Now that all the cars have been laid bare for everyone to see, oggle, berate or just ignore, AutoObserver offers their opinion as to what works and what doesn't work at this latest Parisianne offering.
2008 Paris Auto Show: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
So what's your take? Do you agree with AO? Or do you have some favorites that you just love to hate, or love to love?
As to me? I disagree with them on the Honda Insight, even though it may well resemble a Prius. Both these cars were wind tunnel-designed--and when you're going for max fuel mileage, the wind tunnel will always win over visual distinction. Prius-like or not, the Insight (left) is better looking than the Prius; plus I see a lot of Honda FCX Clarity (right) styling there as well.
noflash1 says:
06:31 AM, 10/ 8/08
I have never enjoyed an AutoObserver opinion or was glad that I read one of their articles.
We should all get used to that shape, because there will be more of it to come.
Where they missed the boat for Insight criticism is that the new Insight's fuel efficiency is to be "on par" or "mirroring" the Honda Civic Hybrid. If true that would be a huge disappointment. Not that the HCH's FE is bad, it's just that we need to keep improving. Three years should provide for improvements.
I hope they were being overly cautious and the numbers will be closer to the original Insight.
As far as looks -- I think it's stunning.
So far so good, don't let me down Honda!
nf
PS I own two HCHIIs.
firstwagon says:
07:43 AM, 10/ 8/08
Looking at the 2 pictures there, it's incredible how close they look. If a Chinese company had that close a copy of the Prius people would making a huge fuss.
Looking forward to a comparison though. Interesting to see if the Honda Prius can beat the Toyota Prius.
cruiserhead1 says:
08:36 AM, 10/ 8/08
Saying that it has to look similar due to aerodynamic reasons is such a cop-out! That is just not true and history will support that. It's lazy journalism to let Honda get away with that.
Honda simply wants a piece of the Prius market and made it's own. Plain and simple.
And to say a 2009 design looks better than the Prius (which has been out for many years)... DUH! I would hope so! Wait and compare to the '10 Prius.
Honda made a great looking car but it copied the Prius. Toyota set the hybrid sedan mold (at least for now) and everyone knows it. The Prius is iconic.
I'm not saying it's some master work of art, I am saying it has set in popular culture as THE car that defines HYBRID.
ateixeira says:
08:47 AM, 10/ 8/08
Note that the two cars pictures are both Hondas.
The wind tunnel determined the shape of the roof, but the details are different, and Honda did well here.
The Insight may not match the HCH in MPG, but it will come at an attainable price and bring high MPG to a price segment that hasn't had that option before.
$19 grand, folks, think about it.
A loaded Fit with Navi costs more than that.
rsholland says:
09:05 AM, 10/ 8/08
"Saying that it has to look similar due to aerodynamic reasons is such a cop-out! That is just not true and history will support that. It's lazy journalism to let Honda get away with that."
Really?
"Honda simply wants a piece of the Prius market and made it's own. Plain and simple."
No kidding.
cruiserhead1 says:
10:07 AM, 10/ 8/08
Must have hit a sensitive spot. Yes, it's lazy journalism and yes it's a Prius clone. Yes, I realize both pics are of Hondas- I am saying compare the new Insight to the 10 Prius when it comes out- that will be a fair comparison.
What is the Cd of the Insight?
What is the Cd of a Subaru XT?
What is the Cd of a 1930s Tatra cars?
Lexus LS400 & Jag XF?
GM EV1?
Citreon DS?
Not to mention all the concept car sedans/vehicles through the years...
All very different shapes, all slippery forms. Stylistic excuses for copying the Prius don't fly.
It would be interesting to see how aero the Civic is in comparison.
So what? Honda made a Prius clone. Mix in their own details and sell it. What will make it or break it is how good the tech is and how reliable it is in real world use.
I think the Honda looks good. It's a good looking Prius clone.
hondacura4 says:
10:14 AM, 10/ 8/08
The Honda Insight wasn't developed to out Prius the Prius it was developed to make purchasing a dedicated hybrid more affordable and accessible. Its under Honda's new "hybrid for everyone" slogan. I think its a smart move.
I predict F/E to be slightly better than the HCH due to superior aerodynamics but Im not looking for this car to beat the Prius in the F/E as thats not the Insights initial goal.
