alphapenguin

I am not sure if this is posted somewhere already. I know that it was already known honda was coming out with a new hybrid only model, but i guess this is the first time honda has unveiled what it actually looks like. Looks like a prius to me.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/04/auto...ion=2008090414

honda's site:
http://automobiles.honda.com/insight-hybrid/

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

looks like a Civic humped a Pruis and that is their bastard love child.

RyanX-8

iTrader: (1)

I don't get it. They make a hybrid and it looks ugly. All of these companies making ugly hybrid vehicles.... why?! Add more dam style!!!!! Pisses me off.

Rhawb

Because they're supposed to look like they're from the future, and apparently, the future is ugly.

moRotorMotor

I think aerodynamics plays the biggest factor in designing a hybrid vehicle.

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

I could be wrong.. I'm not big with aerodynamics but it looks like they took a brick and smoothed out the top into a slight curve.. then stuck on wheels. They probably could make more sales with a better looking hybrid but oh well, all the better. I don't think it's a good direction anyways.

sleeperx8

or the future of hybrid is ugly. the future of electricity apparently is sexy (see tesla roadster).

kvndoom

Considering how slow the things are, just how aerodynamic do they need to be?

SleepeR1st

iTrader: (2)

Well because aerodynamics is probably the leading role in less consumption of gasoline. Get over it.

fisherdn

I've actually had a couple as rental cars and while they're overall slow, the electric motor provides an impressive amount of torque for common driving. I have high standards for cars (thanks to my 8) but I was pleasantly surprised by the Prius.

kvndoom

There's nothing to get over. Diesels have been getting kick-*** fuel mileage and putting out very impressive amounts of torque for many years, with or without goofy aerodynamics. But "diesel" is a dirty word in the States. "Oh noes, teh deezel was loud and smokey 20 years ago, it must still be baed!!1!" "Hybrid" is a nice shiny hip buzzword, which of course works well in a fad-addcited society such as ours. It's amazing how people will settle for less just to be trendy.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

you dont know very much about aerodynamics do you? the most aerodynamic shape is a water drop. so.. turn a water drop on its side and make it into a car. there are only a few logical shapes that make sense for a car.

geez people. while i dont quite agree with hybrids (the batteries are terrible for the environment) hybrids are made for mileage. they are significantly on the side of function over form.

personally, i like the aptera type 1. hopefully they will release it for the DC area/east coast within a few years. i'll be buying it as soon as it does.

EdwardsB

a picture in our fluid dynamics book showed a prius and talked about how it had a very low coefficient of drag. that caused it to result in that ugly design we present have.

rotarygod

They styled it the way they did since they are trying to compete with the Prius. Appeal to those buyers. The thing they don't realize is that there isn't a single person on the planet who has ever or who will ever buy a Prius based on it's looks. It's pure and simple ugly. You could revive the Pontiac Aztek as an all hybrid and it would sell well. That's how little looks play into the sales of hybrids. The only thing that matters is the fact that they are perceived as "green" and fuel efficient.

mysql

The Prius has a lower drag coefficient than the rx-8. It's 0.26. The RX-8 is 0.31

mysql

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automob...ag_coefficient

rotarygod

The first gen Insight had a drag coefficient of .25

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

please RG, NOT the Aztek!!!! for the love of all that is Automotive!!!!

N rider89

nice honda prius

911SC

Have you priced a gallon of diesel lately?

mysql

diesel is more heavily taxed since it's basically used for commercial vehicles.

still, if your gas costs $1 more per gallon, but you can go twice as far on a gallon, it's a good deal.

911SC

That's what I'm getting at. The hybrids get as good or better mileage than diesels and use cheaper gas. So with diesel vs. hybrids you pay less for fuel AND go further with the hybrid.
But yeah, they're not lookers that's for sure.

mysql

with a diesel, you get fuel economy all the time, not just good fuel economy in the city.

you also get a stronger engine.

and you don't have to lug around heavy batts, with an unknown lifespan, and extra hardware to maintain.

I prefer KISS when possible. I would buy a diesel over a hybrid any day of the week. The problem is that the public opinion closely mirrors 911SC's, so auto manufacturers are not willing to invest money into bringing decent diesel vehicles to the US.

911SC

Highway mileage for the Prius and Civic Hybrid is 45mpg. The two most fuel efficient cars in the US (R&T Oct. '08 page 85). And yes the Jetta TDI is right there at 44mph. Hybrids are new, give them time. They'll either prove themselfs or dissapear. For years I drove a Seat turbo diesel in Spain. Don't get me wrong I think diesel is one way to go, but why not have some options.
Also, decent diesels are available, it's just that most North Americans don't want them. But they will buy that fancy new Prius that Hollywood types drive.
People also see diesel as noisy and smelly ( just what they remember from the late '70s early '80s) and hybrid sounds sooooo clean.

ILoveFI

I'd rather get a civic hybrid, its basically a civic, but it's a hybrid and doesn't look so fugly! Either that or just wait for the Escalade hybrid that is coming out.