Dedicated hybrid-powered nameplate has been revived featuring sleek body style and two-motor setup.
Hmm, it looks quite familiar…
The Insight nameplate has been revived by Honda and will be used in a third-generation model with a slightly different approach than the two predecessors. It will make its world debut at next month’s Detroit motor show in concept (prototype in Honda speak) form.
The first is the design. These teaser pics issued by Honda of the new Insight might be a little murky, but they do provide clear proof that its appearance now comes closer to other models currently on sale including the Civic and redesigned Accord (launched in the US already but not in Thailand yet).
While the front end of the Insight apes that of the Accord, the side profile looks similar to the Civic’s. While the first-gen Insight was an aero-friendly two-seater, the direct successor was a five-door hatchback.
Honda hasn’t mentioned what the Insight is based on but only says that it is revolved around a “spacious five-seater”. It’s most likely that the Insight is the size of the Civic.
The interior, as seen in the accompanying sketches, mixes elements found in both the Civic and Accord. The gear knob, for one, is of the button type.
And what does it operate?
Honda only says that the Insight will feature a “two-motor hybrid”, unlike its ancestors using a less complex, single-motor variation called IMA (Integrated Motor Assist).
Although this kind of electrification is already used in today’s Accord Hybrid (and the pending CR-V Hybrid), it’s yet to be confirmed whether the basic petrol engine in the Insight will be a 2.0-litre unit.
Some media outlets in the US are suggesting that the Insight may adopt a smaller petrol engine. Such a strategy would help Honda position the Insight below the Accord Hybrid.
In fact, the existing Civic hasn’t spawned a hybrid model like in the previous generation, so the Insight may fill its role in showrooms and serve as a rival for the Toyota Prius.
Will it come to Thailand?
It’s too early to tell, even if Honda’s is committing itself to electrification in the long run (it earlier announced that two-thirds of global cars sold by 2030 will have some type of electrification). The Insight is set to make production by late 2018 practically unaltered from the show car.
The Thai Honda office has sold some hybrid-powered models in the past but not exactly to success. While the Accord Hybrid managed to win hearts of less price-sensitive buyers in Thailand, the Civic Hybrid and Jazz Hybrid sold in very small numbers due to prices topping their respective model ranges.
This is why it may still be too early to sell (and build) hybrid-powered cars in Thailand with dedicated body parts like the Insight.
Toyota, for one, has stopped building the Prius at its Thai factory and is now shifting its focus to the hybrid-equipped C-HR. The flashy SUV can be made in larger numbers because there’s also a price-leading version powered by a conventional 1.8-litre petrol engine.
