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Honda Global Small Hybrid spy shots!

P

Pandaren

Golden Member
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=776084

From the pictures it looks like the car is about the same size as a Prius. Note the Accord-like 6-point grille, alloy wheels, and turn signals mounted on the rear view mirrors.

The resemblance to the FCX Clarity and Prius is pretty clear. I believe that this is likely the natural result of designing a car for aerodynamic efficiency.

If its as fun to drive as other Hondas I would consider buying one. I really like hatchback/wagon type cars, but Honda doesn't currently have one that I want. The Fit is too small and the CR-V is too big. This one just might be right 🙂
 
I don't like it all. I don't like the sloped hatchback look of the Prius. I like the hatch to be tall on the back like a wagon.

I was hoping the small hybrid would be a Fit.
 
Originally posted by: Jumpem
I don't like it all. I don't like the sloped hatchback look of the Prius. I like the hatch to be tall on the back like a wagon.

I was hoping the small hybrid would be a Fit.
Click to expand...

Like the OP said, aerodynamics win out, we are talking about efficiency after all.
 
According to leftlanenews.com thats the new honda insight, scheduled for release next year, at "insane" mpg and at a cost of 19k
 
Originally posted by: CptCrunch
According to leftlanenews.com thats the new honda insight, scheduled for release next year, at "insane" mpg and at a cost of 19k
Click to expand...

You beat me to it.

2010 Honda Insight

Doesn't look enough like the original to me, and I seriously doubt it will beat the mileage of the original 1800 lb aluminum design.
 
Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
Originally posted by: CptCrunch
According to leftlanenews.com thats the new honda insight, scheduled for release next year, at "insane" mpg and at a cost of 19k
Click to expand...

You beat me to it.

2010 Honda Insight

Doesn't look enough like the original to me, and I seriously doubt it will beat the mileage of the original 1800 lb aluminum design.
Click to expand...

i dont know about the mileage, the tech has come along way since then, but the weight will definitely be up (due to safety requirements). Odd though, that this is the first time I have heard of Honda re-launching the Insight and yet it is suppose to be released next year. If it is something worth wild, i might trade in the fiancee's ford taurus (hate that thing) for this
 
Originally posted by: CptCrunch
Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
Originally posted by: CptCrunch
According to leftlanenews.com thats the new honda insight, scheduled for release next year, at "insane" mpg and at a cost of 19k
Click to expand...

You beat me to it.

2010 Honda Insight

Doesn't look enough like the original to me, and I seriously doubt it will beat the mileage of the original 1800 lb aluminum design.
Click to expand...

i dont know about the mileage, the tech has come along way since then, but the weight will definitely be up (due to safety requirements). Odd though, that this is the first time I have heard of Honda re-launching the Insight and yet it is suppose to be released next year. If it is something worth wild, i might trade in the fiancee's ford taurus (hate that thing) for this
Click to expand...

The whole safety argument is bull, the Insight (Aluminum frame and chassis) has a 4 star crash rating. The weight is due to steel construction and being a 4 seater. Nonetheless I expect lower mileage, even with higher tech, though it may beat the Prius.
 
Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
The whole safety argument is bull, the Insight (Aluminum frame and chassis) has a 4 star crash rating. The weight is due to steel construction and being a 4 seater. Nonetheless I expect lower mileage, even with higher tech, though it may beat the Prius.
Click to expand...

I hear this sort of thing all the time. It's wrong. NHTSA Star ratings are only valid for comparison between vehicles that are both in the same class, and within 250 pounds of each other in weight. The "4-Star" rating of a 1,800 pound two-seater is NOT equivalent to the "4-Star" rating of a 3,500 pound sedan. Not even close.

From the NHTSA's own website:

Frontal crash rating results can only be compared to other vehicles in the same class and whose weight is plus or minus 250 lbs of the vehicle being rated. This is so because a frontal crash rating into a fixed barrier represents a crash between two vehicles of the same weight. Examples:

* It would not be permissible to compare the frontal crash results of a 4,500 lb SUV with those of a 3,000 sedan (different classes and exceeds the weight requirement).
* It would not be permissible to compare the frontal crash results of a 3,600 lb pickup with those of a 3,400 lb van (meets the weight requirement, but different classes).
* It would be correct to compare the frontal crash results of a 3,400 lb passenger car with a 3650 lb passenger car (same class and meets the weight requirement).
Click to expand...

ZV
 
I'm glad they're bring the insight back, but I was hoping they would maintain more of the spirit of the original. I acknowledge that this vehicle has a much broader appeal is more useful for your average family. Still, I would have liked to see a two seater no compromise mileage machine from them again...in addition to this.

Yeah, I think the tear drop inspired design is a might bit homely as well...but since I don't really like the look of any cars anyway, I'll take the design with better mileage. And it still looks better then the toyota prius...although they both look a bit like mini aztecs. 😛
 
Originally posted by: LTC8K6
The grill screams Ford...

