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Honda's new Insight looks quite familiar

In early September, DailyTech first brought you news of Honda's new Insight Concept Hybrid. With the demise of the original, two-seat Insight hybrid vehicle, the new concept marks Honda's second foray into a hybrid-only vehicle design.

Honda previously stated that Toyota's Prius gained fame and huge sales numbers due to its unique shape compared to other vehicles on the road. Honda's Civic Hybrid is often overlooked because of its plebian styling which is shared with the standard Civic -- the new Insight aims to change this, however.

Unfortunately for Honda, aerodynamics play a huge part in designing an ultra-fuel efficient vehicle, so the new Insight looks remarkably similar in its overall design theme to the already slippery Toyota Prius. This detail was noticed by many when the first pictures of the Insight were released, but was further confirmed when new shots showing the rear of the vehicle were revealed.

The new Insight is also very close in external dimensions to the Prius and is within three inches in all directions.

Honda confirmed that the production Insight will use a 1.3-liter gasoline engine paired with a next generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. Honda cost-reduced its latest IMA design in order to bring the Insight to the U.S. with a sub-$19,000 price tag. For comparison, Toyota's Prius starts at over $21,000.

Other new information revealed at the Paris Auto Show is that the new Insight will have fuel economy ratings identical to the Honda Civic Hybrid – 40 MPG city, 45 MPG highway (for comparison, a Prius gets 45/48). The identical fuel economy ratings to the Civic Hybrid with its more conventional shape, however, may raise some eyebrows as to the efficiency of the Insight’s aerodynamic shape.

Honda expects to sell 200,000 of its next generation Insight globally each year. 

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I refuse to believe
By Choppedliver on 10/3/2008 9:12:47 AM , Rating: 2
... that aerodynamic shape and aesthetically pleasing are mutually exclusive. This car is ugly. And so is the Toyota it copies.




RE: I refuse to believe
By pauldovi on 10/3/2008 9:19:37 AM , Rating: 5
That is what everyone said when the 2006 Civic came out. Seems to be as popular as ever as the #1 selling car in the US.


RE: I refuse to believe
By mmntech on 10/3/2008 10:27:48 AM , Rating: 2
I still prefer my 2005 Civic even if it is pedestrian looking. The newer one is an acquired taste though. It's certainly not Honda's ugliest car. What about the Element. That thing is actually uglier inside than it is outside.

This car looks like they've merged the Civic with the Prius. It has the same back that the Prius has but it has the sleek body of the new Civic models. People (yuppies) like the Prius because it looks like a hybrid. I think that's why Honda has copied its design. Besides, most consumer cars look vary similar to each other anyway and at least this one is slightly less ugly than the original Insight.


RE: I refuse to believe
By Hare on 10/4/2008 4:34:52 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
People (yuppies) like the Prius because it looks like a hybrid.
Who knew. I always thought that genuine and wannabe eco-people bought hybrids and yuppies drove BMWs or Audis.


RE: I refuse to believe
By quiksilvr on 10/4/2008 3:42:15 PM , Rating: 1
Yuppies drive BMWs and Mercedes. Audi's are kinda that in-between car that says "I am arrogant but have enough sense not to destroy my wallet just to prove a point. People that drive Lamborghini or Ferrari's are uber yuppies that are not only extremely arrogant but are in desperate need for some tang. Porshe's are that in-between car from yuppies to uber yuppies that says "I am arrogant but not really desperate for that high quality tang." Hybrid buyers consist of two type of people: a person that is a wannabe eco-person that wants to show the world "hey look at me I'm helping the planet". Mac people tend to fall under this category as well. The second type of person is someone that just doesn't feel like spending that much money on gas anymore and realizes that despite the higher price tag, in the long run it saves money.


RE: I refuse to believe
By AssBall on 10/4/2008 5:13:30 PM , Rating: 4
What does your super special judgemental discerning ass drive? A Cobalt? An Aveo? A Suzuki? Smart Four-Two?

Some people like to drive Mercs and BMW because they are built well and they drive excellently. If that makes them yuppies because you are jealous that they can afford them, that'd be a personal problem.


RE: I refuse to believe
By quiksilvr on 10/5/08, Rating: 0
RE: I refuse to believe
By slunkius on 10/6/2008 12:40:21 AM , Rating: 3
but you conveniently ignored his question and proceeded to insult him. that makes you an a$$


RE: I refuse to believe
By afkrotch on 10/6/2008 9:16:28 AM , Rating: 2
Mercedes and BMWs are not built as well as a Japanese car, but they do drive well. That is, when you don't find one broken down along the autobahn. The ppl I see driving them are older and rarely make use of the engine under the hood, if at all. They are the kind of cars I end up passing by at 180 kph along the autobahn and I know those Mercs and BMWs can easily do higher than that. I've just got a 96 Opel Tigra. Not here long enough to bother getting something better.

