What is Digg?Sponsored by Bing
How Many Calories Are In Alcohol? view!
bing.com - Handy guidelines help you get your drink on and keep the weight off.
130 Comments
- xctrackpre86, on 09/05/2008, -3/+56looks vaguely familiar to another hybrid....
- tbredofsin, on 09/06/2008, -2/+45$18.5k for a 5-door hybrid. Complaints about the financial and practical infeasibility of buying a hybrid are becoming more and more ridiculous.
- GoKickyFast, on 09/04/2008, -3/+39Wow. GM is going to have a hard time marketing the Volt if it comes in around $30,000 as expected (and that's the low end of the guesses).
- somberlaine, on 09/04/2008, -5/+40This is going to be a winner.
- MetroMPG, on 09/04/2008, -1/+32The original Insight was the most aerodynamically efficient production car available in North America at the time. I wonder what the new car's numbers will be...
- deaconyermouf, on 09/06/2008, -0/+23I thought the same thing. Though I'd imagine that designing the car, compromising between capacity and aerodynamics efficiency would lead to similar shapes.
- grumpyrain, on 09/06/2008, -0/+17The form is dictated by function. Anyone who pursues optimal drag coefficients will inevitably end up building something that resembles a tear drop.
- TomO1, on 09/04/2008, -2/+18Looks like I'll be saving up for my next car ;)
- darkciti2, on 09/06/2008, -0/+15I own a 2000 Insight and I absolutely love it! I was bummed when they discontinued it in 2006.
The Insight is the only car that I've ever purchased that has _appreciated_ in value. I paid $11k for it and it's now worth about $14k (and it's 7 years old).
I ***** love it when the combustion/gas engine turns off at red lights.
My only complaint about this car is that when you're in the grocery store parking lot, people don't move out of the way because they don't hear the car (when you're behind them). - inactive, on 09/05/2008, -3/+17looks like a souped up prius, and wtf is up with those rims?
- grumpyrain, on 09/06/2008, -0/+12> As of right now Hybrid cars are a much better alternative than a fully electric vehicle.
Correct, although I disagree with your reasoning. Electric cars are more efficient than petrol/diesel engines (we are talking 2.5 - 3x more efficient here even after transmission and storage losses). Electricity is cheaper than petrol and can be obtained from varied sources (some good, others not so good), and the fuel does not need to line the pockets of the most corrupt regimes in the world. Having plugin cars would minimise the wasted energy in off peak times and would even allow us to raise the percentage of unpredictable generation methods (eg wind / solar) without risking supply falls. Even if the energy comes from coal initially it is going to be cleaner than petrol or diesel. Furthermore this gives an easy option in the future to switch our supply networks to renewables.
Electric motors are incredibly simple, require next to no maintenance, last for much longer and do not require the same levels of oils that a petrol engine does. They are lighter, smaller (meaning more room for occupants and luggage in a far smaller vehicle), quieter and the torque response is significantly better than both petrol and turbo diesel.
So why do I believe hybrids are a better choice? Because at the moment, we still need to put in place infrastructure that can handle "refueling" on trips more than "half a tank" away from your home. We still need a quick way of refueling (under 5 minutes), and battery systems that do not make the car cost too much. All of those will happen, but we are not there yet. Hybrids, or specifically plugin hybrids are a good compromise until these issues are resolved. - inactive, on 09/06/2008, -2/+13Volt is 100% electric and looks decent. There will be a market unless GM ***** up. And if they do...they are ***** because it's their savior.
- snowpunter, on 09/06/2008, -3/+14Under 19k?
Want. - Schrodinger2, on 09/06/2008, -2/+1230k for a volt or your tax dollars for a bailout. GM wins either way.
- redfan, on 09/06/2008, -0/+9I wish it didn't look just like the Prius, and I'll wait to see what the EPA mileage rating is, but if Honda can really put it together for that price, we might actually see these things lose the "hippie" stigma they currently have.
Coming soon to a Wal-Mart lot near you? - inactive, on 09/06/2008, -1/+10They continue to spin.
- joeanon, on 09/06/2008, -0/+9No it's not, that's too high under today's EPA ratings to be real.
That's what the original Insight claimed in MPG, but you can only get that if you drive like a grandmother downhill with the wind on your back and drafting behind an 18 wheeler. - scootinger, on 09/06/2008, -0/+8What engine does this have, and what kind of fuel economy would it likely have? I'm thinking that it might not be so feasible to have a 3-cyl engine and similar fuel economy to the original Insight with a bigger vehicle...but the technology might have improved in the 8 years or so since the original Insight!
- shakin, on 09/06/2008, -0/+7The article said Honda was able to reduce the cost of the Hybrid system, but it said nothing about it being an inferior system. Chances are high that they aren't building a Prius knockoff because the Prius is a relatively high-end car with quality materials that match the Camry. The new Insight will probably feel more like a Civic, so you're getting a $16,000 car with a $3000 hybrid system instead of a $19,000 car with a $6000 hybrid system.
