Not impressed by the sportiness of your Honda Insight hybrid? Well, let Japan’s Exclusive Zeus help you out. The Japanese tuner is offering a body kit for the Insight that offers a lowered suspension, a new front apron, side skirts, a blacked out grille, a new rear apron and a diffuser.

You also get a set of new alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile tires.

No performance upgrades are being offered, so you’re stuck with your 98-hp 1.3L SOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT transmission. However, you’ll probably still enjoy 40/43 mpg (city/highway).

Exclusive Zeus 2010 Honda Insight Body Kit:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: CarScoop

When the 2010 Honda Insight went on sale in Japan and in the U.S., the model was off to a very strong start – almost, scaring the pants off of Toyota and their third-generation Prius. However, things have started going downhill for the Insight after that. Honda had hoped to sell 90,000 units of the hybrid in its first full-year of sale; now the Japanese automaker is targeting 50,000 to 60,000 units.

Following that, Jeremy Clarkson called the new Honda hybrid “Biblically terrible” and Consumer Reports said that it was the “most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time.”

According to AutoCar, Honda is now fast-tracking upgrades to the Insight. While improving the fuel-economy of the hybrid will remain the top priority for Honda engineers, modifications to the chassis will be made as well.

Until then, let’s cross our fingers for the upcoming Honda CR-Z and Fit Hybrid.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: AutoCar

Honda’s new 2010 Insight hybrid-only model has been going head-to-head with the 2010 Toyota Prius for some time now. However, the latest review of the hybrid by the influential Consumer Reports magazine is sure to disappoint the executives in Japan.

Reviewed by David Champion, Consumer Reports said that the “Insight is the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time. Champion went on to say that the “Insight is a noisy, stiff-riding car with clumsy handling that is nothing like the Fit on which it is based. Also, Electronic Stability Control is only available on the highline EX version.”

The 2010 Honda Insight scored 54 out of a possible 100 points by Consumer Reports tests. The only car that ranks worse was the Dodge Caliber, which scored 49.

Consumer Reports recorded an average fuel-economy of 38 mpg in its tests, which compares “commendably” to the EPA-rated fuel-economy of 41 mpg.

Someone else by the name of Jeremy Clarkson once called the Insight “biblically terrible.”

Click through to read more in the press release posted after the jump.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid:

Press Release:

CR’s engineers say Insight’s 38 mpg overall fuel economy is one of its few highs

YONKERS, N.Y., June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The new Honda Insight posted a lackluster “Good” overall road-test score in Consumer Reports’ testing for the August issue. The Insight achieved an excellent 38 mpg overall in CR’s tests but fell short in ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access and visibility.

“The Insight is the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time,” said David Champion, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center. “The Insight is a noisy, stiff-riding car with clumsy handling that is nothing like the Fit on which it is based. Also, Electronic Stability Control is only available on the highline EX version.”

In a ratings chart of small hatchbacks and wagons, the Insight was rated 21st out of 22 vehicles, with a road test score of 54 points. It was followed by the Dodge Caliber, which scored 49.

Two new wagons, spin-offs of popular sedans — the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen and Hyundai Elantra Touring scored within a point of each other and received Very Good ratings, 80 and 79 respectively.

The Sportwagen, a new addition to the Jetta line, combines sound driving dynamics and more cargo and versatility than the sedan. It also imparts the feeling of a much more expensive vehicle. The Elantra Touring, also an extension to its line, is an affordable and practical vehicle with good fuel economy (26 mpg in CR’s own fuel economy tests.)

Consumer Reports tested a total of six wagons and hatchbacks in the August issue including the improved Chevrolet HHR and the Pontiac Vibe (the virtual twin of the Toyota Matrix.) The Vibe will be discontinued this August given GM’s decision to discontinue the Pontiac brand. Both the Vibe and the HHR received Very Good ratings. The test group also included the sporty Mazda3 hatchback, freshened with a new four-cylinder engine and new styling was also rated Very Good.