Quote from Takeo Fukui:
"The all-new Honda Insight will also be a pioneer... challenging to take hybrid technology into a new era of affordability. This new Insight will give more people the chance to get behind the wheel of a high quality hybrid vehicle only Honda can develop. Following the advanced aerodynamic design of FCX Clarity, Insight is a 5-seat 5-door hatchback... with room for a family.
We are developing this vehicle to achieve excellent fuel efficiency on par with Civic Hybrid... but at a significantly reduced price. The new Insight is equipped with a hybrid system that combines a lightweight and compact 1.3-liter engine with a motor that will achieve excellent fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions.
We created a newly developed platform with the control unit and battery under the cargo space. As a result, Insight achieves excellent utility together with light and comfortable driving feel to offer a "Fun to Drive" spirit.
This new Insight represents the further advance of our concept of offering a hybrid for everyone. We have further reduced the weight and size of the hybrid system. And we have improved and strengthened our production system to further reduce the cost of our hybrid system.
While we continue to view the FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle as the ultimate solution, we will position Insight as an environmentally-responsible vehicle available to everyone now. The mass-production Insight will go on sale in Europe, Japan, and North America in spring 2009... with expected annual global sales of 200,000 units.
The new Insight marks the start of a new phase in our hybrid vehicle strategy... that will also include the Civic Hybrid, a new vehicle based on the CR-Z concept vehicle and a new Jazz hybrid. We expect combined annual sales to reach approximately 500,000 units.
As a next step... we plan to unveil the mass-production model of Insight next January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. But, now, it is my pleasure to give you this first look at the Insight Concept model. Thank you for your attention."
As far as the alleged Prius copying is concerned, if you compare pictures of both vehicle side by side the only real similarity is the overall shape of the roof. Other than that its much closer to the FCX Clarity in terms of overall detailing and design language. Honda has never been one to chase Toyota and the Insight isn't a start to that trend.
Hondas IMA system has always been much less complex, lighter, more compact and less expensive to manufacture vs Toyota's Synergy Drive and the Insight/HCH validate that. They may not deliver the mileage of the Prius (thats not the goal) but given the IMAs simplicity it does quite well.
moparbad says:
12:46 PM, 10/ 8/08
The list is ugly, I'm not surprised that the author is unwilling to put their name on the line and is hiding behind "Auto Observer Staff" anonymity.
MINI Crossover is hideous.
X1 is OK.
It is not important to me if the Insight is a copy or similar to the Prius on the outside, it is the mpg vs. MSRP that will tell the tale.
If people buy the Prius because they think it is beautiful then they are just sick.
m_thrizzle says:
01:16 PM, 10/ 8/08
The new Insight has a big lower lip and a mouthguard for a bumper. Not pretty, but yes it's better than the Prius. But that's like saying someone is better looking than Sandra Oh.
noflash1 says:
01:35 PM, 10/ 8/08
This link shows the similarity between the rears of the first gen Insight (produced before the Prius btw) and the next gen Insight. I think it is telling. [you will need to cut and paste the link]
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showpost.php?p=154552&postcount=10
nf
rsholland says:
03:01 PM, 10/ 8/08
noflash (and cruiserhead1)
Even before the Gen-I Insight, the Honda CRX had a split rear window—and this was well before the Prius.
http://www.honda-civic-power-locks.com/images/HondaCRX.jpg
So, in my book, Honda did not copy the Prius' rear styling, but rather is merely an evolution of a Honda styling cue that dates back to the 1980s.
estreka says:
11:34 PM, 10/ 8/08
I'd rather see styling cues taken from the CR-Z. This extruding jaw Honda has going is not particularly attractive to me (ref. CR-V).
I'm interested to see if it's roomier than the Prius. The batteries take up so much room in the Toyota.
cruiserhead1 says:
05:53 PM, 10/ 9/08
Prius clone.
rsholland, you even say so-
"even though it may well resemble a Prius. Both these cars were wind tunnel-designed--and when you're going for max fuel mileage, the wind tunnel will always win over visual distinction."
You only excuse the fact it looks like a Prius by assuming the wind tunnel creates cookie cutter styling.
The Chevy Volt is another example of an aero efficient sedan that doesn't resemble the Prius at all.