Honda claims similarity between Insight and Prius a coincidence
 

Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Toyota, Green Daily
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Vehicle aerodynamics are a strange thing. While you can create perfect aerodynamic models using math, there is no ideal aerodynamic shape for a vehicle because there are so many variables - including style, which is constantly updated. Still, certain shapes are slipperier than others and the Toyota Prius' iconic egg-shaped look is quite good at moving through the air without disrupting things too much. So, is it that big a surprise that the new Honda Insight looks a lot like the Prius? According to Honda, the look is the result of making a vehicle with low drag, not one that takes on the Prius' style. Honda spokesman Chuck Schifsky told the Detroit Free Press that, "It was done that way because it was the most aerodynamic design, and we were going for fuel economy." I'm inclined to believe Honda on this, but you can't dismiss the similarities. Take a look in the galleries below.

Gallery: Paris 08: Honda Insight concept
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Gallery: 2009 Toyota Prius
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[Source: Detroit Free Press]
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Yep.... it is the first thing anyone notices it seems. Honestly I remember Honda taking on this sort of look before Toyota though. When the 06 Civic SI was just about to come out there were pictures of what the new Sedan would look like, and it's shape seemed to come through in the FCX Clarity as well as the Honda concepts drawings and renderings.

If you think about it though, the CR-Z is going to look a hell of a lot like a shortened two door version of the new Insight. And while I'm sure we'd like to think wind-tunnelers have done aerodynamics to death, there will probably be more to come.

Like it or loathe it, the Prius' form is inherently logical.
Lots of room (and little turbulence) in an otherwise narrow compact car chassis.

I wish they'd sex up the new Insight with a bit of the coke-bottle fender flares of the FCX, but at the $18K price point, I s'pose it is out of the question.