Prices ranged from $19,085 for the Pontiac to $24,730 for the Chevy HHR. All vehicles in the test proved to have average of better reliability in CR.

Consumer Reports also tested the Kia Soul. The Soul shares several of the same attributes of the small, boxy Scion xB, and was also rated Very Good. This is a new model so CR does not have any reliability data and cannot Recommend the Soul.

All vehicles in the test group are Recommended by Consumer Reports except for the Insight, which scored too low in CR’s tests to be Recommended and the Soul, which does not have any reliability data yet. CR only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR’s Annual Car Reliability Survey of its more than seven million print and web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

Full tests and ratings of the test group appear in the August issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale June 30. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org.

The Honda Insight seats five and gets excellent fuel economy, but it’s a noisy car with a stiff ride and clumsy handling. At its cornering limits, the Insight plows straight ahead early on in tight turns and the tail can slide out too quickly for stability control to completely prevent it. The Insight EX, ($21,790 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price as tested), is powered by a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with a 13-hp electric motor combine for 98 hp that delivers 38 mpg overall. The continuously variable transmission performs smoothly. Unlike a full hybrid, the Insight requires the gas engine to turn whenever the car is moving. Braking is Very Good. Cargo space behind the rear seats is adequate.

The wagon version of the Volkswagen Jetta combines good driving dynamics and versatility with excellent fit and finish. The Jetta SE, ($24,324, MSRP as tested), is powered by a 170-hp, 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine that delivers average performance but got only 23 mpg overall in CR’s fuel economy tests. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and has a manual-override feature. Braking is Very Good. The cargo area is very spacious and you can fold down one or both sections of the rear seatbacks.

The Elantra Touring wagon is fairly roomy and versatile, with a nicely finished interior and lots of amenities for the money. The Touring’s ride is noticeably stiffer than the sedan’s ride, with some sharp impacts. The Elantra Touring wagon, ($19,475, MSRP as tested), is powered by a 138-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers average performance and a respectable 26-mpg overall. The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and responsively. Braking is Excellent. Folding down the 60/40 seatback makes for a fairly commodious load volume.

The Mazda3 has been one of CR’s top-scoring small cars for several years, distinguished by agile handling and a good-quality interior that is laid out well. The Mazda3 had a firm, compliant ride that provided good isolation from everyday road bumps. The Mazda3 s Sport, ($20,700, MSRP as tested), is powered by a 167-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that feels smooth and refined and delivers 25 mpg overall in mixed driving. The five-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly. Braking is Very Good. Cargo space is good behind the rear seats, and when the seatbacks are lowered the hatch encloses a good-sized cargo area.

The Pontiac Vibe is versatile, fuel-efficient, and reasonably priced. The Vibe’s ride is compliant but not very steady and bumps create side-to-side rocking and even the highway ride can feel choppy. The Pontiac Vibe 1.8L, ($19,085, MSRP as tested), is powered by a 132-hp, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine that provides good performance and 24 mpg overall. The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Braking is Very Good. The rear is quite spacious. The cargo area is lined with hard plastic and small items slide around on it.

The Chevrolet HHR plays to 1950s design nostalgia but one drawback to its retro styling is the small and short windows, which inhibit the view out. Bumps are absorbed quite well, but the deep ruts and ridges come through as rubbery kicks. The Chevrolet HHR LT, ($24,730 MSRP), as tested is powered by a 172-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that provides good performance and 24 mpg overall. The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Braking is Very Good. The seatbacks fold down for generous cargo space.

With more than 7 million print and online subscribers, Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Web site; the magazine’s auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To become a subscriber, consumers can call 1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

- By: Omar Rana

We’ve been hearing all good things about the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid – it’s cheaper than the 2010 Toyota Prius, was the best-selling vehicle in Japan in April and Honda even considered increasing output for the United States market. However, according to American Honda Motor Executive Vice President John Mendel, Honda may fall short of its U.S. sales goal for the Insight by a third in the models first year.

