France: Honda Insight concept world premiere at Paris show
By: Glenn Brooks, Friday, September 05, 2008, AutomotiveWorld.com
The second Honda model to be badged 'Insight' will have its world premiere as a pre-production prototype at the Paris motor show on 2 October. This five-door hatchback, will, like the first Insight, be a dedicated gasoline-electric hybrid model but this time, the model is being targeted at the Toyota Prius.
Honda has revealed only the one image and very few facts of the Insight concept. The vehicle will be able to seat five and is claimed to be on a new platform in which the battery and control unit are located beneath the boot.
As with the Prius, Civic Hybrid, the discontinued Accord Hybrid and the previous Insight, the latter a three-door hatchback that was discontinued after six years of sales that were somewhat less than brisk, the concept's gasoline engine is the main power source. An electric motor assists when extra power is needed, such as during passing or start-up and acceleration.
The company claims that the hybrid system itself is now significantly cheaper to manufacture, without explaining how this has been achieved, and states that component weight has also been reduced.
Honda plans to introduce the production version of the all-new Insight to markets in Europe and North America as well as Japan in spring 2009. It projects annual global sales of 200,000 units.
A spokesman for Honda Motor Europe has revealed to AutomotiveWorld.com that the Insight will be built at the Suzuka plant in Japan. This is a contrast to Toyota's strategy, which has moved to begin production of the next Prius in the US, whilst retaining some build in the home market.
Published on Friday, September 05, 2008
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