Honda’s new-generation of affordable, family hybrids will be led by the latest all-new Insight which will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. Set to go on sale in Spring next year, the Insight will take the ‘green’ battle straight to Toyota’s Prius.
First used on Honda’s debut hybrid in 1999, the rebirth of the Insight name signals the Japanese manufacturer’s determination to grab the initiative in the next step of educating the car-buying public about the affordability of hybrid technology.
Despite the groundbreaking technology incorporated into the new Insight, the car will start around £15,000, significantly lower than any rival hybrid on the market, dramatically undercutting the premium price of the Prius by £3000. Such is Honda’s belief in the new car that it believes global sales will hit a massive 200,000 a year.
Takeo Fukui, president of Honda, said he believes the new Insight will ”break new ground by providing an affordable hybrid to an expanded number of customers craving great fuel economy and great value”. While the Insight shares some of the styling touches of the hydrogen fuel cell-powered FCX Clarity, the family car uses a new and improved version of Honda’s IMA hybrid drive. Though full details will not be confirmed until its unveiling in Paris, it’s likely to be mated to a revised version of the 113bhp, 1.4-litre iVTEC engine with an ultra-efficient hybrid powertrain. Expect fuel economy figures in excess of 80mpg with CO2 emissions of around 80g/k.
Honda still has major doubts about the reliability and safety of the more modern lithium-ion batteries, so they won’t be fitted to the Insight. However, Honda’s decision to use more conventional nickel metal hydride units has helped cut costs.
The Insight is the first in a family of bespoke hybrids from Honda and is based on a new platform, which the sportier CR-Z – previewed in concept form at the 2007 Tokyo motor show – is likely to share. Within the next three years, an incredibly efficient Jazz hybrid is also likely to be launched.
The Insight is expected to be a vital big-selling car for Honda UK when it arrives early next year but, not surprisingly, 50% of the new Insight's sales are expected to be in America.