Wonder what it actually is?
Click to expand...

The Ford grille is 3 wide chrome bars. Example: Ford Fusion

In contrast, the new Honda grille consists of 3 narrow black bars. Example: Honda Accord

If you look at the Honda FCX, and compare it to the spy shots of the new Hybrid, you can see that the new Hybrid appears to be built on the same platform and body style as the FCX. I think the Hybrid is a bit shorter. Some of the spy shots also show a 2-tier dash that looks like the FCX dash.
 
Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
Like the OP said, aerodynamics win out, we are talking about efficiency after all.
Click to expand...

I want efficiency, but not to the point of stifling practicality. That's why I like my Fit.. it gets good mileage, but can still fit large items with ease.
 
Edit: Two people beat me with the link already. 🙂

More shots at leftlanenews.com

One Honda insider told Edmunds the Insight?s fuel economy would be ?insane,? with some Japanese sources predicting mileage as high as 71 mpg. Actual mileage will likely be lower when it hits our shores, but should still be impressive. And if those lofty fuel-economy numbers weren?t enough to cause an instant waiting list for the new hybrid, the next-generation Insight could list from as little as $19,000 ? undercutting the Toyota Prius by thousands of dollars.
Click to expand...

You can see that they went to lengths to camouflage it to look like a Prius, probably to avoid spy shots like these. Look at the tape over the side windows to mimic the plastic covers on the Prius, the panels on the rear quarter panels to hide that the Honda likely has more inward curve, and those Toyota-style wheels. And the obvious fact that they were driving it alongside a Prius!

But since the Prius already has excellent aerodynamics and still maintains decent practicality, it will be no surprise if the final shape is very similar. Toyota did their homework on the 2nd-gen Prius.

I could see replacing our Accords with one of these for practicality and a CR-Z, if they bring it to the States.
 
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Edit: Two people beat me with the link already. 🙂

More shots at leftlanenews.com

One Honda insider told Edmunds the Insight?s fuel economy would be ?insane,? with some Japanese sources predicting mileage as high as 71 mpg. Actual mileage will likely be lower when it hits our shores, but should still be impressive. And if those lofty fuel-economy numbers weren?t enough to cause an instant waiting list for the new hybrid, the next-generation Insight could list from as little as $19,000 ? undercutting the Toyota Prius by thousands of dollars.
Click to expand...

You can see that they went to lengths to camouflage it to look like a Prius, probably to avoid spy shots like these. Look at the tape over the side windows to mimic the plastic covers on the Prius, the panels on the rear quarter panels to hide that the Honda likely has more inward curve, and those Toyota-style wheels. And the obvious fact that they were driving it alongside a Prius!

But since the Prius already has excellent aerodynamics and still maintains decent practicality, it will be no surprise if the final shape is very similar. Toyota did their homework on the 2nd-gen Prius.

I could see replacing our Accords with one of these for practicality and a CR-Z, if they bring it to the States.
Click to expand...

The CR-Z is very interesting to me, if they send it here, and if my Maxima can make it another year.
 
Originally posted by: SearchMaster

The CR-Z is very interesting to me, if they send it here, and if my Maxima can make it another year.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it is the first car that has come along where I can realistically see myself putting down a deposit on a waiting list before even driving the car. If it fulfills even half of its intended purpose, it will still be a great car for me.

Originally posted by: Jumpem
I was hoping the small hybrid would be a Fit.
Click to expand...

The Fit Hybrid has been promised and is planned to arrive in another couple of years. Seems like they are staggering out the models, probably to avoid over-saturation of the hybrid market.
 
Originally posted by: Jumpem
I don't like it all. I don't like the sloped hatchback look of the Prius. I like the hatch to be tall on the back like a wagon.

I was hoping the small hybrid would be a Fit.
Click to expand...

A square hatch back is a lot less aerodynamic than a sloped hatch. With the slope you get most of the utility of a wagon, with the best aerodynamics possible
 
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
A square hatch back is a lot less aerodynamic than a sloped hatch. With the slope you get most of the utility of a wagon, with the best aerodynamics possible
Click to expand...

You can't fit large boxes in the back of something like a Prius where the hatch slopes all the way down to the bumper. I'd rather give one or two mpg for the utility.
 
Originally posted by: Squisher
Who knew that the designers of the Pontiac Aztek were really geniuses, far ahead of their time?
Click to expand...

Only they took a basically good aero design, then tacked on a roof rack (drag), side plastic covers and protrusions (drag), SUV tires (high rolling resistance = drag), and put it in a 4,000 lb vehicle. My mom had one and the best mileage she ever saw was 22 mpg highway, she now drives a Prius and gets 55mpg +
 
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