Leakage: Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight
by Damon Lavrinc on Jan 5th 2009 at 7:01PM 
Click above for a gallery of the Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight
We're still six days away from the official unveiling of the 2009 Honda Insight at the Detroit Auto Show, but the crew at Carscoop just couldn't wait to release images of the European-spec hybrid ahead of its debut.
The Euro model shown here won't differ too much from the U.S. version, but the stylistic differences between the production version and its conceptual predecessor are obvious at first glance. As we've seen before, the front fascia carries over largely unchanged, although the technorific LED headlamps, deeply recessed fog lamps/air intakes and gaudy brightwork are all left on the designer's desk. The side mirrors have grown in proportion to the door handles, and the C-pillar is noticeably thicker than the concept that bowed in Paris. The rear has also been smoothed over, with the Prius-esque (or is that CRX-inspired?) hatch losing a bit of glass, along with the contoured cut-out for the license plate, which is now mounted lower on the bumper, with a prominent "H" badge floating on a body-colored panel.
Although the interior hasn't been revealed in full, we get a brief glimpse of the central-mounted tach, "eco" gauges and second tier speedo, which benefits from a backlight that transitions from green to blue when the driver mashes the accelerator and unleashes the full fury of the small-displacement engine through the CVT gearbox.
Sales will begin in the U.S. and abroad this spring, with a starting price rumored to hover around $20,000.
Gallery: 2009 Honda Insight (Euro)
[Source: Carscoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Michael 7:05PM (1/05/2009)
Wow, it's... ugly.
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homunculus 8:28PM (1/05/2009)
uninspired? bland? i can go with those, but ugly? i'd hardly call this ugly. i think the design is pure.
CarbonBlack 9:48PM (1/05/2009)
Ugly?
Take a look at the Prius, and then look back at this.
After doing that, the looks really good (comparatively speaking).
Max 10:19PM (1/05/2009)
Yeah, in comparison to the concept car, it's a lot uglier. I thought the concept was looking pretty sharp..too bad the had to blandize it.
Side mirrors have become huge --> Huge air drag, why??
happy_penguin 10:22PM (1/05/2009)
Next to a Prius it's beautiful.
BoneHeadOtto 11:57PM (1/05/2009)
yeah next to the current Prius it may be beautiful but the new one is not too bad looking. Dont get me wrong i hate th lights on the new one but the little bit of sculpting they did on the new one makes it look better. The problem is that Honda just got our hopes up with the concept then gave us that. I want my insight with the glowing grill and the black rimmed tail lights.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/paris-08-honda-insight-concept-1/1069598/
CH 5:25AM (1/06/2009)
@Max
European legislation...
I think there is a new law in the pipeline for this or next year, requiring that the side mirrors are to be bigger in size.
Autblogist! 7:07PM (1/05/2009)
Introducing the new Honda.............................PRIUS!
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chconline 7:10PM (1/05/2009)
Yet another ignorant comment. This is one of the best shapes for maximum aerodynamic in this segment. It is not copyrighted by Toyota nor is it similar to the Prius other than the base shape.
Joce03 7:55PM (1/05/2009)
Actually, its not an ignorant comment - the new Insight does look like a Prius and it gives the impression that Honda are trying to copy the Prius. And although, yes it is an aerodynamic shape, its not like these cars will be going 200 mph. I'd rather lose 1 mpg and have an original looking car!
JZeke 8:16PM (1/05/2009)
I like this alot more than the Prius, its clear that the Honda designers were trying to capture a bit more stance and aggression with the surfacing than Toyota achieved.
While the "it looks like a" comments are correct due to the gross similarities in DLO and overall proportion, I think Honda has delivered the better looking of the two.
As for the interior, if the leaked shots are anything to go by it will be a full light year ahead of the Prius in terms of design and appeal.
Carlos 8:21PM (1/05/2009)
Actually, considering where he Prius is going designwise I really don't think it's such a bad idea to copy the current design. I think alot of people are going to run to this familiar shape instead of taking a chance with what Toyota has coming down the pipeline.
CarbonBlack 9:55PM (1/05/2009)
chconline,
The shape of the Prius's shape isn't very slippery (compared to other shapes).
Saying "This is one of the best shapes for maximum aerodynamic in this segment" isn't really true.
If you look around, you get the impression they could have done better (even for a sedan).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_drag_coefficients
chconline 11:01AM (1/06/2009)
Remember that the total drag is the drag coefficient by the car's frontal area.
The shape that the Prius uses (Forgot the name) is one of the more aerodynamic shapes while maximizing interior room which the latter I forgot to mention earlier. There's just so many ways to design a car -- for example, most trucks, minivans, etc has the same basic look, yet rarely anyone say "omg Ford copied Dodge in the F-150!!!!".
chconline 7:08PM (1/05/2009)
Not bad, it's actually pretty decent looking for a dedicated hybrid vehicle. Now it's all about the actual fuel economy numbers.
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RLQ 7:18PM (1/05/2009)
Toyota called and wanted its Prius back.
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Red 8:02PM (1/05/2009)
Honda called Toyota first and politely asked for its first gen
Insight and CR-X back.
The ignorance of some of these comments is truly astounding.
caddy-v 10:39PM (1/05/2009)
Aztec called and laughed it's muffler off. He never thought having sex with a citroen would bring about the Prius and Insight twins.
Dave 7:10PM (1/05/2009)
Is that the next-gen prius?
Nah, but really. So many people drive a hybrid for the image, and no image is more associated with hybrids than a prius. So good design, even if it's not exciting or original.
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happy_penguin 10:42PM (1/05/2009)
The styling cues look nothing like a Prius, however that tail lamp appears to be lifted directly from a current generation Impala.