Technical Specs of the 2009 Honda Insight with more Pictures

"Thanks to the January 2009 issue of Honda's official Belgian magazine, we won't have to wait until the opening of the Detroit show this weekend to learn about the new Insight Hybrid's technical specifications. Even though the magazine is in French, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to make ends-meet. First of all, as anticipated, the Insight will use the same hybrid drivetrain as the Civic IMA Hybrid combining a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 88HP (IMA: 95 PS) at 5.800 rpm and 123Nm (90 lb.ft) of torque at 4.600 with an electric motor producing 13.6 HP and 103Nm (76 lb.ft) of torque.

The hybrid drivetrain is matted to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). As with the IMA, the Insight utilizes a set of batteries to store the energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. The energy is then used to power the electric motor. Honda claims that the Insight achieves a combined fuel consumption in the European test cycle of 4.4 liters per 100 km (53.5mpg US) with CO2 emissions of only 101 g/km.

Comparatively, the Civic Hybrid consumes on average 4.6 liters per 100 km (51.3mpg US) while the soon-to-be-replaced Prius III, 4.3 liters per 100km (54.7mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 104 g/km.

The spec sheet reveals that the Insight is slightly more compact than the current Toyota Prius measuring in at 4,395 mm in length, 1,695 mm in width and 1,425 mm in height (Prius: 4,450 mm x 1,725 mm x 1,490 mm).

The Belgian Insight and, most likely, all European market models, will be available in two trims, Comfort and Elegance. From what we were able to translate from the magazine, the base model's standard equipment will include ABS, VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), airbags, 15-inch wheels, automatic climate control and a radio-CD. Enhancing to the Elegance will add Bluetooth, a parking assist system, cruise control, fog lights, heated front seats and rain sensors.

For details of the North American market Insight, we'll have to wait until January 11 when the Detroit Show opens its doors to the members of the press. Until then, enjoy the full image gallery of the Insight that has been updated with new photos."

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/01/2009-insight-hybrid-specs-slipped.html

UK Production 2009 Honda Insight Pictures

This is going to be pretty much exactly the vehicle that we recieve here in North America being that it is a new Global Hybrid. Enjoy the pic's!

Source;

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/01/2009-honda-insight-hybrid-23-new-photos.html

Hondas First Official 2009 Honda Insight Production Pic with Info

2009 Honda Insight Hybrid to Make World Debut at the North American International Auto Show

TORRANCE, Calif., U.S.A., December 3, 2008– The all-new 2009 Honda Insight hybrid will make its world debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The five-passenger, five-door Insight will go on sale in the spring of 2009.

The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 in North America - and will utilize a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™).

A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced to market the first mass produced low-emission gasoline vehicles; America's first commercially produced gas-electric hybrid car and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. In 2007, Honda was named "greenest automaker" by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.

Source;
http://world.honda.com/news/2008/4081203North-American-International-Auto-Show/