Honda Insight hybrid returns
It's backHonda's new dedicated hybrid, intended to take on the Toyota Prius, will be called the Honda Insight, the same name as Honda's original two-seat hybrid. Honda isn't yet releasing many details about this new hybrid, but it is expected to debut the new car at the Paris Auto Show. And, according to some reports, the new Honda Insight hybrid will be available for sale next April.
Finally, some real competition in the hybrid cars segment is emerging.
Labels: honda insight hybrid, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
6:48 AM
22 Comments:
Not a plug in though? Mabye later. We need to make sure we fire up some more coal powered plants, and build up a bunch of nuclear plants to be sure we have enough electricity to charge them.
What's wind? The sun? Yeah it's hot, but what else can it do for us? Sorry, just been watching the RNC and checking out our next energy policy. Gotta find out which hedge fund to get into...Oh wait, I don't quality because I don't make enough.
Good job Honda...the more the merrier!
Oh, just looking at the article in Autoweek, and there is one in every crowd. "I hope it isn't a plug in" because the power plants are coal burning and dirty. First off...I can't personally change that, that's someone elses job (note previous comment on RNC), but I can choose a car that doesn't exacerbate the problem by belching out the Carbons. Many forward thinking States and Companies are delving into it. Boone Pickens talks about it. Let our Power facilities use their vast resources and our Government use their pens and allow "CLEAN" energy to exist. Meanwhile, give me the choice. If I was more 'well to do', I'd put in my own solar panels and I, the private citizen, could actually be completely off gas. Why can't they?
Honda has not been a big proponent of plug-in hybrids and EVs, at least not yet. Thus far, Honda has indicated that it believes cheap, small hybrid cars are the best short term solution, eventually followed by fuel cell vehicles, such as the Honda FCX, which the company is now leasing in very limited numbers.
Still, when you find a good hedge fund let me know. I don't have enough money either, but at least I can pretend.
re: your 2nd comment
well it would take a lot of money to develop clean energy and the payback would take many years to both achieve and to benefit from, but of course its possible.
unfortunately, the people trying to advance clean energy don't have the money that conventional energy has and, let's be honest, lobbyists largely run Congress. therefore, money largely runs Washington.
and to be fair, consumers have the same short term mentality. we want it as cheap as possible now regardless of the long term consequences. how can we be expected to invest in the future of energy if we don't invest in retirement, in our kid's college funds, etc, etc., because we'd rather drive a fancy car right now.
to me, it seems a gas tax could easily make clean transportation energy a reality quite quickly, but such an idea is political suicide.
if clean energy doesn't happen without any cost to consumers, or minimal cost at best, too many voters have and continue to be against it.
its sad and pathetic, but it is what it is.
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For me, it is no plug - no deal!
But as you say, at least someone has decided to be in competition with the Prius. And since Honda makes quality products and has such a loyal following, I am sure the new Insight will do well.
and i think any momentum in hybrids builds momentum towards plug-in vehicles as well.
I'd love to just be able to tell people that I haven't used more than a few gallons of Gas in months! Which even for just the range of a plug in, I'd probably achieve. They need people to tell them, "look, I'm doing it, don't you want to not pay for gas?" Then, the eyes open. I guess the eyes can't open if the mind it closed.
you might not pay for gas, but you still pay some costs in electricity and you pay a lot more in upfront costs. that's going to be a hard sell for many americans, even if you can demonstrate you save money in the long run.
studies indicate most americans are very interested in today's hybrid vehicles, they just don't want to pay extra for them. thus, something like the new honda insight has a lot of value, especially in the near future.
Then I say, "Oh, I charge them myself with those solar panels...actually, most of the time, the electric company pays me for the electricity I produce". Yes, costs. But, IT CAN BE DONE. It's proof. But then again, people still won't believe it or care.
I can only imagine what the markup for this car is going to be.
Indigo Incarnates
I really dig the revised Insight. It's pretty and it's not a huge guzzler hulk or a luxury sedan nobody can afford.
I am *so* happy that Honda is going to make a decent, efficient, affordable hybrid.
In a perfect world, Honda would adapt the instrument cluster from the FCX and put it in the new insight. :)
Coal may be dirty but solar is clean...common folks...I'll plug my plug-in into my solar panels...get a few solar panels people! Ya gotta help! Daddy's not going to do it for you!
Hey negative thinkers, dirty coal puffers, daddy won't do it for you...Charge your plug-in with a few solar panels. I have em and I'm ready. Grow up!!!
Many Americans don't own a house. Where are they supposed to put their solar panels?
it still looks like they ripped of the aesthetics of the Prius. We hated the hybrid system (and the cheap feel of the interior) on the original Insight, couldn't wait to get into the Prius - which seemed to get it more 'right' overall. After 5 years, we did decide to get a Altima Hybrid and I have a Fusion Hybrid on order, doing what we can to encourage more car companies to get into the game... but still I say that Honda looks like also rans with their design choice...
can't totally blame Honda for the Insight design. it's aerodynamic, but its not a rip off the Prius - both the Prius and the Insight are based off decades old German aerodynamic research.
It looks great. For a while now i'd always wanted to buy a hybrid but didn't like the egg shape prius and was waiting for a sporty look. A more attractive car. I think I found my car with the insight. I have been keeping up with the hybrid and the EV cars and hope that the EV will come back.
Finally, a great Hybrid vehicle that makes sense. As iconic as the Prius may be, it is still a $23,000 compact hatchback!!! Not everyone needs all the gizmo's and gadgets. The Insight also combines EVERYDAY car looks with the quirky looks of the Prius that certainly makes this car more attractive for those who aren't all that impressed with the looks of the Prius such as myself. This is probably going to be my next vehicle unless Toyota can do better!!!
justin-
i think honda is going to do better, than the Insight, with both the cr-z hybrid and the honda fit hybrid.
My wife and I own a 2010 Honda Insight hybrid and a 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid. Driven carefully using the "pulse and glide" driving technique, both vehicles deliver a consistent 50+ mpg in a combination of city and highway driving. Fit and finish are superb on both cars, as you would expect from Honda and Toyota.
The Prius is rated to be about 20% more fuel efficient than the Insight. In practice, we find there is little gas mileage difference between the two vehicles. So far it is a statistical dead heat. That is our experience -- yours might differ.
Both are fine vehicles. It comes down to personal preference. The Prius costs more but is larger and more comfortable.
I have 6,000 miles on my Insight since October 19th 2009. I have not had one problem with the car. my 17 year old daughter drives it about half the time. I average about 45 mpg with the car.
It handles extremely well for a car of this type. I understand that Mugen in Japan offers a handling package for the car.
It is a very good car.
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