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Is it a Toyota
Prius in disguise?
No. It's
the brand new Honda Insight, and it's not a copy cat
Prius. In fact, both the Prius and the Insight hybrid
are copy cats of ideas based on German research that
happened decades ago. But that's a different
story.
Still, the
second generation Insight is the rebirth of the original
2-seat Insight that debuted back in 1999. This time,
however, the Insight is here to stay and Honda hopes it
can begin to immediately sell at least 100,000 of these
hybrids in just the first year.
Yes,
that's no big deal compared to the Prius, but no other
automaker has come close to such a number. If Honda
achieves its production plans, it will have established
itself far above every other automaker, other than
Toyota, in terms of hybrid cars.
The
aerodynamically-focused Insight hybrid is a four-door,
five passenger hatckback that will list for $19,800 plus
destination fees and come in three main trim
levels.
Powered by
the same 1.3-liter gasoline VTEC engine and 13-hp
electric motor as the Civic
hybrid, the Insight churns out about 98 horsepower.
However, the new NiMH batteries powering the Insight
hybrid are 30 percent more efficient than those in the
Civic hybrid, which helped lower the cost and weight of
the Insight's battery pack. The new batteries are also
about 30 percent more durable.
On the
downside, expect cloth seats on the Insight, something a
number of reviewers have already noticed. Still, the
cabin design exudes ergonomics and intuitive controls,
and the cargo area makes the Insight's hatchback
functionality quite fantastic.
All-in-all
the Honda Insight is a fantastic car that also happens
to be a hybrid with pretty darn good fuel economy
numbers. However, unlike many hybrids, the Insight
offers a pretty conventional price, rather than the
typical hybrid premium.
In a
nutshell, the Insight hybrid is a lot of car at a great
price.
What do
you think about Honda's new Insight? Add
your Insight hybrid comments.
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KEY
INSIGHT HYBRID FACTS:
Base
Price -$19,800 + $670 destination fee
40/43
mpg EPA city/highway
98
horsepower, SOHC 8-valve I-4
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