These are the first official photos of the next generation Honda Insight – unofficially dubbed the Insight 2. Today it’s just in concept form, but prototypes have been spotted around – Honda is building this vehicle. ETA on the new Insight is early 2009 – just a few short months away. Enough jabber, what about the car?
You can see a few very distinct influences when you look at the 09 Insight. First and foremost, it’s Prius – shaped. No doubt about it, Honda looked to Toyota’s super hybrid for inspiration. The front end looks like a mix between the FCX CLarity and the Ford Fusion. For what it’s worth, I hate the look of the Prius. The Insight 2? Looks fantastic.
The price is right
Honda’s stated goal is to bring the Insight 2 to market for right around the $18,500 price point. That’s way less than a Civic Hybrid, and quite a bit less than the Prius. Usually prices get inflated a bit before the debt, and I doubt the Insight will be an exception. But if Honda can keep the base MSRP under $20,000, and MPG above 50 MPG – their goal of 200k units per year will be in the bag. Can you say price gouging and waiting lists?
I wouldn’t pay over MSRP, but I’ll consider one of these when it comes out. It’ll sure as heck give the Prius a run for it’s money.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Eh….I think it will take a while for this car to grow on me. I agree, that Prius look is a real turn off.
It didn’t take very long for this car to grow on me. If Honda puts some marketing dollars behind the Insight 2, they’ll sell as many as they can build, no problemo.
Don’t get me wrong it’s going to be a great car..it’s just me as a young adult the looks, especially the grill and that lip just doesn’t settle with me. But I agree with you, they will have no problem selling the Insight2 since Honda caught on to that idea when their Fit sales took off, you could barely get one because they couldn’t make em fast enough.
Now that hybrid sports car on the second picture one the left next to the FCX the white CRZ. Now that looks sharp, and it’s also a coupe plus it get it appeals to the younger generation. So out of those three I’ll take the white CRZ.
This is going to be good because they are not only targeting families but young people who want a green without the econobox appeal. GO HONDA GO!!!!!!!