The all-new 2010 Honda Insight hybrid car made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show. Honda's mass production hybrid will be launched worldwide in the beginning of April 2009 and will be priced in the States below the Civic Hybrid that starts from $23,650. Utilizing the same mild-hybrid system as the Civic IMA, the Insight is powered by a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
The Insight's IMA system incorporates a 10-kilowatt (13 hp) electric motor and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) that recaptures and stores kinetic energy from vehicle braking and deceleration, supplying additional power for acceleration when needed. The combined output of the petrol and electric engine is 98HP - significantly less than the Prius' 134HP.
Honda's new dedicated hybrid also loses from the Prius -on the papers at least- in terms of fuel efficiency achieving a combined EPA rating of 41 mpg US compared to Toyota's gen-III Prius 50 mpg. According to Honda, with a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, the Insight delivers an estimated maximum driving range in excess of 400 miles.
However, bear in mind that these are EPA estimates plus, the price difference between the two hybrid models may mean that in the long run, the Insight could prove more cost efficient.
Now that we've seen the whole picture, and despite the fact that the Prius is no beauty queen, we find the Insight's design more bland and with less character. The interior on the other hand, though over-loaded and somewhat complicated, has that futuristic look that one would expect from a dedicated hybrid model.
