Click here for a high-res picture of the 2010 Honda Insight.

12/03/2008 - TORRANCE, Calif. -

The all-new 2009 Honda Insight hybrid will make its world debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The five-passenger, five-door Insight will go on sale in the spring of 2009.

The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 in North America - and will utilize a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™).

A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced to market the first mass produced low-emission gasoline vehicles; America's first commercially produced gas-electric hybrid car and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. In 2007, Honda was named "greenest automaker" by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.

But that's not all these new images tell us. If we take a closer look at the rest of the dash, it looks like the Insight will share design cues with its Euro Civic cousin and offer such features as a USB aux audio input, a CD/MP3/WMA disc drive and an overall simple control scheme. What we don't know is what the heck an "S" means in the PRNDL cadence. What the heck does "PRNDSL" mean? Park, reverse, neutral, drive, second and low? Probably, but we're holding out for a "Superamazing" gear.

NEW INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY HELPS DRIVERS MAXIMISE FUEL ECONOMY
Dashboard display encourages and rewards greener driving styles

Honda has announced a new Ecological Drive Assist System to help drivers achieve better fuel economy. The technology will feature on the new Insight family hybrid car, which goes on sale in spring 2009.

It will be the world’s first system to combine three different functions to enhance fuel economy: an ECON Mode which controls engine, transmission and other powertrain components to support more fuel-efficient driving; a guidance function that helps drivers become more fuel efficient behind the wheel using the colour of the speedometer display; and a scoring function that provides instant and long term feedback on driving techniques, after each journey.

Honda developed the Ecological Drive Assist System to help its customers improve their fuel economy in real world conditions. The scoring function provides cumulative, long-term feedback through graphic ‘leaves’, which ‘grow’ over time as drivers learn and then implement a smooth driving style that boosts fuel economy. The visual nature of the scoring function display makes it easy and enjoyable for drivers to improve the efficiency of their driving skills over time.

“Hybrid technology delivers great fuel economy and low emissions, but these can both be affected by driving style,” says John Kingston, Government Affairs and Environment Manager at Honda (UK). “This new package encourages greener, more efficient driving, in a fun and engaging way.”

The technology will further boost the appeal of the Insight, which is due to hit UK showrooms in the spring next year. Honda has already announced that the 5-door family car will be significantly lower in price to any other hybrid on the market, making petrol-electric technology accessible to more people.

A production version of Insight will be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show, in January 2009.

To learn more about Honda’s Ecological Drive Assist System and the new Honda Insight, please visit: http://www.insightecon.co.uk

Key features of the Ecological Drive Assist System

1. ECON Mode
By pushing an ECON button on the dashboard, drivers can engage ECON mode to support more fuel efficient driving.

As well as controlling the engine, CVT and other powertrain components, ECON Mode also adjusts the air conditioning unit, extends idle stop time and increases regenerative recharging during deceleration to enhance the fuel efficiency of the Insight.

2. Guidance function
The main part of the guidance function is an ambient meter in the form of a background colour behind the speedometer display that changes to indicate real time fuel consumption.

The ambient meter displays a green colour when fuel-efficient driving is being achieved: a blue-green colour when relatively fuel-efficient driving is being achieved with smooth acceleration and deceleration; and a blue colour during heavy fuel consumption.

The ambient meter makes the driver aware of real-time fuel consumption patterns, and encourages the driver to be more fuel efficient, while trying to maintain the green colour display.

The Ambient Meter is the world’s first technology of its kind that encourages environmentally-responsible driving by responding to braking practices as well as acceleration.

3. Scoring function
The aim of the scoring function is to engage drivers in more fuel efficient driving, and encourage them to develop a more environmentally-responsible driving style.

The scoring function is located within the Multi-Information-Display, in the centre of the instrument panel. This part of the Ecological Drive Assist System uses graphics of tree leaves to ‘score’ the fuel-efficiency of the driver’s performance.

