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"PS - I miss the wheel curtains on the new model, too! And the Insight..."

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Honda Releases Details of its Prius Killer

Written by Hank Green on 05/09/08

I've been waiting for this picture for so long. Look at her...isn't she a beauty.

I've been a fan of the ultra-sleek look of the Honda FCX Clarity since I first got to gaze upon one last year in Los Angeles. So when I heard that Honda would be basing its new hybrid design on the Clarity I was thrilled.

And here we have it, the Prius killer, a 5-door, 5-passenger, dedicated hybrid model for only $18,500. If I wasn't so dead-set on a Volt, this would be my next car.

Just looking, it's obvious that this won't hit the 70 mpg of the original (two seater) Insight, and it's possible that the cheaper hybrid system (which is how they got to $18.5) might lower the fuel economy even more. But in any case, the Insight will be small, versatile and extremely fuel efficient.

I'm looking forward to seeing whether this beauty can beat out the Prius for gas mileage. I expect it will, but we'll have to wait for the EPA to do its thing.

Via Ecomodder

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Plug-in Option Not Possible
written by Carl, September 05, 2008
Honda claims the lower cost is because they use the IMA technology, i.e. the usual gasoline powertrain with an electric motor added. That means they can't sell a plug-in option. (The Toyota system uses two electric motors and a 3-way gear so the car can move with the engine off.)

From the press release, The Insight Concept defines a new stage in the evolution of hybrid technology by utilizing a more cost-efficient version of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) hybrid technology

I'm skeptical that it's really much different in cost than the Toyota system-- there is no transmission so that offsets the complexity of the hybrid system. Maybe because of patents?
0
Pity...
written by Timothy, September 05, 2008
...they're getting rid of the covered back wheels. I always loved those. It's the geek in me: I always thought the Insight looked a little like some sort of space pod.
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It's a Prius...
written by Hank, September 05, 2008
Check out the photos on car-and-driver, it's hard to tell the Insight from the Prius. I wish the car looked a little different, so there were more options than Prius A and Prius B. :(
0
...
written by Karkus, September 05, 2008
The great thing about this car is the cost reduction, as it will make it affordable for many more people. Good job Honda!
But really, this looks like a Prius (not an Insight). It's a 5 seater hatchback, and so calling it "small" is a bit out of place.
And really, except for the hatch, I don't see how it will be much different from the Civic hybrid.

All this talk about a Prius killer is silly. Hybrids (esp the Prius) are in short supply, and so pretty much any decent hybrid you make will sell.
Also, maybe it will be better than a (2004) Prius in some ways....but the Prius is getting updated later next year. Then we'll have a real comparison, and except for price, I doubt this Insight would beat the new Prius.
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Interim Solutions
written by Geoff Livingston, September 06, 2008
You guys need to cover better Place's activity more. I see this as an interim solution for a long term problem. A band aid.
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New name, same old half-ass hybrid
written by eatingorange, September 06, 2008
It's still the same sorry electric assist system that Honda has been selling in Civics for the last few years. New name, new marketing campaign. Yawn.
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The difference is obvious.
written by Me, September 07, 2008
I don't know why everyone seems to be missing the HUGE difference.

$24500 vs $18500

With that my bank account is going to look HUGE compared to buying a Prius. ;)
0
Interim Solution Pt 2
written by Jim, September 07, 2008
Again, people have been getting 60 mpg for a LONG time now. This is so weak still, I have been getting 60 mpg for a LONG time. I love Honda, but 10 mpg worse than the previous model, WTF. Anyways, try 60 mpg for $5,500. Oh yeah I drive a motorcycle.
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n/a
written by Insighter, September 20, 2008
I've been driving my Insight for 8 years now - got one of the first. It's great and I love it, but MPG only briefly reached 60 , though I think the reality number of 55 is PDG. So people and car companies and even the EPA can toss around MPGs as they will, but real people who drive in real traffic will always have to settle for less than projected estimates.
0
...
written by Insighter, September 20, 2008
PS - I miss the wheel curtains on the new model, too! And the Insight looked like a small Prius before the second generation model stole its profile.

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