Honda already planning to upgrade the Insight Hybrid! Toyota Prius in danger?

Responding to the threat posed by the entry of the new Toyota Prius, Honda is fast-tracking to upgrade the Insight to close the gap in terms of performance. With the Prius now trumping the Insight’s 85mpg with 107mpg in the same Japanese test cycle, Honda engineers are knocking their heads together to improve the Insight.

First on the list is economy, followed by an adjustment of the chassis to refine the Insight’s unsettled low-speed ride. Sales in Japan for the Insight rose to an unprecedented height in April when it sold 10,481 units, becoming the top seller — the first hybrid car to achieve that in Japan. However, things took a different turn when the new Prius arrived in May. Sales of the Insight dropped to 8,183 units.
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WorldofLuxury - 7/22/2009 3:23:45 PM

0 Boost

I think it had to be upgraded in the first place because it wasn't as comfortable as the Prius and the interior was a result of cost saving. Despite the Prius being much more sophisticated car than the Insight, Toyota managed to lower its price to the point where the Insight is a complete ripoff.

Anyways... I just don't get why Honda feels like it is forced to resort to making the car sporty for the US market. Their customers want comfort.
It's not like all the S2000 and Civic tuners are suddenly going to pimp their Insights.

ghosthunter - 7/22/2009 5:49:21 PM

+4 Boost

is that why germans are investing heavily in electric/gas Hybirds?

lexworld - 7/22/2009 6:42:39 PM

-2 Boost

-tryme what a bias statement. When those buyers out there go looking for a fuel sipping hybrid with 50+mpg ratings they only have one choice...the Prius. The insight was almost a flop! Honda should not try to do the same thing Hyundai is trying...trying to out wit Toyota. Remember this! If you try to challenge Toyota straight up you'll get embarrased and probably lose money while you are at it.

Maulvader - 7/22/2009 7:00:19 PM

+3 Boost

How do they measure the mileage over there. Top Gear had a "75mpg Jaguar", You're talking of a 107mpg Prius.

WHERE THE HELL ARE THESE CARS!!!

Bmw8ter - 7/22/2009 9:14:07 PM

+3 Boost

European cycle.

Bmw8ter - 7/22/2009 9:22:25 PM

+3 Boost

I should have elaborated: 3.8L-gal.(U.S. and elsewhere) vs. 4.5L-gal.(U.K. & elsewhere). There's no point in delving deeper into "why". It only gets more confusing.

Joe_Limon - 7/22/2009 9:43:53 PM

+3 Boost

That still doesn't explain why epa rates the prius at half the mileage.

AlleVier - 7/22/2009 10:11:48 PM

+4 Boost

Having its origin in soap box derbies, the Japanese cycle is downhill.

Bmw8ter - 7/22/2009 10:24:59 PM

+3 Boost

I totally jumped the gun on that...I was wrong. I think it has to do with the fact that the majority of travel would be in electric mode.

Bmw8ter - 7/22/2009 10:26:55 PM

+3 Boost

The majority of travel in Japan, that is,(based on their estimates) ends up in electric mode before the gas engine comes into play. I'm pretty sure that's how they came to the conclusion of 107 mpgs.

Mason3Robert - 7/23/2009 9:50:53 AM

+3 Boost

Who comes up with these titles? You don't have to bribe me to read the story because I was going to, already. Just because they are both hybrid doesn't mean Toyota has anything to do with Honda's upgrade. Furthermore, the Prius in danger? lol

As some of the other readers have suggested, an upgrade merely says it wasn't right for the start. The "new" insight was just released no so long ago, so what's this upgrade really about?

Mason3Robert - 7/23/2009 9:55:00 AM

+2 Boost

Also, I see the article is very Honda bias. It mentioned how the Insight was on top in April, but defeated in May by the prius (pretty even at this point). The article then states how the Fit (jazz) was some type of King in June, but it failed to mention the Prius selling 22,292 units in the same month. Nice try!