While the ignition switch is turned on, the display shows a score reflecting the real time driving performance.

When the ignition switch is turned off, the ‘leaves’ in the top row display a score for the journey just completed, while a horizontal bar in the bottom row of the display gives a ‘lifetime score’ that represents cumulative lifetime performance.

The Multi-Information Display also allows drivers to view fuel economy figures for the past three trips, as well as instantaneous and average fuel economy statistics.

When the technology debuts in the Insight in the spring, it will be the world’s first function of its kind to provide real-time and post-trip assessments of the impact of driving habits on fuel economy.

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This new Honda Insight concept borrows more from modern Honda hybrids than it does from its namesake, one of the first hybrids available for sale in the US. Despite that early availability, the early car was only a two seater, wasn't particularly speedy at the on-ramp, and lacked certain creature comforts modern car buyers expect, hybrid or not. With this latest iteration, all of those complains are vanquished, with a full five passenger seating capacity, a large cargo area, and as many creature comforts as you want to check on the options list.

Will the new Honda Insight be the one to bring some real competition to the dedicated hybrid market? We're tending to think yes. However, we'll have to wait till its biggest direct competitor, the redesigned 210 Toyota Prius, drops at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Honda Introduces All-New Insight Dedicated Hybrid Concept Vehicle at Paris Motor Show

PARIS, France, October 2, 2008—Honda Motor Co., Ltd. presented the concept model of its all-new Insight dedicated hybrid vehicle scheduled to be introduced in 2009, at the 2008 Paris Motor Show (October 2–19; Press Days: October 2–3).

Based on a theme of achieving dynamic performance through excellent aerodynamics, the exterior design of the Insight concept model combines excellent environmental performance and a fun to drive spirit. The compact Insight Concept measures 4,375 mm (172.2 in.) in length, 1,695 mm (66.7 in.) in width, and 1,425 mm (56.1 in.) in height, with specially designed, ultra-light aluminum wheels and 205/40 R18 tires. With a cockpit that enables the driver to experience the joy of driving, the interior of the Insight Concept provides an advanced and futuristic feeling that is possible only through a hybrid vehicle.

The all-new Insight, which will be developed based on this Insight Concept, will be a five-door, five-passenger hatchback equipped with Honda’s lightweight and compact hybrid system, with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine serving as the main power source, assisted by an electric motor. While achieving fuel economy on par with the Civic Hybrid, the new Insight will also achieve excellent utility and light and comfortable driving through the adoption of a new platform developed specifically for this vehicle. Honda will begin sales of the all-new Insight in Japan, Europe and North America in spring 2009, and projects annual global sales of 200,000 units.

In his speech at the Paris Motor Show, Honda Motor president & CEO Takeo Fukui said, “This new Insight will give more people the chance to get behind the wheel of a high quality hybrid vehicle only Honda can develop.”

The name Insight was chosen to denote that this new vehicle provides "insight" into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers.

Reed says he's been getting up to 60 miles on a gallon of gas while driving around suburban Houston and this is the first time since the Hurricane, which struck late Friday night, that he's gone to the gas station. He still had half a tank, but this particular gas station recently reopened and the line was therefore not as long as it had previously been. Though drivers in large trucks physically look down on Reed, he claims that, for the most part, people are merely curious about the vehicle. His entire family drives hybrids so they're doing better than many in the area. Unfortunately, he's been living in hard-hit Galveston and has no idea whether or not any of his possessions survived.

Difference #1: Instead of going with the stylized T, as on the Prius, the new Insight has a very defined H above the grille. This is a difference of 11 letter positions in the alphabet and a sign that Honda is the true Maverick in this race.

Difference #2: The Toyota Prius is very noticeable from the rear because of its squarer clear taillights housing red LED lights. The engineers from Honda have focused on a more angular look for their clear taillights with red LED lights.

