The new Insight hybrid has only been around with us for a little over a year, yet Honda's UK division has just announced that the five-door hatch received a series of improvements that include suspension changes to enhance ride and comfort, and upgrades to the interior trim levels.
In a press statement, the Japanese automaker said changes made to the Insight "are in direct response to the comments received from early customers and the media", adding that the initial focus was on the car's suspension to address "negative feedback on ride and comfort levels."
In order to improve ride, handling and stability, Honda's engineers went ahead and performed a series of upgrades to the Insight's suspension including, adjusting the recoil rate of the springs, altering the rear camber angles, changing the V-shape rear suspension brace and adjusting mounts.
Along with the suspension upgrades, Honda also made a few changes to the interior. The 2011 model year Insight gets new dashboard and seat colors for a "more uniform finish", while some plastics have been improved in quality. In addition, there are new chrome rings surrounding the air vents and the doors have been given a silver garnish feature.
Other changes include the addition of standard rear parking sensors to ES-model Insights and above, the introduction of a new range-topping EX model with black leather upholstery and DVD Sat Nav with hands-free telephone equipment, as well as two new exterior colors - Dynamic Blue Pearl and Carnelian Red Pearl.
Honda said that production of the revised Insight starts in Japan in July, with the first customer deliveries expected in September, 2010. However, it is not clear yet if these changes are limited to the European-spec model or if they will be applied to Insights sold globally.
9 Comments:
Good to see they are responding promptly in a positive manner to some of the biggest shortcomings of the Insight.
And before anyone snaps at me yes I know the puny engine performance has been left out of this update and still needs to be addressed!
I hope the revised interior will also come on the RCX
Great... not how about a manual transmission (just like in the CRZ) to kill the noise from the CVT...??
As a longtime Honda and Acura family owner myself, we continually receive welcomed (permission was asked from Honda/Acura) calls and e-mails from both divisions - even invitations to look at concepts and attend clinics. I would like to think that they listen to my "personal request" (lol!)) for leather seats on the Insight (indicated above); and hopefully, a sunroof, too. An outstanding company and some great changes that we (customers) asked for.
But you have to wonder how they put a noisy, crappy handling and riding vehicle out in the first place. I haven't driven one but all the reviews, including I think Consumer Reports have said nice try, cute stuff in the displays, but think very seriously about spending a little more on a Prius.
And are they addressing the same issues on the probably (I don't really know...anyone?) mechanically related Fit/Jazz?
^ emjayay, the main reason for the well documented issues with the Insight are due to Hondas flawed (but cheaper and much faster) approach of ripping a Fit/Jazz apart and tacking on all the tech required in a Hybrid. Unlike the Prius which is designed as one whole package from the start.
So really the Fit/Jazz doesn't suffer any of the same mechanical issues, as these parts were designed specifically for that model from the beginning!
Honda, in their arrogance, should have got it right first time...
This car will be a sales failure for Honda, until the next generation Insight arrives. If Honda doesn't get that one right, then that too will also be a sales failure. By then there will be more than just Toyota's Hybrid to compete with.
I expected better from Honda, who appear to be backsliding
I bought an Insight that my wife drives. It's a great car! I fight her to drive it and I drive a G35X so I know what a powerful good handling car should feel like. The insight is getting a bad rap, but these changes should help.
I bought a early Insight in 2009 and can't see what the fuss is about with the ride. But then again my previous car was an Accord that I'd lowered on sports springs and put 17's on so by comparison the Insight is a much softer ride :) Certainly comfortable enough to have driven over 24,000 miles in a year and a half. By 20k miles the engine loosened up and it gets over 70mpg average quite easily now on motorway runs.
There's also talk that the 2011 revision includes a tweak to the auto-stop to make it stop for longer. Early adopters like me should get this as a free firmware upgrade (are you listening, Honda UK?).
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