Honda Releases Details on Insight Aero Kit and Interior Accessories

Following the global debut of the 2010 Insight at the Detroit Show last week, Honda published details and photos of the optional exterior and interior accessories that will be available on the European version of its dedicated hybrid model. Aside from the front, rear and side skirts, buyers can garnish the Insight's exterior with a series of questionable aesthetic value decorative accessories that include a crystal black mask for the front bumper, metallic-look B-pillar and door handle covers, and front, rear and side protective body trims. Honda also offers a 15" Crystal design and 16" Cronos and Turbine design alloy wheels.

For the interior, the list includes blue ambient lighting that illuminates the front foot area and centre console, stainless steel front and rear doorstep garnish, centre panel, passenger dash panel and front and rear door panels rings in a dark metal finish and outlet rings in a bright metal finish.

In the audio & electronics department, the Japanese automaker offers a newly developed widescreen portable navigation system that fits onto the dashboard, a portable "Rear Entertainment System" with LCD screens fitted on the back of the front headrests, a "Hard Disk Drive Navigation" system with 40GB and a Bluetooth phone system.

Video: 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid Inside, Out and in Action

If there was a prize for the most mind-numbing car videos, Honda and its series of films for the new Insight Hybrid would definitely be a nominee for the first place... To avoid making you fall asleep, we edited the videos and created one that's under two-minutes long. Follow the jump below to watch the video or click here for detailed information and high-resolution pictures of Honda's new Prius rival.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid: Prius Rival Bows in Detroit - 73 High-Res Photos

The all-new 2010 Honda Insight hybrid car made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show. Honda's mass production hybrid will be launched worldwide in the beginning of April 2009 and will be priced in the States below the Civic Hybrid that starts from $23,650. Utilizing the same mild-hybrid system as the Civic IMA, the Insight is powered by a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

The Insight's IMA system incorporates a 10-kilowatt (13 hp) electric motor and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) that recaptures and stores kinetic energy from vehicle braking and deceleration, supplying additional power for acceleration when needed. The combined output of the petrol and electric engine is 98HP - significantly less than the Prius' 134HP.

Honda's new dedicated hybrid also loses from the Prius -on the papers at least- in terms of fuel efficiency achieving a combined EPA rating of 41 mpg US compared to Toyota's gen-III Prius 50 mpg. According to Honda, with a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, the Insight delivers an estimated maximum driving range in excess of 400 miles.

However, bear in mind that these are EPA estimates plus, the price difference between the two hybrid models may mean that in the long run, the Insight could prove more cost efficient.

Now that we've seen the whole picture, and despite the fact that the Prius is no beauty queen, we find the Insight's design more bland and with less character. The interior on the other hand, though over-loaded and somewhat complicated, has that futuristic look that one would expect from a dedicated hybrid model.