Despite Honda's attempts to keep a tight lipped on any information concerning the new Insight hybrid sedan, a set of scans from the official Japanese market model brochure have been leaked online, two weeks before the car's worldwide premiere at the Detroit motorshow on 11th January. Honda had released a three-quarter front shot of the production version but the brochure scans give us our first glimpse of the 2009 Insight's more conservatively styled rear-end along with the hybrid's interior which remains for the most part unchanged compared to the Insight concept.
The brochure that was uploaded on the Honda enthusiast site also reveals a picture of the Insight Modulo. Modulo is the name Honda gives to altered versions of factory-designed cars. The accessorised Insight features a sporty bodykit with a front spoiler that incorporates an extra set of fog lights, side skirts, a rear apron and larger alloy wheels. The JDM Insight will be offered in three trim levels, G, L and LS.
Another site posted a more detailed article with plenty of data sourced from an unnamed Japanese car magazine that supposedly gathered the information from a product preview meeting for Honda dealers in Japan.
As for the information that Honda has verified up until now, the production Insight will be equipped with a mild hybrid powertrain developed from the one found in the Civic IMA, combining an electric motor with a small displacement petrol engine and a CVT gearbox. The Insight will go on sale worldwide in the Spring 2009 with UK prices expected to start at a mere £15,000. U.S prices are said to start from less than $20,000. The U.S market is predicted to snap up 50% of all vehicles. In Europe, Honda has said the UK market will be the largest Insight market.
G Specification:
Ecological Drive Assist System
Multi-information display
Climate control
Projector-style headlights
Remote-control body-coluored door mirrors
Tinted rear windows
Security alarm w/Immobiliser
15-inch steel wheels
Solar-heat-reducing/noise-reducing glass
Active front headrests
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel adjustment
Height adjustable front seats
Three rear headrests
Puncture repair kit
The L model adds:
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with automatic lamps
Turn signals integrated in door mirrors
Leather steering wheel
Rear speakers
Front/rear armrests
Variable-speed windsreen wiper
Map light and luggage-area light
Drivers side seat back pocket
The LS model adds:
16-inch aluminum wheels
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
Front fog lights
7-speed paddle shifters
Sun-shade tinted windscreen
Optional accessories:
Satillite navigation system with 7-inch screen and hard disk drive (this system may also display additional fuel economy information and in Japan it may include a TV tuner and ECT, an electronic motorway toll payment system etc)
Honda smart key system
Curtain airbags
15-inch aluminum wheel for L grade
High-intensity discharge headlights (HID)
Comfort view package plus rear window wiper
Body colour options:
Spectrum While Pearl (also a Civic hybrid colour)
Milano Red (also a CR-V and Civic colour)
Premium Deep Violet Pearl (also a Jazz colour)
Crystal Black Pearl (also an CR-V, Accord, Civic, and Jazz/Fit colour)
Polished metal metallic (also an Accord and Civic colour)
Alabaster Silver metallic (also an Accord and Civic colour)
Brilliant Sky metallic (also a Jazz colour)
Interior colour options:
Blue
Warm gray
Other data:
Length - 4390 mm
Width - 1695 mm
Height - 1425 mm
Wheelbase - 2550 mm
Weight - 1180kg
Minimum turning radius: 16.4 feet
Engine type: inline 1339 cc SOHC 4-cylinder
Engine generates 88 brake-horsepower @5800rpm and 12.3 kgm torque @4500rpm
IMA motor generates 14 brake-horsepower @1500rpm and 9.4 kgm torque @500rpm
Japanese 10.15 mode fuel consumption test: 30.0 kilometres per litre (which is greater than 70 mpg)