Why? Mendel says that the recession and the cheap gasoline prices have both contributed to the matter. It seems like those Americans that don’t have money aren’t purchasing cars and those that do, are back to purchasing gas-guzzling vehicles since gas is relatively cheap.

“Given some dramatic change in things, I don’t think we’ll get to 90,000. At 50,000 to 60,000, we will be just fine,” Mendel told Bloomberg.

Honda expects to sell a total of 200,000 units of the 2010 Insight worldwide in its first full year of sales (which started in later March for the U.S.). The Japanese automaker expects half of that to come from North America.

2010 Honda Insight:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: Reuters

Toyota spent most of February tossing and turning in its sleep over competition from the new 2010 Honda Insight. Honda’s new hybrid was the best-selling model in Japan in April; marking the first time a hybrid has held the spot for a monthly sales period. Well, Toyota can now sleep peacefully at night. 

For the month of May, Toyota’s 2010 Prius sales beat the Insight, becoming the best-selling car in Japan for the month.

“I think a green car tax break and other incentives helped the sales performance (of the Prius) quite a bit,” Akihiko Otsuka, chief engineer for the new Prius, told reporters.

The 2010 Toyota Prius went on sale on May 18 and was priced about $3,000 less than the outgoing model. Toyota says there were more than 80,000 advance orders for the third-generation model. Towards the end of May, Toyota announced that it will be increasing production of the 2010 Prius to meet better-than-expected demand.

We’re guessing all the Japanese folks listened to Clarkson when he called the Honda Insight ‘Biblically terrible.’ Nonetheless, Honda is planning to have four gasoline-electric hybrids on the road by 2012 including the CR-Z hybrid and a Fit hybrid.

2010 Toyota Prius:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Reuters

The 2010 Honda Insight is the first of four gasoline-electric hybrids Honda has planned to bring to the roads by 2012. Early next year, Honda will unveil the production version of the much-anticipated CR-Z sports hybrid. That will be followed by a hybrid version of the Fit and the next-generation Civic Hybrid.

According to Japan’s Nikkei business daily, the Honda Fit subcompact hybrid will arrive in the autumn of 2010 followed by the next Civic Hybrid.

The 2010 Honda Insight hybrid, which is priced at 1.89 million yen ($19,960 USD), became the first hybrid ever to top the best-seller list in Japan in April 2009. Without citing any sources, Nikkei said that the Honda Fit Hybrid will carry a price tag of 1.5 million yen ($15,800 USD). Expected annual sales are estimated at over 50,000 units.

Spokeswoman Akemi Ando said that Honda has yet to decide on the schedule, price or sales target for the Fit Hybrid.

At this point, you guys are probably wondering what Toyota has up their sleeve to compete with the Honda Fit hybrid. As Toyota continues to fight the 2010 Honda Insight with the 2010 Toyota Prius, Toyota is also working on a hybrid version of the Yaris.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Reuters

So for what you’ve read about the Honda Insight is all bells and whistles about the hybrids fuel-economy and its ability to tell you how “green” you’re driving. However, rarely has any journalist commented on what the 2010 Honda Insight is like as a car that moves you from point A to point B – until now.

Jeremy Clarkson, host of our favorite TV show Top Gear, recently wrote a review on Honda’s latest hybrid offering over at TimesOnline. Here’s what Clarkson had to say about the Insight.

So here goes. It”s terrible. Biblically terrible. Possibly the worst new car money can buy. It”s the first car I”ve ever considered crashing into a tree, on purpose, so I didn”t have to drive it any more. The biggest problem, and it”s taken me a while to work this out, because all the other problems are so vast and so cancerous, is the gearbox. For reasons known only to itself, Honda has fitted the Insight with something called constantly variable transmission (CVT). 

