Revealed: Honda Insight Hybrid

It was nearly nine years ago when Honda brought its innovative Insight gasoline-electric hybrid to U.S. highways, beating Toyota to the punch with a North American hybrid model by mere months. It seems that Honda is aiming at the same kind of publicity coup again with its all new Insight hybrid concept vehicle that just debuted at the Paris Motor Show.

Today, even as hybrid fans are salivating over rumors about what Toyota's all-new 2010 Prius will be like, Honda is reaping the benefits of sharing earlier what it has in mind for its new small hybrid to be introduced in the 2010 model year. The actual production model debut will follow in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

As many know, the original two-seat Insight model was discontinued several years ago. Its modest sales were a reflection of the extremely limited market for two-seat cars of any kind, thus Honda's decision to discontinue the car after seven model years. Bringing it back as a more accommodating five-passenger model and capitalizing on the equity of the Insight name is a smart move.

While production models can vary significantly from the concepts that often precede them, we expect the Insight production car to be substantially similar to the concept that's just been shown in Paris. The concept does, after all, continue the design language of the Honda FCX Clarity, and the Clarity limited production model emerged little changed from the FCX concept that came before it. It's simply logical that the Insight would continue these new and innovative Honda styling cues.

While we're on the subject of styling, though, we feel this must be said: Is it just us ... or from certain angles does the Insight concept bear an uncanny resemblance to the Prius and its distinctive roofline as shown above? Just thought we'd mention it.

The Insight hybrid's positioning is simple and effective, with the model intended to offer fuel economy similar to that of the Civic Hybrid but at a significantly cheaper price. That will be achieved in part with a hybrid system that's reduced in size and weight compared to its predecessors, with improved production efficiencies that help cut cost. Honda says the new Insight's hybrid system will use a 1.3-liter gasoline engine and efficient electric motor. A newly developed platform integrates the car's control unit and battery beneath the cargo space.

As you can see from the all-new Insight concept photos, the model has evolved nicely from the original high-tech, yet too small, 2000-2006 Insight two-seater shown above. According to Honda, the production Insight will go on sale in North America, Europe, and Japan in spring 2009. Global sales are expected to be 200,000 units, with 100,000 of these in North America.