63 mpg new Honda insight

[darren]

Wow...the TDI and prius has some serious mainstream competition:

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/01...you-its-moves/

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/01...e-higher-than/

The highlights:

We recently got the opportunity to drive the new Honda Insight through the gently rolling hills just north of Phoenix, AZ, and managed to score 63.4 mile per gallon on one particular efficiency run. That's impressive, and it's also much higher than the Insight's official EPA rating of 40-city and 43-highway. In fact, even the older Civic Hybrid scores better under the EPA's testing procedure, leading many to wonder what's up. Isn't the IMA drivetrain for the Insight the latest and greatest? As a matter of fact, it is, and Honda believes that real-world mileage will be much better than the official ratings. Still, it uses a less powerful electric motor and a smaller battery pack. Why?

According to Hideharu Takemoto, assistant chief engineer for Honda, the team was after much more than just a high mileage rating, with an emphasis being placed on a low price point (Edmunds says "well under 18K") and an enjoyable driving experience. Indeed, the Insight will be the least expensive hybrid in America when it goes on sale, and our own Sam Abuelsamid found that the car was much more fun to drive than most green vehicles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKqHL...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTek_...eature=channel

[Vent5]

Well the Jetta was said to get mpg in the 60s and the prius people always say 50s. Reality shows that 40s is realistic for both. The new Prius is closer to the showroom and did get a few mpg more. Very convincing competition but as with previous generations, the Jetta will probably be a much better driver. Tuned for the autobahn!

[chittychittybangbang]

Thanks for the videos. There are other reasons people would buy x car vs. y car. I'm not too worried about the future of the TDI.

Much like why people buy Ferraris for 3x the price when they could get similar performance out of a Corvette, the driving experience and feeling of the car is very different.

[diesel guy]

Originally Posted by chittychittybangbang

Thanks for the videos. There are other reasons people would buy x car vs. y car. I'm not too worried about the future of the TDI.

Much like why people buy Ferraris for 3x the price when they could get similar performance out of a Corvette, the driving experience and feeling of the car is very different.

Most people can't tell the difference - a car is just an applicance to many. Sad but true!

[BillK]

It will probably get in the high 40s real world driving with average drivers. If they were doing an efficiency run, they were trying to get high mileage. The civic diesel once got in the 70s from the writers at jalopnik but real world driving from your average driver is about what the EPA estimate would be.

[Lhonk]

Unfortunately, the economic crisis has probably put the Acura TSX diesel into a ditch. I see Honda putting their weight behind this one instead of a Acura or Civic diesel.

[chittychittybangbang]

Originally Posted by Lhonk

Unfortunately, the economic crisis has probably put the Acura TSX diesel into a ditch. I see Honda putting their weight behind this one instead of a Acura or Civic diesel.

Me too. I see diesel as a performance oriented engine or a half performance half economy engine in the US. It doesn't make much sense to have a separate line of engines for Acura. Although they do have separate engines now, cost cutting will probably kill it if it's not official yet.

[Tomspassat]

Looks like the Prius will still be sold in some markets as the Prius Classic, LOL. Toyota said they'll strip the interior and remove some features to get it below the price point of the Insight. The problem is that the insight is cheaper to make and priced much lower. This one looks like a winner.

[Two Mikes]

This car is starting to get magazine reviews...it's looking good but it's only got about 115 ft lbs of torque in a 2800 lb car. Yikes, this thing is going to be a dog. Combined with American driving styles, people will probably keep the petal to the metal and get low fuel economy!

[diesel guy]

The Prius's price has been cut by $1000 to keep up the insight - they also confirmed no old prius will still be sold in the US market.


official pricing here:

With the introduction of the Honda Insight, Toyota is facing the most serious challenge yet to its hybrid dominance since the Prius debuted. While the Insight's hybrid technology is not as sophisticated as Toyota's, it delivers excellent fuel economy, and more importantly, the Insight has a significant price advantage over the Prius. Given the threat and the current difficulties facing the auto market, Toyota has apparently decided to take up the fight by cutting the base price of the Prius by $1,000 to $21,000, only $1,200 more than the Honda.

Toyota's strategy in Japan was to keep the previous generation Prius in production to compete with the Insight on price. However, when we asked a Toyota spokesman in New York if the company evaluated the same option for the US, we were told Toyota decided against it due to new OBD-II regulations that would have required significant updates to the old Prius, negated any cost advantage

http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/t...010-89249.aspx

TORRANCE, Calif., April 21, 2009 - - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the all-new 2010 Prius midsize hybrid, scheduled to go on sale beginning in late May at Toyota dealers nationwide.

The third-generation Prius will be available in one grade with a starting MSRP of $21,000. The Prius will be offered with five levels of popular standard equipment combinations.

“The 2010 Prius delivers outstanding mileage, performance and advanced technology at a great price,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division.

