The Honda Insight is to return in 2018 with a hybrid powertrain, as Honda revives its Toyota Prius rival for the US market.
A full suite of images image accompanies Honda’s announcement, showing that the car will take a more conventional saloon shape than its more Prius-like high-reared predecessor.
The front will adopt Honda’s aggressive new styling, with a metallic strip running the width of the front, tying in with Honda’s other US models.
2018 Honda Insight hybrid prototype revealed
For its third generation, the Insight will not be sold in the UK, but the IMA - Integrated Motor Assist – system will find its way into later UK cars such as the CR-V due in 2018, as well as future hybrids, as Honda continues its push for electrification.
Where previous hybrids have been compromised by their electrification, the new Insight will be “a great car in its own right, independent of what’s happening under the hood”, said Honda’s American boss, Henio Arcangeli.
“The all-new Insight embodies Honda's approach to creating electrified vehicles without the typical tradeoffs.”
Honda’s original Insight in 1999 was rated the most fuel-efficient petrol car certified by the EPA at the time. Honda has not yet announced how fuel-efficient the next Insight will be, but Arcangeli described the car as having “best-in-class performance”, suggesting it may be more frugal than its rivals.
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Looks smart
It's not a revolutionary design, but its smart and cohesive which is a big step in the right direction for Honda. Lets hope it drives well.
Profile reminds me of either
Profile reminds me of either a mazda 6 or kia optima, not sure which or why.
Looks rather bland. Honda's
Looks rather bland. Honda's styling is just awful these days. You either get this, or the gawky Civic.