First production photo of Honda Insight released

The 2008 Prius is also listed as 0.26 while the original Honda Insight is listed as 0.25 and the GM EV-1 is listed as 0.19.

However I question trying to correlate a FE comparison based on a singular drag coefficient (Cd) value as the Cd is not a constant but varies as a function of speed, object length, fluid density and fluid vicosity. This means that the reported numbers were all for a specific speed. It would make more sense to see an x-y plot of speed (in mph) vs Cd for each vehicle.

 

Thanks. Good stuff. Do you have a source link for this info. Did it provide any interior dimensions?

 

At least the first Insight was original looking. This one is definitely a copy job. Don't be fooled, stick with the original.

 

Honda just amazes me, All its engineering touting company slogans and comes with a Prius clone! Where is your ingenuity and Honda's design department's virtue! Where is your innovation and challenging spirit ? Just able to come out with a Wedgeir Prius !

Well, after all said, It is hard to make something different in a form than the existing Prius ,so they have to follow function, Toyota's form follows funtion theme..

I had more respect for Honda, after Mr, Soichiro Honda passed away, Honda is just another established fame mimicking Automaker..

 

The new Insight and the current Prius are different cars. The Insight is smaller and cheaper. It could be as much as $4000 cheaper base car VS base car. On top of that the NEW Prius will be even bigger and more expensive further differentiating the cars.

The Honda Insight is going to appeal to a customer that wants a cheaper and simpler car that costs under $20,000. That combination is going to sell very well! I doubt the MPG will be over 50 but think it will be close.

I think the Prius will loose very few sales to the Insight. The sales are going to be converts mostly from smaller non hybrids.

 

FULL has always meant full abilities, including propulsion with the engine motionless.

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In a sense, the Insight II may compete with 04-09 Prius. A used 04-09 Prius will give a run for it's money. If you are in the market for sub 20k hybrid, would you get a new Insight II or a used a larger Prius that gets slightly more MPG? Interesting...

 

The trouble is that up here in Canada used Prius are few and don't offer much of a discount. New '09 Prius is still about $27 MSRP. If the new Insight can offer a $20Kish price here as well then ...
In this economy I would feel much more comfortable spending around $20K then close to $30K! Even if it means giving up some size.

In general I would imagine most people leaning towards Prius. However in this present economy Insight will certainly lead in sales. At least while the tight credit and financial crisis exists.

 

Comps to new HI-II:

2009 Honda Fit Sport
Exterior Length 161.6" (-10.5")
Exterior Width 66.7" (-0.1")
Exterior Height 60.0" (+4")
Wheelbase 98 "

GenII Prius
Exterior length 175.0" (+2.9")
Exterior body width 67.9" (+1.1)
Exterior height 58.1" (+2.1")
Wheelbase 106.3

2009 HCH
Exterior length 177.3" (+5.2" and +2.3" longer that Prius?!)
Exterior body width 69.0" (+2.8")
Exterior height 56.3" (+0.3")
Wheelbase 106.3" (same as GenII Prius)


I imagine the Insight is going to be more in line with new HCH or Prius than the Fit given the length.

Source: cars.com

 

True to some extent, but not nearly to the extent they copied it. The original Insight had better Cd (0.25) and better mileage than the Prius, and looked remarkably different. It would be nice if they kept the wheel skirts, as a nod to the original and to help aerodynamics. They also don't need to use the rear side windows with the same cut-out angle in the back as the Prius, for instance. It appears they wanted something safe & recognizable, and not as daringly different as their original Insight.

About the size of it, they purposefully took the picture from ground level to make it more dramatic, which also emphasizes the grill and wheel features. The Jalopnik picture looks considerably different.

I've seen posts here where people wanted a smaller version of the Prius, not the creep up in size, power & weight, like vehicles seem to inevitably do with each revision. Since the original Insight got considerably better mpg than the Prius, it seems this smaller vehicle might do that as well, but now as a practical 4-door. Given this and the usual backlog of orders for the Prius, they might do well enough as gas prices will start to climb again.

 

Wrong. The Gen II Prius Cd is .26, the 2009 Corvette is .286 It just LOOKS sleek, but the wind tunnel knows the truth

 

Thanks for that bit of info Manuel.

I had heard the HCH II could move in EV only and nice person-U-MED that meant it could creep the long lines at stop signs. One of the many places I appreciate the Prius 'auto EV' mode. Sounds like the new Insight is a bit of a throwback if it can only do EV from 15 to 31 where the HCH II can do it up to 50. The Insight EV mode looks to be pretty much limited to flat or downhill neighborhood streets. We do have SOME 30 MPH streets around here, but not many.

 

Isnt LS 0.26 too? And its sedan...

 

I still don't like the "baleen whale feeding" look. Maybe you can get a front license plate mount the will fill part of the space. Probably doesn't need all that airflow anyway.

I'm going out on a limb here but I ASSUME the rear seats will fold. If not, no sale, just like both HCH models and the Prius 1G.

Could be a great car for your high school/college student. Not as expensive as a Prius, but similar (maybe better) mileage. They don't usually have families to cart around and their friends don't mind cramming in the rear if it means they get where they want to go.

If you are putting people who are no longer in car seats in the rear, the Prius shines.

Prius:
Headroom: 39.1/37.3
Legroom: 41.9/38.6
Shoulder: 55.0/52.9
Hiproom: 51.0/51.6

Fit:
Headroom: 40.4/39.0
Legroom: 41.3/34.5
Shoulder: 52.7/51.3
Hiproom: 51.5/51.3

HCH II:
Headroom: 39.4/37.4
Legroom: 42.2/34.6
Shoulder: 53.6/52.3
Hiproom: 51.9/51.0

 

Well, NOW it looks like a Honda! A flattened odyssey, if you will...yes, some design cues are similar to the Prius, but that front end is definitely a familiar Honda design. Somewhat disappointing, because I was looking forward to seeing something really different.

 

Actually that extra legroom is a benefit WITH carseats. I have 2 of them in my Prius and that was a big part of why I decided to buy it.

 

Well, that's the hybrid shape. Most cars are going to be adopting a similar shape.

Now....what about the interior. Will be be more like the redesigned 2010 Prius or like the current Prius? And is the cargo area of the hatchback flat to the bumper?

If so, I have no problem with it. I don't really need to seat 5. But I need a the cargo area just like the Prius and I hate the redesigned 2010 interior. So it's a 2009 Prius or wait for the Honda. If the mileage is higher than the Prius, even better.

Anyone know if it will have the CVT? That's one thing I won't give up.

 

Remember.... it's a Prius-Lite!