You can read the rest of Clarkson review over at TimesOnline by clicking here.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid:

- By: Omar Rana

According to Japan’s Nikkei business daily, Toyota has received 75,000 orders for its new 2010 Toyota Prius. That will give it a big chance to hold its ground in a fierce battle with the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid, which reported sale figures of nearly 20,000 units in the first three months.

In March, Honda said that it will boost production of the Insight hybrid to meet demand and reach its annual goal of selling 200,000 units annually worldwide, 100,000 of which it expects to come from the United States.

The 2010 Toyota Prius will go on sale later this month with prices starting at $21,750. The 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid is on sale now with prices starting at $20,470.

2010 Toyota Prius:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Reuters

The 2010 Honda Insight hybrid, which went on sale in Japan on February 6, has been ranked the industry’s best-selling new car in Japan for the month of April. Honda sold a total of 10,481 units of the Insight, making it the first time a hybrid model has held the spot in Japan for a monthly sales period.

Honda said that its Fit was the best selling new car in Japan in 2008 and the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009. Fit was also the best-selling car in March for the fourth consecutive month until it was knocked out by the Insight.

Toyota has made it clear that it is aware of the challenges set forth with Honda’s new hybrid.

In the U.S., pricing for the 2010 Toyota Prius starts at $21,750, $1,280 more than the $20,470 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid:

- By: Kap Shah

According to a report by Japan’s Nikkei newspaper, Toyota and Honda are making an estimated profit of about ¥300,000 ($3,100 USD) on every hybrid they sell. That is pretty close to what they make on small gasoline vehicles as well.

Nikkei said that if Honda sells 200,000 units of the 2010 Insight Hybrid in the first year, the company could generate more than¥350 billion ($3.6 billion USD). Honda is estimating a gross profit margin of more than 15 percent on each Insight. The gross profit on Insight sales is projected to come around 60 billion yen ($622 million USD) in the first year (¥300,000 per unit).

The Japanese publication said that Toyota had earned a gross profit of about ¥100 billion yen (US$1 billion) on its second-generation Prius hybrid in 2008.

The 2010 Toyota Prius will go on sale this May with prices starting at $21,750. The 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid starts at $20,470.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Green Car Congress

Just two days ago, it was reported that Toyota will lower the price of the 2010 Prius in Japan to make the hybrid more competitive with the 2010 Honda Insight. Today, Honda’s CEO Takeo Fukui said that he will not lower the price on Insight anymore.

“I don’t think that would be meaningful to do so,” Fukui told Automotive News. ”I think that is something we can’t do right now,” he said. “We have to carefully examine the new Prius to know whether it is necessary for us to take certain measures.”

Dealers in Japan have said that the 2010 Prius will carry a starting price tag of 2.05 million yen ($20,750 USD).

Fukui also said that Honda is working on a hybrid drivetrain for larger cars and will abandon previous targets to rely on clean diesels in the large vehicle segment.

Next year Honda will also launch the CR-Z hybrid along with a hybrid version of the Fit.

2010 Honda Insight:

2010 Toyota Prius:

- By Omar Rana

Toyota has notified its Japanese dealers that it will price the new 2010 Toyota price at 2.05 million yen ($20,750 USD) which is right on par with the new 2010 Honda Insight. The move is Toyota’s latest response in the hybrid war between the Prius and Honda Insight.

Still, that might not be enough to entice treehuggers to go with the Prius over the Insight. Japanese dealers say that the base model of the 2010 Pius starts at 2.05 million yen ($20,750 USD) which is the same as a middle-trim Insight. The top-of-the-line 2010 Insight goes for 2.21 million yen ($22,370 USD) while the Prius runs all the way up to 3.27 million yen ($33,100 USD).

No word on whether if Toyota will make the same move in the U.S., but according to Automotive News, aggressive U.S. pricing is very likely. The 2010 Honda Insight went on sale in the U.S. in March with prices starting at $20,470. The third-generation 2010 Prius is expected to start around $24,000.