Considering how many Civics and Corollas are sold each year I can't imagine how this can fail. - dmbchris, on 09/06/2008, -0/+7it's a concept car for an auto show- they all have crazy custom rims. Larger rims (thinner tires) make the car "look faster"
- Opiate, on 09/06/2008, -4/+10Definite visual improvement over the last generation.
- designer, on 09/06/2008, -2/+8Can't they make these fuel efficient cars look good? Make them look like sports cars.
- spookyttws, on 09/06/2008, -1/+6We need more pictures. From the front it looks a lot better than the old Insight, but it's hard to get a feel for the back from the diagonal profile shot.
I'm sticking with my RSX for now. - xelloss, on 09/06/2008, -0/+4There is more to a car then just mpg. Personally I would pay more money then drive a POS KIA anyday.
- whatwhatwhoa, on 09/06/2008, -3/+7Everyone STFU about the body styling, it's aerodynamically efficient and it gets the job done.
For example, anyone notice the silly aluminum wheels on Hybrid Civics? They weigh less, and are so more aerodynamic than a regular 5 spokes. - tbredofsin, on 09/06/2008, -0/+4First, you're assuming that gas prices aren't going to rise over the next 10 or so years most people would own the car. With the way China is gobbling oil, trust me, they are--possibly by quite a bit.
Sure, you could grab a cheap Kia with less features. But then you'd be buying a KIA. Try comparing the price with a similarly featured Honda or Toyota and see where things fall out *then*. I suspect it will be much closer.
And yeah, when I'm already spending over $15k on a car, even if it winds up being a few hundred more expensive, I'll pay that price to do my part in conserving oil. - AmazingA, on 09/06/2008, -5/+9FTA: This thing is so inexpensive because they used an inferior hybrid system.
So it's a cheap hybrid vs. the fully electric car of the future. I think I still want a Volt. - Pinkertinkle, on 09/06/2008, -2/+6Can it do plug in? If so i'll take 3.
- LanceUppercut, on 09/06/2008, -0/+4thats where all the pontiac firebirds with 30 inch rims hang out. Your new honda insight would be shanked in 30 seconds in any wal-mart parking lot around here.
- greensky, on 09/06/2008, -2/+6Aufty... It really depends on your needs. For an commuter/errands car within a certain radius a full electric car may work out just fine.
"You're not even benefiting the environment because they still burn fossil fuels to make electricity." ... It depends on where you live. Some utilities get the majority of their power from hydro and others let you pay a premium to get your power from renewable. Also, power can transition over time to renewable, but for now there are no non-oil based products you can fill a hybrid with.
Also electric engines last longer and take a ton less maintenance. Electricity isn't free, but it will cost less than gas. - dusanmal, on 09/06/2008, -0/+4Not only for the engineering reasons but from knowing the customers as well. Customers wanting hybrids have interest in a reasonably capable car, evident by the first generation Insight which haven't done so well vs. Prius: you don't make 2+2 coupe for this purpose. Honda have learned that. GM obviously failed to understand that while designing Volt.
- imitokay, on 09/06/2008, -2/+5function before form.
- diggmaddy, on 09/06/2008, -0/+3They never spin to the contrary. You'll find they're quite stationary.
- MunkeyPirate, on 09/06/2008, -0/+3Free Electricity? Where I have to pay for mine.
Did you sneak into your neighbors house and run an extension cord into yours yo power everything in your home? - saikyan, on 09/06/2008, -0/+3On Digg It's cooler to fawn over hybrids. Even though buying used can save you a ***** ton more money.
Hybrids are incredibly overrated. A used $15,000 car from a reputable source will be not only be cheaper to buy, it will be cheaper to own in the long run, factoring in maintenance and insurance. - Barackalypse, on 09/06/2008, -2/+5This is a GM Volt killer getting 60 mpg and costing $19,000. Assuming the Volt costs only costs $30k (it won't) and you only power the Volt with free electricity, this vehicle is $11k cheaper and at $5 a gallon gas that buys enough fuel to drive it 132,000 miles.
http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/09/hondas-got-priu ... - ravi7791, on 09/06/2008, -0/+3Nope. One is the FCX Clarity and the other is the CRZ http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-z/
- ch33sehead, on 09/06/2008, -0/+3Just make sure you hit an actual oil deposit and not a pipeline.
- chadu, on 09/06/2008, -1/+4yay four doors!
- zdiggler, on 09/06/2008, -3/+6for me buying a cheap used car is better then buy ANY new car even if they get 100MPG. My car paid off, I put $80 worth of gas every 2 weeks. basic insurance coverage $130/month, gas cost 160/month, car payment $0!
