Comments on: Europeans Get Fresh Insight into Honda Insight

By: Landcrusher

Landcrusher — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:31:40 +0000

Ya, what happened to the Clarity? This thing really is a prius clone.

By: Rev Junkie

Rev Junkie — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:09:54 +0000

They should have added some cues from the svelte FCX Clarity, instead of using tracing paper over a Prius and adding some horizontal headlamps and a different grille. The Prius is much more handsome now that it ditched the dopey vertical headlamps that gave it a sort of smiley face when combined with the slit of an eggcrate grille it had. And the new Prius has a cool looking cockpit that clearly divides the passenger and driver’s sides. The original Insight was so mind blowingly different to all other cars that this Prius wannabe shouldn’t carry the Insight moniker. Seeing how it copies the previous-gen Prius, it should logically be called the Hindsight.

By: RedStapler

RedStapler — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:36:09 +0000

CoffeeJones

All you need is the HAL computer voice: “Sorry Dave, you are driving too fast”.

By: CoffeeJones

CoffeeJones — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:41:26 +0000

@Casual Observer
If so, the green police are now laying guilt on us in real time. We’re doomed.

It goes from green to blue to orange to red to an icon of a baby penguin on a melting iceberg.

By: CoffeeJones

CoffeeJones — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:34:53 +0000

There are only so many ways to make a car with low drag that will seat four, have decent cargo capacity, and can be produced for under $20k.

I’m all for a real Prius fighter.

I assume that Civic-esque speed indicator turns red when you floor it.
As for the indicator being digital, which is controversial , it’s the tach that’s undergoing the most movement and that’s what is getting the majority of my attention on the dash.

By: TEXN3

TEXN3 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:18:09 +0000

@ dean: I think that is because the front plate is required in all EU countries and most mainstream automakers design the car with that in mind, and thus show consumers the most final product. Of course this is thrown out with many niche automakers, there was a rant about this regarding Aston Martin front design in the December EVO magazine. A front plate with brackets end up messing the lovely design.

By: David Holzman

David Holzman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:06:43 +0000

It’s obviously a Honda, and except in broad outline, doesn’t look like a Prius to me. To my eye, it’s much more attractive.

By: Casual Observer

Casual Observer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:57:05 +0000

Does that light on the speedo indicate how “green” you are driving?

If so, the green police are now laying guilt on us in real time. We’re doomed.

By: Orian

Orian — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:10:36 +0000

The Prius shape is there in the roofline, but that’s to be expected for aerodynamics. Airplane manufacturers don’t sue each other over wings have the same general shape. If you look at the Volt they’ve been dragging around it has some of the same Prius line in the roof too, but GM uses better body lines and windows to mask it and make it look better.

This car seems to have more rear overhang than the Prius, although the butt looks very similar with some queues from the previous Insight.

By: bjcpdx

bjcpdx — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:08:50 +0000

I’m surprised that Carscoop! didn’t include any interior shots. If anyone wants to see the interior and loadspace, go to Honda.com.

By: dean

dean — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:02:05 +0000

It’s odd how the brochure pics have a front number plate on them. You never see front plates in advertising here.

And if this car looked any more like a Prius, Toyota would have to sue.