MSRP was. So I talked to the salesman about it. They said that the market for them is higher, which at that point I stated, is that why you have so many of them on the lot that haven't moved? Needless to say, we walked away with them full knowing we never intend to buy a car from them, evar.
03-10-2009, 12:27 PM
#189
The Third Ball
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Age: 45
Posts: 49,131
Received 4,825 Likes
on
2,572 Posts
Stupid Honda...you just priced it right out your aimed demographic.
03-10-2009, 12:45 PM
#191
Team Owner
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fontana, California
Age: 47
Posts: 30,991
Received 582 Likes
on
346 Posts
03-10-2009, 01:06 PM
#192
The Third Ball
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Age: 45
Posts: 49,131
Received 4,825 Likes
on
2,572 Posts
Why set the insight in that price range unless they are discontinuing the civic hybrid. maybe they are and I missed that part?
03-10-2009, 03:08 PM
#193
The sizzle in the Steak
Honda morons 
This is just going to drive Fit sales through the roof.
Save 5 grand and get a Fit...which is a better looking and more fun to drive car.
......guess how long it will take you to achieve 5 grand in fuel savings
oof! Sometimes it seems Honda peeps takes one too many crazy pills.
This is just going to drive Fit sales through the roof.
Save 5 grand and get a Fit...which is a better looking and more fun to drive car.
......guess how long it will take you to achieve 5 grand in fuel savings
oof! Sometimes it seems Honda peeps takes one too many crazy pills.
03-10-2009, 03:48 PM
#194
Senior Moderator
For as barebones as they are saying the entry model is, it should have started in the 16-17k range. Make a truly affordable hybrid. And dealer markups when it hits shores...yeah, idiot dealers pushing away customers.
Why set the insight in that price range unless they are discontinuing the civic hybrid. maybe they are and I missed that part?
Why set the insight in that price range unless they are discontinuing the civic hybrid. maybe they are and I missed that part?
Civic Hybrid starts at $23,3xx. Almost 4k less is considerable.
03-10-2009, 07:51 PM
#195
Fahrvergnügen'd
Clarkson got 50mpg in a Jag. The 1.3L Polo diesel Hamster drove did over 70mpg real world.
Hell, Clarkson did 800+ miles on 20 gals of diesel in an A8 hypermiling.
Bottom line is that gasoline hybrids are stupid technology. The gas engines aren't economical enough and the electric part doesn't run often enough.
Lose/Lose and $5k more than a comparable car? No thanks!
Hell, Clarkson did 800+ miles on 20 gals of diesel in an A8 hypermiling.
Bottom line is that gasoline hybrids are stupid technology. The gas engines aren't economical enough and the electric part doesn't run often enough.
Lose/Lose and $5k more than a comparable car? No thanks!
03-10-2009, 09:33 PM
#197
The Third Ball
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Age: 45
Posts: 49,131
Received 4,825 Likes
on
2,572 Posts
03-10-2009, 09:40 PM
#198
You'll Never Walk Alone
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Age: 37
Posts: 9,492
Received 834 Likes
on
518 Posts
Clarkson got 50mpg in a Jag. The 1.3L Polo diesel Hamster drove did over 70mpg real world.
Hell, Clarkson did 800+ miles on 20 gals of diesel in an A8 hypermiling.
Bottom line is that gasoline hybrids are stupid technology. The gas engines aren't economical enough and the electric part doesn't run often enough.
Lose/Lose and $5k more than a comparable car? No thanks!
Hell, Clarkson did 800+ miles on 20 gals of diesel in an A8 hypermiling.
Bottom line is that gasoline hybrids are stupid technology. The gas engines aren't economical enough and the electric part doesn't run often enough.
Lose/Lose and $5k more than a comparable car? No thanks!
I guess two of the reasons why they are not doing diesel hybrid is because of the weight and "overlapping." We all know diesel engines are heavy. Weight to power ratio is often on the high side for diesel engines (7-8lb/hp, that's before turbocharging, I would say nowadays, it's more like 5lb/hp?), while for gasoline engine, it's roughly (2-3lb/hp). We also know that hybrid system adds weight, no question about that. Essentially, when you combine the heavy diesel engine and the hybrid system, and make the car front-engined, front-wheel drive...it will simply...suck..
Also, diesel engines are good at making low end torque, and coincidentally, that's true for electric motors. That's the "overlapping" problem. It's great to have a lot of torque, but it's meaningless if you don't have hp. And one can write pages and pages on how hp and torque are related....
Anyways, perhaps you are not even saying diesel+electric motor is a good idea...may be all you are trying to say is gasoline + electric motor is stupid..nothing else...
03-10-2009, 09:44 PM
#199
You'll Never Walk Alone
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Age: 37
Posts: 9,492
Received 834 Likes
on
518 Posts
Honda morons
This is just going to drive Fit sales through the roof.
Save 5 grand and get a Fit...which is a better looking and more fun to drive car.
......guess how long it will take you to achieve 5 grand in fuel savings
oof! Sometimes it seems Honda peeps takes one too many crazy pills.
This is just going to drive Fit sales through the roof.
Save 5 grand and get a Fit...which is a better looking and more fun to drive car.
......guess how long it will take you to achieve 5 grand in fuel savings
oof! Sometimes it seems Honda peeps takes one too many crazy pills.
"For sure early sales of any Japanese model in Japan are always pretty strong when it's new and fade afterwards. That said, not many Honda's have recently registered 3 times more orders than the target sales number on its first month."
And I thought they are not making enough fits to satisfy the demand?
03-10-2009, 11:25 PM
#200
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
will sell well.