The current Toyota Prius starts at 2.331 million yen ($23,590 USD) in Japan.

2010 Toyota Prius:

2010 Honda Insight:

- By: Kap Shah

Honda is gearing up for the launch of the Insight hybrid in international markets and has released a new TV ad called “Let it Shine’ to support the hybrid’s launch in Europe and the U.S. next month.

Honda gathered up some skilled geeks to create what appears to be the world’s largest LED screen with car headlights that display sequences of dot matrix graphics that “depict the notion of good.” Animations show hugs and kisses, smiley faces and other things that make us want to go hug a tree.

‘Let it Shine’ was directed by Erik van Wyk and creative directed by Jeff Kling, John Norman and Sue Anderson. It features a bespoke recorded version of ‘This Little Light of Mine’ created by Berend Dubbe.

Click through to see the ‘Let it Shine’ TV ad.

Press Release:

Honda Shines Bright In New TV Ad To Support Affordable Hybrid Car

March 26, 2009 – Honda will debut its latest TV ad ‘Let it Shine’ in April to support the launch of its new hybrid car, the Insight. The advertisement is part of an integrated marketing campaign to work towards the company’s aim of environmental leadership across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia (EMEAR) by 2015.

The 60, 30, 20 and 15-second TV spots marks the global launch of the all-new Insight ““ the most affordable hybrid on the market ““ which aims to make cleaner car technology accessible to a wider audience. The new Insight goes on sale at the start of April in most of Europe.

The advertisement opens on what appears to be the world’s largest LED screen displaying an animated sequence of simple dot matrix graphic stories that depict the notion of ‘good’. The animations show hugs and kisses, frowns turned into smiles, and general goodwill ““ all aiming to convey people’s inherent wish to be good. As the animation plays it is slowly revealed to the viewer that it is actually being created entirely by the headlights of hundreds of Honda Insight cars. The spectacle is set to a bespoke recorded version of ‘This Little Light of Mine’ created by Berend Dubbe.

‘Let it Shine’ has been created by Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam for use across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia. The European debut of ‘Let it Shine’ takes place on March 28 in Belgium.

The campaign extends Honda’s strategy of continuing to be at the forefront in environmental technologies and communications. This new approach underpins a communications plan which will run alongside the expansion of Honda’s hybrid range with a coupe based on the CR-Z concept and a Jazz hybrid set to join the new Insight and existing Civic Hybrid in the next two years.

Chris Brown, Head of Marketing for Honda Motor Europe comments: “We would like to become the most admired company in the world, and to do this we need to have the most admired brand and communications across our region, EMEAR. This is a continuation of our journey.”

This latest campaign is truly integrated; with print, outdoor and digital in addition to TV. The theme ‘Everyone Wants to Be Good’ is incorporated throughout, as well as the iconic ‘Honda Eco’ flower – a visual cue to the ‘Eco Assist’ system within the Insight which encourages and rewards efficient driving.

In the end, although the team discovered that the idea was logistically feasible, they were concerned about the carbon footprint that a shoot of that magnitude would leave. After doing the work to see what was possible W+K and Honda made a conscious decision to look at a more environmentally friendly alternative. The result was a fusion of modelling software for animation, a small number of Insight vehicles for scale and a few hundred Insight headlights. The vehicles and headlights were precisely spaced and wired together while a specially created computer program created the two separate halves of the animations. These animation halves were subsequently married together in post-production.

This approach allowed the team to greatly reduce the carbon footprint of the shoot. To further limit carbon output they relied on vehicles already located in South Africa, grouped shipments of props and lights as much as possible, and mandated group transportation of personnel to and from shoot. For further good measure, the shoot’s carbon output that could not be prevented was entirely offset through carbon credits purchased through the Carbon-Neutral Company’s Unity Portfolio.

‘Let it Shine’ was directed by Erik van Wyk and creative directed by Jeff Kling, John Norman and Sue Anderson. It debuts across Europe in April and will be shown in 14 countries initially.

