Leaked documentation offers a few early Insight hints
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Dec 29th 2008 at 12:01PM 
Click above for more shots of the leaked 2009 Honda Insight brochure
With the Detroit Auto Show right around the corner, we won't have to wait that much longer before Honda spills all the details of its second-generation Insight hybrid, but that doesn't mean we aren't keenly interested in whatever tidbits leak out before its official unveiling. According to what appears to be a Japanese brochure for the new Insight, three models will be available along with a Modulo model, which is JDM Honda-speak for a factory customized rendition. The three standard trims in Japan appear to be G, L and LS, though we'd expect something more like DX, LX and EX in the US.
In addition to the leaked brochure, Insightman is offering some speculative information that includes standard features and options lists, including available colors. We hope to see some of these highlights on US Insights, especially the 7-speed paddle shifters for the CVT automatic transmission and navigation system with 7-inch screen. As far as the all-important fuel economy data, the Insight reportedly scores over 70 mpg under Japanese testing procedures, which is less than the 83 mpg the Prius manages under the same tests. On the flip side, the Insight will undercut the Prius by several thousand dollars when it finally goes on sale sometime in 2009.
[Sources: Temple of VTec, Insightman via Carscoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gordio 1:40PM (12/29/2008)
Sounds good. HIDs at L trim, and 7 speed @ the top of the line trim. I still prefer manual tranny though..but that disadvantage might be compesnated for from the CVT's lack of a shift shock.
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brandon 2:03PM (12/29/2008)
why in the world would anyone want 7-speed paddle shifters for a CVT. Doesn't "shifting" a CVT defeat the entire purpose. Why stop at 7, its a CVT so you could have 8 gears or even 12. How dumb.
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MikeW 4:26PM (12/29/2008)
A manumatic interface to the CVT is better than the D S L selector that Honda currently give you.
noz 4:26PM (12/29/2008)
Would you drive a car with 1 gear?
Chris M 11:55PM (12/29/2008)
I had the same thought. A 7 speed paddle shifter would only be used with a 7 speed transmission. A CVT tranny would only have P R N D and maybe L on its shifter.
noz 12:46PM (12/30/2008)
There are no 7 speeds in a CVT...they are electronically programmed in to give the driver perceived gearing...like the Nissan CVTs. It's purely to give most drivers the feeling that they are driving a regular car.
Most people don't like change.
Gordio 1:16PM (12/30/2008)
It's seven "virtual" gears. CVT is not "one gear" it's "infinite gears".
The seven virtual gears are just seven defined gear ratios. they could have had 6, 10,200 gears, but they just chose 7
brandon 1:48PM (12/30/2008)
I understand the "virtual" gears thing. My comment was that giving people these "virtual" gears is stupid and has no purpose. "Shifting" a slushbox is stupid enough, but "shifting" a CVT is the height of stupidity. Letting people be stupid by giving them 7 "speeds" is not a feature.
Sasparilla 3:02PM (12/29/2008)
I'd have to say that the mileage (if it really is 15% lower than the current old Prius) is a major disappointment - this would make it worse than the bigger Civic Hybrid I believe. This would put it down in the territory of the Fusion Hybrid (a much bigger, heavier car). Time will tell I suppose. The Prius rolling out this spring is on line for a ~10-15% mileage increase over the current model.
I like the design, as it looks great, but Honda needs to deliver on good mileage (maybe this is just Honda sandbagging everyone with false mileage data before roll out). Honda is good at playing very coy about stuff till the roll out.
As for the paddle shifters and 7 speeds for them in a car with a CVT - 90% of the people who buy this car won't know what a CVT is (even when you explain what the abbreviation means), they're used to a "regular" car and if you have the option to click the paddle's to control the shifting (I'm sure it's a "Performance" mode the user can turn on etc.) it'll be a cool, high end item, to them - simple as that. The point about it being superfluous with a CVT is well taken in reality though.
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Throwback 4:16PM (12/29/2008)
You are correct about the 7 speed CVT, which Honda offers on the JDM Fit. Most people do not know how a CVT works. By advertising the car as a 7 speed CVT the average buyer will be able to relate that to their current car's 4-5 speed trasnmission. "look honey the Honda has 7 speeds it must be better".
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noz 4:27PM (12/29/2008)
Let's hope they offer more than these pedestrian looking rims....the rims make this car.
And different colored body panels should be included like they were in the concept....
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ziv 5:53PM (12/29/2008)
If the Insight gets 85% of the Prius city mileage, it will be at, or just under, the 41 mpg that it sounds like the Focus Hybrid will be getting. The Focus is roomier, though, admittedly, much more expensive.
Kudos to Ford, and to Honda, for getting us more good options!
More, please!
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Rookie60 1:21AM (12/30/2008)
The Honda Civic hybrid is rated at 40 city, 45 highway, 42 combined. The Insight is smaller and more aerodynamic. I would certainly hope the Insight would get better mileage. It would seem stupid for Honda to come out with a new car that could not beat the old Civic Hybrid.
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Gordio 1:21PM (12/30/2008)
Remember the goal of the insight is to make the most affordable hybrid. Most of the R&D was to make the hybrid machinery lighter and cheaper, even at the cost of potentially greater mileage.
Rookie60 1:56PM (12/30/2008)
I realize that the idea "may" be to make an affordable hybrid. However, the main goal of ANY hybrid is better mileage. I am sure Honda's goal was not to make a cheap hybrid. Their goal was to make a higher mileage hybrid. If I wanted lower mileage, I might as well by a Civic or a Fit. The new Insight HAS TO HAVE GREAT MILEAGE. Otherwise, why buy it?
Snowdog 5:47PM (12/31/2008)
Honda stated in a press event that the goal was to get essentially the same MPG as the civic hybrid at a lower entry price.
I read this in several places, this is not news. Prius remains the MPG champ.
Price is the main selling point here and the only reason you would buy this over the Prius with its superior HSD system.
But don't discount price as a big sales advantage. Honda may have a winner here when gas prices go back up.
rookie60 11:50AM (1/01/2009)
What is the HSD system??
I know what the IMA system is. I have ordered a car and I don't know all about it yet. I know the Prius will still be the mileage champ. The cars are both very similar in looks. Personally, I prefer the Insight dash over the Prius. That was one of the main reasons. I can't stand the instruments being in the middle of the dash. The Prius is geared for city driving with its electrical system. The Insight will be geared more for highway. I am curious how both cars would compare on a long highway trip.
Snowdog 5:11PM (1/01/2009)
HSD is Hybrid Synergy Drive. Toyotas system.
It is a very slick piece of tech. Instead of a transmission, it has two electric motors and a orbital gears, that enables them to easily drive only on electric power.
It has two advantages over the Honda system.
1: Driving the wheels without turning the engine.
2: Elimination of the transmission.
MPG will probably be close on the highway still may be a slight edge for the Prius, but probably not enough to matter.
ambush 3:19AM (1/04/2009)
I have an 85 rx7, it makes about 100 horsepower, but its not slow, its a rwd coupe.
rookie60 12:55PM (1/04/2009)
I own a 2003 Corvette. Fun car to drive. Amazing acceration. However, the most fun car I ever drove was a Mazda Miata convertible with a 6-speed trans. I drove it around a rural winding road. Up-shifting and down-shifting constantly. What a blast. When I am in traffic and want to scoot out of the pack, nothing is more fun than my Vette. This just means that a lot of people have their own fun cars, no matter what the size or horsepower.