Car payments and Full Coverage insurance cost more then gas, not good for environment in my wallet! - Resiroth, on 09/06/2008, -0/+3I hope it is really a hybrid as in 1/2 gas 1/2 electric. Then again that is pretty unrealistic for it's low price tag. Remember that for it to really be a nice car it will be an extra 5,000 at least with options. I love competition though and I am glad they are stepping it up. Keep in mind a fully loaded prius was running 33k as well as a waiting list when we recently checked out hybrids. We ended up spending 26k on a loaded (heated seats, leather, touchscreen, xm, bose [I know they're overpriced but they are a hell of a lot better than stock] ) nissan altima hybrid. Hopefully honda's hybrid puts pressure on toyota to lower prices in order to compete. Right now it is like the iphone, why bother lowering prices when they're flying off the lot?
- Galaxylander, on 09/06/2008, -0/+3*It's over 9000!
- kingofinternet, on 09/06/2008, -1/+3size has everything to do with aerodynamics: you use the drag coefficient with frontal area and total surface area. a 747 has very little relative frontal area.
size in terms of weight will make a huge difference. the original insight was a two seater hatchback. - lou2005, on 09/06/2008, -0/+2Both Honda and Toyota have some hybrid sports car concepts. I think they will be seeing the light of day eventually. link to the honda http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-z/
and the Toyota http://www.greencar.com/news/toyota-sporty-hybrid- ... - EtherGnat, on 09/06/2008, -0/+2"So it's a cheap hybrid vs. the fully electric car of the future. I think I still want a Volt."
Um, the Volt is a hybrid, albeit a PHEV, but still a hybrid. Do the math, test drive them, see which one suits your needs better. They both have their place. - joeanon, on 09/06/2008, -1/+3Hybrid means it's an electric engine with a gas generator really.
The Prius and this car are the only true Hybrids.. I guess the volt also if it doesn't burst into flames and sue itself into oblivion before it gets to market.
I only know idiots who own the iPhone, it's not a good phone. A fun gadget, but a lousy phone. I'd rather have a decent phone with a useful feature like navigation, not a hyped up touchpad MP3 player with a cheap built in phone.
If you want to surf on the go, one of those micro laptops is far superior to an iPhone, far more powerful and also cheaper. You get a real keyboard and screen, not a toy for dumb people with too much money.
The best part about hybrids is that they are electric. Gas means failure, because in 100 years nobody has ever made a solid, efficient and reliable gas engine. All designs have far too many moving parts to break and add friction and therefore inefficiency to the engine.
Electric engines on the other hand are very simple, have few moving parts, last virtually forever, are highly efficient and do not require a transmission.
A smart car design would be something like a hybrid, all electric with all the nice regenerative braking feature and such, but with a design to be refit in the future with updated powerplants such as more efficient generators and better batteries.
Because an electric engine can last so long a good electric car would be modular allowing you to throw in the latest technology and keep on rolling until the frame is no good.
Like, for instance, converting your current Hybrid to plug-in. Not too hard, not too cheap, and an ok reuse of your investment.
Honda has the idea though, get real, electric vehicles have less moving parts and will ultimately cost less to make than combustion vehicles with so many precision moving parts. Most of the price tag is just these companies taking the hit of making new designs and mastering the industrial process as well.
When it comes down to it, electric cars can becheaper and much faster to accelerate than any gas powered car. Mechanical engines have significant latency from the time you hit the gas to the time the hundreds of moving parts pass kinetic force through each other and finally to the wheels.
With an electric, especially a good wheel hub motor, there is no significant latency and the cars just GOES without lag and destroys anything on the road in acceleration.
There are great videos of a corvette and viper getting owned by some electric hobby racer. He doesn't just beat them a little, he blows them away, however he lacks top end and range for now because there are no good batteries on the market after years of ignoring the potential of the electric car.
- darkciti2, on 09/06/2008, -0/+2Yes, it can. I developed the original dashpc/carputer. I could put an overclocked Quad Penryn in my car and power it with solar panels while cooling the CPUs with the combustion engine cooling system whilst still achieving better gas mileage than any other production car.
I'd probably take it a step further and create a phantom phone extension that forwards directly to the car using a wVOIP VPN IAX/SIP client connection to the corporate Asterisk box - in case I'm ever out of Cell signal range.
But I'm a little geekier than most.
So, the answer to your question is: "Yes" - roijen, on 09/06/2008, -2/+4They are Japanese. Also that's how you know its good. Similar to what children think of vegetables.
- EtherGnat, on 09/06/2008, -1/+3So get a Civic or Camry hybrid. If you want something that really gets great gas mileage, though, you'll buy something more aerodynamic. Either way stop whining. I'm sick of people complaining about the looks of every single ultra efficient vehicle that comes out. We get it, you don't like the aerodynamic shapes.
And don't tell me about some sports car you think is aerodynamic and beautiful. Most aren't designed for low drag, in fact they're designed to increase downforce. A Forumula One race car has a higher drag coefficient than a Hummer. - darkciti2, on 09/06/2008, -0/+2What?! I love my Insight. I get more compliments on it than any of my other cars ([much more expensive cars]).
-
Show 51 - 100 of 135 discussions
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is