When I'm no longer moving around the world, I'll settle down on getting a 99 Impreza 2.5RS and going for a Group N conversion.


RE: I refuse to believe
By ebakke on 10/4/08, Rating: 0
RE: I refuse to believe
By ebakke on 10/4/2008 11:17:41 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
The second type of person is someone that just doesn't feel like spending that much money on gas anymore and realizes that despite the higher price tag, in the long run it saves money.

In the long run it might save money. Assuming: gas continues to rise in price, you drive a lot (>10,000 miles per year), you don't get in an accident, you don't sell the car, the maintenance costs are comparable, and you couldn't make any profit/interest on the money you would've saved by buying the non-hybrid.


RE: I refuse to believe
By Hare on 10/5/2008 4:50:24 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Yuppies drive BMWs and Mercedes. Audi's are kinda that in-between car that says "I am arrogant but have enough sense not to destroy my wallet just to prove a point.

BMWs are generally cheaper than Audis at this side of the pond. Oh, and old geezers drive Mercedes excluding SLK and CLK models ;)


RE: I refuse to believe
By togaman5000 on 10/4/2008 6:56:39 PM , Rating: 3
Yuppies? My mom drives a Prius, as she truly does want to reduce her emissions. As for being a yuppie, well, she's an elementary school teacher who makes under $40,000 a year, despite having a requisite master's degree. Personally I wouldn't classify that as yuppie, and all that stereotype is doing is reinforcing a particular South Park episode.


RE: I refuse to believe
By michael2k on 10/3/2008 10:23:22 AM , Rating: 2
You have to wait for computers to get faster; compare the original Stealth Bomber to today's Raptor.

So in 10 years you will see aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing... but not today.


RE: I refuse to believe
By Spuke on 10/3/2008 11:29:10 AM , Rating: 2
This is true, the Infiniti G37 has a CD of .30. The Prius is .29. I could not find the frontal area of the G37 although I thought I found that before. The "old" G35 has the same CD and is VERY close in frontal area as the Prius. I do know that G37 has a larger frontal area than the old G35.

So, yes, a car can be pretty and still be aerodynamically sleek.


RE: I refuse to believe
By usbseawolf2000 on 10/3/2008 12:08:59 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
The Prius is .29.

Prius has 0.26 Cd. There is only one other production vehicle that beats it but only on the highway. That car is Lexus LS430 with air suspension which lowers itself on the highway achieving 0.25 Cd.

FYI, the original Insight got 0.25 Cd with the ugly rear wheel skirts but it is no longer in production.


RE: I refuse to believe
By monomer on 10/3/2008 12:11:20 PM , Rating: 2
Actually, probably more interesting is the G35 Sedan which has a CD of 0.29, and has the advantage that it comes with rear seats in which someone would actually want to sit in. You do give up some of the looks, but it does prove your point that the Prius style is not the only choice.


RE: I refuse to believe
By usbseawolf2000 on 10/3/2008 12:40:22 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
more interesting is the G35 Sedan which has a CD of 0.29

That's nothing interesting because even the Camry gets 0.27 Cd.

quote:
has the advantage that it comes with rear seats in which someone would actually want to sit in.

Have you ever been in the Prius rear seat?

G35 Rear Leg Room: 34.7 in.
Prius Rear Leg Room: 38.6 in.


RE: I refuse to believe
By monomer on 10/3/2008 1:21:26 PM , Rating: 1
Well, the original post was that you could have a good looking car, and still keep a low CD. While the Camry isn't bad looking, I doubt it would win any beauty pageants, while in my opinion the G37 and G35 are a couple of the best looking cars on the road.

As for the rear seat, I was comparing the G35 to the G37. Yes the Prius has alot more leg room, but at least the G35 is tolerable compared to the G37.


RE: I refuse to believe
By usbseawolf2000 on 10/3/2008 1:58:14 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
Well, the original post was that you could have a good looking car, and still keep a low CD.... in my opinion the G37 and G35 are a couple of the best looking cars on the road.

Looks are subjective but most people judge the look by the rims and tires. Prius with 15" rims becomes ugly instantly to most eyes.

I have 17" rims on my Prius and I think it is the best looking car on the road and has low aerodynamic 0.26 Cd.

Some pics:

http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/prius-modi...
http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/prius-modi...
http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/prius-modi...