First air date is Belgium on 28th March. 

Honda’s Insight hybrid is a huge hit and Japan. Barley on sale for a week in the U.S., the Insight has becoming a big love-interest for treehuggers – so much so that Honda is already working on increasing output for the hybrid in North America.

According to Automotive News, Honda is already turning out 600 units of the Insight a day with half of them being left-hand drive units. Nonetheless, executives say that production outside of Japan is long ways off. The Honda Insight is currently rolling off the line at Honda’s Suzuka plant. Line 1, which is the only Honda line making hybrid vehicles, is also responsible for production of the Civic and the Fit.

The Honda Insight went on sale in Japan on Feb 6. and has racked up more than 21,000 orders since. That number is nearly triple Honda’s domestic sales target of 5,000 units a month.

Honda is looking to sell 200,000 units of the Insight annually, with 100,000 coming from North America.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid:

- By: Omar Rana

According to a report by Nikkei business daily, Toyota is planning to produce a new low-price hybrid aimed at Honda’s Insight that was recently launched in Japan with prices starting under 1.80 million yen (under $19,000 USD).

Honda said that 18,000 units of the Insight were ordered during its first month of sales, which is more than three times the company’s monthly target of 5,000. Of course, that was a major scare for domestic rival Toyota.

Sources say the new and cheaper Toyota hybrid will carry a smaller engine than the Prius’ 1.5 liter.

Toyota’s new gasoline-electric hybrid is expected to hit the market as early as 2011 in Japan with prices to start 20 to 30 percent below the Toyota Prius which starts at 2.33 million yen (about $23,000 USD). Insiders said that sales may expand to other markets.

Toyota’s 2010 Prius goes on sale in May with a starting price tag of 2.05 million yen (around $20,000 USD).

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Forbes

Honda has finally announced the pricing details on the new 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid. As most of you already know, power comes from a 1.3L i-VTEC engine mated to a 10-kw electric motor allowing for an EPA estimated fuel-economy of 40/43 mpg (city/highway).

The 2010 Insight will be available in three trim levels including LX, EX and EX with Navi. Starting at $19,800(plus $670 in handling and destination charges), buyers can opt for the 2010 Honda Insight LX. The Insight EX starts at $21,300 and gives you premium features like alloy wheels; cruise control; steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters; an upgraded audio system with six speakers; USB audio interface3; a center console with armrest and storage compartment; and heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals. The Insight EX with Navi will start at $23,100.

The 2010 Honda Insight goes on sale next month.

Follow the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid:

Press Release:

All-new Honda Insight Starts Under $20,000; Becomes Most Affordable New Hybrid Available in the U.S.

Insight targets entry segment as gateway to hybrid technology

The all-new 2010 Honda Insight goes on-sale March 24 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price1 (MSRP) of $19,800 for the Insight LX, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

The distinctively styled, five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) system comprised of a 1.3-liter i-VTEC® gasoline engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that together contribute to an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 40/43 miles per gallonn2. The Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™), an innovation that can further enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles.

“The all-new Honda Insight brings the cost of entry for hybrid technology within closer reach of an entirely new car-shopping audience,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “In addition to making good environmental sense, hybrid technology is now entering a new era where it can also make financial sense for a broader range of customers.”

A sleek exterior blends design elements from the original 2000 Insight’s highly aerodynamic side profile with a front-end design similar to the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity, a marquee environmental product for Honda. The interior offers a roomy passenger environment with a configurable rear seating and cargo area that benefits from 60/40 split fold-down seats.

Major features standard to the Insight LX include front, front-side and side-curtain airbags; an anti-lock braking system; a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); Eco Assist; automatic climate control; tilt and telescope steering column; manual driver’s seat height adjustment; power windows; a four-speaker AM/FM audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio input for external digital music players; and much more.