Difference #3: Honda stepped out with some fairly trick split five-spoke wheels that look much hotter than the boring seven-spoke Prius design. We're not sure if these will make it from concept to reality.

Difference #4: The Prius has been faulted for its bland nose and utilitarian look, which Honda has countered with a more Honda CRZ-inspired front; it's more dramatic, modern and captivating in its vanilla quasi-Dave look. The design makes the new Insight look like a more expensive car than the Prius.

Difference #5: Toyota engineers love boxes and Honda deviated wildly from this path by introducing a round fuel access cover. That's change you can not only believe in, but it's change that signals the outside-the-box thinking you've come to expect from Honda.

Difference #6: As opposed to headlights that wrap upwards from a sharply curving grille, the Insight's lights curve outward from a sharply curving grille. It's so different — like apples and pears.

Difference #7: One of the features that differentiates the Prius from other cars on the road, visually, is that little window behind the A-pillar and ahead of the mirrors. The low belt-line of both of these cars necessitates such a move but Honda hides it, using a cheater panel aft of the mirror and a supporting strip behind the mirror. It's a smart design change that'll really help separate it from the crowd.

So there you have it — two totally different vehicles. No matter what your eyes tell you.

No matter how much they claim otherwise, hybrid buyers like to wear their green credentials on their sleeves. That's the beauty of the Prius: It can scream "green" without being covered with badging like the Tahoe Hybrid. It's smugness lies in its subtlety. So how can Honda rip off the Prius design while still producing a unique design? We're not sure, but if the artist's rendering on Hybrid Cars is anything remotely like the finished product, they apparently can't. [HybridCars.com]

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: Considering the Honda hybrid will be coming in a whopping $3,000 less than the base Prius and will wear the depreciation-proof Honda badge, we're betting the number one super-best automaker from the land of the rising sun will be redoubling efforts on its 2010 Toyota Prius. Within three years, we'll be looking at volume sales of high-mileage offerings from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and GM, among others. A crowded market will mean good times for hybrid lovers (and lots of leftover 2010 Camaros for the rest of us). [NextEnergyNews]

We just caught Honda's hybrid-only model that's designed to take on the Toyota Prius. The shape and packaging of this prototype is clearly Prius-inspired, although the overall size looks larger than Toyota's hybrid favorite. The test group consisted of a Toyota Prius, Honda's facelifted Civic Hybrid, and this prototype, which is sure to be considered the top of Honda's hybrid vehicle range.

So, what do we think? Well, it looks a bit like a bulked-up Prius. Maybe the Honda's doing push-ups out there in the desert. However it's gotten that big, we're assuming because of the uncanny resemblance, it'll help sales.

Worst thing is, we don't even have a name for it, so feel free to tell us what you think they should call it in the comments below.

It works by combining the tried and true lead-acid battery with supercapacitors. These UltraBatteries are capable of quickly charging and releasing energy over millions upon millions of cycles, with little to no battery degeneration. A Honda Insight outfitted with an UltraBattery completed a 100,000 mile track test in Britain, running on the battery alone. In addition to the increased lifespan, the batteries reportedly provide 50-percent more power and are 70-percent cheaper than the current nickel metal-hydride batteries used in hybrids and other electric vehicles.

If you want to put on your Negative Nancy cap, one downside is that the battery pack added an additional 37 pounds to the curb weight of the Insight. That UltraBattery must be one huge biotch. [Autopia]

Thule Trail includes many mini-games and scenarios that real-life cross-country road trippers will encounter like hitchhikers, prostitutes, dice games, hunting for food and more. It just reminds me of the days hunting and killing 999 pounds worth of buffalo, but only being able to carry 50 and being scolded for being wasteful, then getting dysentery and blaming karma for letting my daughter drown while crossing the river. Maybe this can help you enjoy the rest of your workday. [Thule Trail via Kotaku]