Carter sees the most popular model starting at an MSRP of $22,000, equipped with a high level of standard features, “This model provides more than $2,000 added value, including the features most buyers want, at the same price as the current base model” he said.

A new base model with a lower level of standard equipment is scheduled to be available later this year. It is designed to appeal to the most cost-conscious businesses and consumers.

Celebrated as the benchmark for cars of the future, the Prius has delivered superior fuel economy and ultra-low emissions to more than 1.2 million owners worldwide for over 10 years. When it goes on sale, the 2010 Toyota Prius will once again set new standards for innovative hybrid design and technology, raising its level of convenience features and performance to new heights, including EPA fuel economy estimates of 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined (EPA MPG estimates, actual mileage will vary).

The third-generation 2010 Prius will offer enhanced performance and innovative design features. It will be quieter, roomier, and equipped with advanced standard and available features such as four driving modes, steering wheel touch controls that display on the instrument panel, a moonroof with solar panels, and Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA).
The Prius is equipped with Toyota’s industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive and certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV), emitting over 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle. A larger and more powerful yet more efficient 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine produces 98 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. Together with its electric motor the hybrid system in the new Prius will generate a combined net horsepower of 134, an increase of 24 horsepower over the previous generation.

All Prius models offer Toyota’s Star Safety System™ as standard equipment, which includes enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) Systems, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Other standard features include electric power steering and four-wheel disc brakes.

Starting fall 2009, select Prius models will include Toyota’s all-new telematics service, Safety Connect™, which will offer four safety and security features: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), and Roadside Assistance. Safety Connect will be available by subscription, with an included one-year trial subscription.

Adding to the appeal of Prius is an additional array of standard convenience features on most models that include automatic air conditioning equipped with an electric air compressor; AM/FM/MP3 CD player with six-speakers and satellite radio capability; driver door Smart Key system with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry; a Multi-Informational Display with an energy monitor and fuel consumption history; six-way adjustable driver seat; power door locks; auto up/down on all windows with window jam protection; cruise control; tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel with audio and HVAC controls; color-keyed foldable power heated side mirrors; dual sun visors with vanity mirrors; and tonneau cover.

Prius also brings many new firsts to the Toyota lineup. To help increase fuel efficiency, the 1.8-liter engine is beltless, uses an electric water pump, a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, and an exhaust heat collection system.

Other Toyota firsts include a new Touch Tracer Display, which features touch sensors on the steering wheel switches that are designed to reduce driver eye movement for better concentration on the road; an available sliding glass moonroof is packaged with solar panels that power a new ventilation system; a remote air-conditioning system functions on battery-power alone, and allows remote operation so the driver can cool the interior temperature for comfort before getting in the car.

Also new to Toyota is an available Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system that uses advanced millimeter wave radar. The system also enables Lane Keep Assist, which helps the driver stay safely within the lane, and the Pre-Collision System, which retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is unavoidable.

Base MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $750. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.






Standard Equipment
MSRP

Prius I
To be released at a later date
$21,000

Prius II 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle engine $22,000

P195/65 R15 all-season tires with alloy wheels & covers


Smart Key (driver’s door) and Push Button start


EV, Eco, and Power modes


Multi-Informational Display with energy monitor and fuel consumption history


AM/FM/MP3 CD player with six speakers and satellite radio capability and auxiliary audio jack


Cruise control


STAR Safety System and active front headrest


Seven airbags including driver knee airbag


Four-wheel disc brakes


Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and HVAC


Controls with Touch Tracer Display


Six-way adjustable driver seat


Auto up/down on all windows


Color-keyed foldable power heated side mirrors

Prius III
In addition to Prius II features: $23,000



JBL AM/FM/MP3 six-disc CD changer with eight speakers


Integrated satellite radio capability


Hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® wireless technology

Prius IV
In addition to Prius III features: $25,800



Three-door Smart Key system


Leather-trimmed interior


Heated front seats with driver lumbar support


Driver and front passenger water repellant windows


Plasmacluster™ ionizer


Auto dimming mirror with HomeLink®

Prius V
In addition to Prius IV features: $27,270


17-inch alloy wheels and P215/45 R17 tires


LED headlamps with auto leveling and washers


Integrated foglamps





Optional Equipment MSRP
Prius II
Prius III
Prius IV
Prius V

Navigation Package $1,800
NA
Available
Available
Available

Voice-actived touch-screen DVD navigation system with JBL AM/FM/MP3 four-disc CD changer, eight speakers, integrated satellite radio capability, XM NavTraffic capability, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology and integrated backup camera






Solar Roof Package $3,600
NA
Available
Available
NA

Includes Navigation Package equipment plus power tilt/slide moonroof with Solar Powered Ventilation System and Remote Air Conditioning System






Advanced Technology Package $4,500
NA
NA
NA
Available


Includes Navigation Package equipment plus Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA)