New Honda Insight sighted
Next-generation twin-motor Honda hybrid unveiled, but is unlikely for Australian marketRemember the Honda Insight? An aerodynamic marvel complete with rear wheel panels, it first hit the scene in the late 1990s as a direct rival for the Toyota Prius.
Since then the Honda Insight has been through several generations, but was terminated globally and in Australia during 2014.
But now it's back!
Honda's North American arm has just revealed a bunch of teaser images of a new Honda Insight prototype vehicle, which will make its global debut at the 2018 Detroit motor show in January.
It will be launched in the USA in the second half of 2018 but don't get your hopes up about an Australian release.
Once a hybrid leader, Honda has only one hybrid available in Australia at present, and it costs $420,000 before on-road costs. Indeed, the NSX supercar remains the sole hybrid in Honda Australia's range after it killed off its hybrid program in 2016.
There is a new hybrid version of the Honda CR-V but even this strong-selling model is unlikely to be offered locally.
"Globally we're big on alternative fuel vehicles, but there's no updates for the local range," said a Honda Australia spokesperson in response to questions concerning its hybrid plans in this country.
The new Honda Insight will be built in the USA to offer customers "premium style and high fuel efficiency in a sophisticated and spacious five-passenger sedan", according to a press statement.
Details on its updated hybrid powertrain have not been divulged but the car-maker says the 2019 Honda Insight is "unlike the first two generations of Insight" in that it will take advantage of two-motor hybrid system.
Buyers seeking to lower their carbon emissions will also be keenly awaiting the Japanese company's first mainstream EV, the city-savvy Honda Urban EV.
This small car will go on sale overseas in 2019 and is expected to have a battery-electric range of 300km and a low price point.
However, given Honda’s reluctance to offer electrified vehicles in Australia, it remains to be seen whether this ground-breaking EV will be available here.
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