A new dedicated hybrid is on the way from Honda, reports Autocar, first in concept form then for production in 2008. It's not exactly a surprise — Honda's CEO Takeo Fukui announced recently an economy-minded hybrid would be launched by decade's end. The new gas-electric model would replace the company's Insight, which was the world's first series hybrid — despite that Prius is Latin for "before" (pretty tricky, Mr. Toyota). Nonetheless, a prototype will likely be unveiled at the Geneva auto show in March. The yet-unnamed model is expected to be cheaper than a Prius, at least in the UK. – Mike Spinelli

Honda readies second Insight [Autocar]

Related:
Takeo That! Honda Announces Product Plan for Rest of Decade [internal]

When we had our old Acura Legend, we were addicted to its fuel-economy display. We generally averaged around 21 mpg, which included a 33-mile Walnut Creek-to-San Francisco commute that was 2/3 open freeway and 1/3 brutal congestion (hello, MacArthur Maze and Bay Bridge). On a trip from Portland back down the East Bay, we were running low on gasoline coming down out of the Cascades. The meter showed that we were gaining miles to empty, prompting our friend Brett to exclaim, "This is the best car ever! It actually makes gas!" Wayne Gedes also got hooked on eking fuel economy out of an Acura — in this case, his wife's MDX.

And post-9/11, he made a commitment to use as little fuel as possible, exploring techniques and acronyms that have earned him the title "King of the Hypermilers." We've been known to compare our hairball run from Ozona, TX to Sacramento, CA in an overloaded Durango with a misfire towing an improperly-loaded trailer as some sort of low-speed 24 Heueres du Mans. At one point, we planned to fill up in a town where all of the gas stations were closed. And then we had to climb a mountain. Our tags were out of date, so if a cop pulled over to assist, we were toast. The trailer was our only shield. We had to make it to the top of the mountain, where sweet, nourishing petroleum and caffeine awaited us. And we did, just barely. But it was literally 20 minutes of the most nail-biting, sign-of-the-cross-making, RPM-counting, Blarney-stone tonguing, rabbit-rabbit-on-the-first driving we've ever done. And we've engaged in some rather hairball extralegal stuff over the years.

Hypermiling is all about strategery. And according to this bit in Mother Jones, nobody's better at it than Wayne. We doff our cap to his brilliant 180mpg performance. [Thanks to the Mighty Thnderblt for the tip.] – Davey G. Johnson

This Guy Can Get 59 MPG in a Plain Old Accord. Beat That, Punk [Mother Jones]

Related:
Honda Accord Hybrid Gets Price Increase, Mileage Decrease [Internal]

Nigerian boy genius and motorsports engineer, 'Bisi Ezerioha brought what we've dubbed the Most Unlikliest Dragster to SEMA. The MENSA member's 9.8-second Honda Insight is an odd duck among its fellow Honda import competitors on the IDRA, IDRC and NHRA circuits. But under the hood, the hybrid drivetrain been swapped with a SOHC Honda mill. Maybe his next one will get proper Ben Franklin power — not that the race series boys would allow it.

Getting Bisi [Performance Auto & Sound]

Related:
Honda Kills The Insight — Tens Mourn [internal]

To us, the most compelling reason to buy a Prius is the ability to use it in California's carpool lanes without having to carry the requisite passenger or two. Apparently, nearly 75,000 other folks think so, too, as the state of California has announced that no more of the HOV-free-ride passes will be handed out to owners of Insights, Prii and Civic Hybrids. In a year (the program started last August 10th), 74,108 have been issued. The legislature may consider another carpool-lane bonanza for hybrid drivers if the Department of Transportation concludes they haven't clogged up the the lanes with single-occupant, gas/electric vehicles. [Thanks to Scott for the tip.

California issued nearly all car pool permits for hybrid drivers [Sacramento Bee]

Toyota Eyes California for Prius Production [Internal]

Honda Kills the Insight [AutoWeek via Cars!Cars!Cars!]

Related:
Breaking! More Insight On Honda's Expansion Plans [internal]