Honda

The Revival of the Honda Insight

The all-new Honda Insight will be debuted next month as a prototype at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

As many of us know, the Honda Insight made its first official debut back in 1999. It featured two doors and a hybrid drivetrain that was comprised of a compact gas engine and electric motors.

It was America's first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle.

With a refresh nearly a decade later that attempted to put it back on the map, Honda ultimately pulled the plug on it in 2014 after slow sales.

The new Insight comes four year later, and it falls right above the Civic. From the photos released by Honda, it will feature a smooth silhouette accompanied by a long hood, sleek LED headlights, four doors and a rear spoiler.

"With its sophisticated styling, dynamic stance, ample interior space and best-in-class performance, the all-new Insight embodies Honda's approach to creating electrified vehicles without the typical tradeoffs," said Honda America general manager, Henio Arcangeli, Jr.  "You won't have to be an electrification advocate to appreciate the new Insight - it's a great car in its own right, independent of what's happening under the hood."

The Insight will use Honda's two-motor hybrid system.

One of the motors is utilized to accelerate the vehicle, while the other helps start the gas engine and acts as a generator to charge the battery for the first motor.

This system is currently seen in the Accord Hybrid.

"At the 2017 North American International Auto Show we announced our Honda Electrification Initiative with the intention to make two-thirds of Honda's global vehicle sales electrified vehicles by 2030," said Arcangeli, "With the Insight launching later in 2018 as the fifth electrified vehicle brought to market over the past year, we're demonstrating our commitment to that goal."

Come January 15, 2018, when it will make its first appearance, we expect to have full details on the new and improved Insight hybrid.

NEXT: THE JEEP SCRAMBLER: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

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