2009 Honda Insight hybrid. Click image to enlarge

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2009 Honda Insight hybrid

Detroit, Michigan – The all-new 2010 Honda Insight hybrid has made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Using the latest generation of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology, the Insight is expected to have a fuel economy rating of approximately 5.8 L/100 km in the city, and 5.5 L/100 km on the highway.

The Insight will be launched throughout the U.S. in the beginning of April 2009, and will be priced below the Civic Hybrid.

“Honda hybrids have always offered great value, high fuel efficiency, and a healthy dose of fun near the middle price range in the Honda lineup,” said John Mendel, executive vice-president of American Honda. “With the introduction of the all-new Insight, we’re opening up Honda’s fun-to-drive, versatile and fuel-efficient hybrid technology to an entirely new group of buyers that previously may not have considered a hybrid, because of either image or cost.”

With styling based on the FCX Clarity fuel cell car, the Insight is a four-door hatchback with spacious five-passenger cabin. A new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology, called Ecological Drive Assist System, includes a driver-activated ECON mode to optimize control of the CVT, engine and powertrain components to further improve fuel efficiency, a speedometer display with changing background colours to provide real-time guidance for more fuel-efficient driving, and a plant-leaf graphic to display current trip and lifetime fuel efficiency.

The Insight uses a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine and CVT, along with a 10 kW electric motor and Intelligent Power Unit. The battery and power unit are package in the vehicle’s rear floor, to allow for a 60/40 split-folding rear seatback.