Hybrid War: Honda vs Toyota

Business Week

Given the parlous state of the auto industry, the rivalry between Honda's
new Insight and Toyota's third-generation Prius is proving to be an
enjoyable diversion. Committed to increasing sales of gas-electric models,
the companies are launching hybrid cars in quick succession-and neither one
is skimping when it comes to generating hype...

Continued: http://tinyurl.com/HybridWar

 

Hope their TOTAL Life CO2 will be less than a Jeep with the new model

 

From what I've read and seen about the Insight, they seem to be going
for a Prius exterior look, but it employs the same mild hybrid IMA set-
up Honda used on the Civic, which left me totally unimpressed.

 

Actually, it is going for a HCX /Insight 1/FCX Clarity look, the Prius
copied Honda, not the other way.

 

The original Insight looks *nothing* like either the new Insight or the
Prius, and the Clarity concept car wasn't unveiled until long after the
NHW20 Prius.

 

The original 2-seater Insight had that same look, and it predated the
Prius.

 

Does anyone who does not have a private jet at their beck and call actually
drive these the most ungreen of green cars?

 

I've just driven the new Insight. As an owner of the current-edition
Prius since its release in October 2003, my opinion of the Honda entry
is of course mostly shaped by my Prius experience. I've also driven the
Accord and Civic hybrids, though. Nice cars, but seem to be playing
catch-up. They all run much like a series hybrid rather than the
remarkable Toyota parallel system.

Few will drive Insight and Prius and choose the Honda, as it's simply
less of a car. When the new Prius reaches the market, the difference
will grow.

Ike

 

I think you have the wrong newsgroup; the Hummer group is down the hall.

 

Yeah, Ike, I guess it is a matter of perspective. I have an HCHII, the
reasons I bought it are many, first I did not want to tell the world "look
at me I have a hybrid" it is more like a car not a video game with an
overall better look and feel.
I have driven the Prius 1,000 miles in 4 days, not fun...less headroom,
seating position too upright, I HATE the video game screen, I HATE the a/c
controls, the bar across the back, the seating position is too high & too
upright, less headroom odd console, cup holder, pushbutton start, shift
knobbie on the dash to bang my knee on the list goes on and on, yes I know
it has more interior room than the Civic but in the cargo area, not in the
passenger area where it counts....so, while my Civic may not be a Prius, I
am thankful for that every day, yeah, I get 1 less mpg than my friend with a
prius but, who cares, at least I have a car I am comfortable in and does not
have a top heavy skitterish ride.
I does look like the 2010 prius has fixed most of my issues, I am sure the
seating position has not been fixed because for me Toyotas (generally)have
the most uncomfortable seats on the market and I see the bar across the back
is there too (a major fault on the insight too, sadly).

 

Yes Tommy, People do, in spite of your obvious hybrid misinformation and
disgust for anything different than what you have. you have posted 2 vague
accusations now, post some facts and, please don't post that tired urban
legend about the nickel mines in Canada that were cleaned up 10 years before
the Hybrid was introduced

 

Everyone will evaluate the features and size against the price for each
vehicle, and will make his own choice.

Not everyone wants or can afford the Prius. While they might have
otherwise bought a Corolla, now that the Honda is out many will go that
route.

 

250 miles a day??? Where's the stress in THAT?

The Prius is a very comfortable car, even for 1000 miles in one day.

I don't even see it anymore. I agree--it was way too much "look at me!
I'm different!"

??? Little button on the wheel--it goes up, it goes down, the
temperature goes accordingly.

 

I guess you and I have very different ideas of what constitutes looking
'alike'. I've seen the Insight in a showroom, I've seen photos, and
there's one I often see on my drive to work. It has never occurred to
me that it looks anything like a Prius. Or the new Insight.

 

Absolutely agreed.

 

yeah, the original insight reminds me of the pedal powered speed
record competitors with its ultraaerodynamics. the new one is more of
a junior civic hybrid.

 

thus spoke the green taliban

CO2 MUST be cut by 80% by 2050 yet even green experts say its only higher
than the 14th C by 30% - WTF?

 

Those are percentages of two different things, in much
the same way that the debt and the deficit are different.

The 80% cut by 2050 refers to CO2 emissions. Globally,
we're currently emitting on the order of 30 billion
tonnes of CO2 annually.

The 30% increase refers to the amount of CO2 in the
atmosphere, currently 387 ppmv, or about 3 trillion
tonnes.

Cutting emissions by 80% by 2050 would mean that
atmospheric CO2 levels should peak at around 450 to 500
ppmv, or about 60-80% higher than pre-industrial levels.

 

The original Insight looked, to me, nothing like the '04 Prius or the new
Insight.

Cathy

 

As I recall, that general aerodynamic shape is called the KAMM BACK.
Audi A2, Insight (both), Prius -- all are in that family, along with
many competition cars. Perhaps the horrific Pontiac Aztec, as well.

Ike

....hoping that Obama succeeds, but planning for an abysmal failure