Honda made its first furore into the hybrid car market back in 1999 when it launched the first Insight. Back then, the first generation Insight revolutionised hybrid car design by being the first hybrid to feature optimized aerodynamics and feather weight aluminium structure. This in turn maximised fuel efficiency and minimized emissions in the process.

The two seat, three door hatchback design featured a sleek body that told of its aerodynamic prowess and afforded it with modest proportions. It even featured rear fenders that covered the rear wheels to maximise the silky airflow over its contours. Looking very much like a car driven off the 1990 movie ‘Total Recall’, the Insight suddenly made the Prius of the day look antiquated with its staid sedan design.

The first generation Insight was powered by a 70bhp 1-litre petrol unit working in tandem with a 13bhp electric motor through Honda’s proprietary Integrated Motor Assist system (IMA). Unlike the Hybrid Synergy Drive used in the Prius with its planetary gear system, the IMA system has the electric motor placed between the engine and transmission which limited the motor’s role in assisting and starting the engine without a standalone capability. Even though the electric motor couldn’t be used on its own, it could store energy when the brakes are applied and reuse this energy later to assist in the vehicle’s acceleration.

Despite the first generation Insight’s inability to run fully on its motor, it still became the most fuel efficient mass market car in the US. The US Environment Protection Agency test figures showed that the Insight achieved consumption figures of 4.2 litres/100km even with the air-conditioning on. But at the extreme end, journalists from Car and Driver who took up Honda’s mileage challenge managed a consumption figure of 1.9 litres/100km although they did cheat a little by driving in the draft of a pickup truck reducing the drag on the car dramatically.

Design

Fast forward to 2009 and Honda has released the latest iteration of the Insight. On first impressions, the Insight looks frighteningly familiar and makes one wonder if hybrid cars from the different manufacturers are coming off the same production line as the Prius.