A more premium version of the Insight is also available. The Insight EX, with a MSRP of $21,300, adds to the Insight LX features with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®); alloy wheels; cruise control; steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters; an upgraded audio system with six speakers; USB audio interface3; a center console with armrest and storage compartment; heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals; and much more. Exclusively available on the Insight EX, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System4 (6.5-inch screen) with voice recognition provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7 million points of interest within the continental United States. Models equipped with the navigation system also include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® for hands-free operation of compatible mobile telephones, along with related steering wheel-mounted controls for voice activation of navigation and hands-free telephone systems.

A 4-cylinder engine with intelligent variable valve timing and a DC brushless electric motor forms the foundation of the IMA hybrid system. The electric motor, positioned in-line between the engine and the transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations, and recaptures energy from the vehicle’s forward momentum during braking (regenerative braking).

The Insight’s IMA system has the capability to operate exclusively on electric power in certain low- to mid-speed cruising conditions. It can also provide cylinder deactivation during deceleration and an idle-stop feature when the vehicle is stationary. With a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, the Insight delivers an estimated maximum driving range exceeding 400 miles. Models for sale in California and states that have adopted the California Air Resources Board (CARB) ZEV standards receive an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) emissions rating.

The Insight introduces Eco Assist to help drivers achieve improved real-world fuel economy. Eco Assist is a feature designed to help drivers optimize fuel efficiency for their given set of driving conditions. Pressing the ECON button can further enhance the efficiency of multiple vehicle systems: throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (EX only). Eco Assist also provides feedback about driving style via a 3D-appearing background within the speedometer. The background changes colors from green to blue to reflect how efficiently or inefficiently the driver is accelerating or braking (green = efficient). The driver’s results are continuously tracked as fuel-economy ratings are shown per drive cycle and on a lifetime basis in the form of plant-leaf graphics that appear in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Up to five leaves can be “˜earned’ as the driver demonstrates a fuel-efficient driving style. A real-time score is shown in the Eco Guide MID screen.

Standard safety features on all Insights include dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver’s and front-passenger’s active head restraints and a front body designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. All new Insights also feature Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, which provides improved frontal-crash compatibility between vehicles of different size and ride height.

Honda is a leader in developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, including the original Honda Insight, introduced as America’s first mass-produced hybrid car in December 1999. Honda is also a leader in the development of advanced alternatives to gasoline, including the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity fuel-cell car, the world’s most advanced production fuel-cell automobile.

2010 Honda Insight Pricing and EPA Data

Honda’s deputy chief operating officer for its domestic (meaning Japanese) operations said that the automaker plans on producing more units of the Insight Hybrid starting April. Hiroshi Kobayashi said that Honda has received almost three times its monthly target for the Insight Hybrid which went on sale in Japan on Feb. 6.

Over the next two months, the 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid will make its way to the European and North American markets. Honda plans on selling 200,000 units of the Insight globally. It expects more than half of that number to come from North America.

“The response has been overwhelming,” Kobayashi told Automotive News. “We will have to increase production plans.”

Kobayashi didn’t say how much Honda will expand output for the Insight. He said that customers in Japan who have ordered the car will have to wait at least one month. The 2010 Honda Insight costs 1.89 million yen ($19,980) in Japan.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid:

The 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid is seeing strong demand in its home market of Japan. The 1.89 million yen ($21,000 USD) went on sale in Japan on Feb. 6 and has already received more than 5,000 orders.

“This is so much better than expected. The Insight is priced below 2 million yen, and is energy efficient. We believe consumers like these aspects,” said Honda spokeswoman Natsuno Asanuma.

The 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid will make its U.S. and European debut in March. Honda plans on pricing the U.S. spec Insight right around $19,000, cheaper than the Civic Hybrid.

Powered by a 1.3 SOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT transmission and Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology, the Insight Hybrid returns an estimated 40/43 mpg (city/highway). It has a driving range of more than 400 miles on a full tank.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid:

Source: Detroit Free Press