More details, photos of Honda Insight emerge ahead of Detroit

Even as fuel prices plummet to a fraction of their peak figures, carmakers are ramping up their hybrid production plans, and Honda is not to be left out. The Insight Hybrid will be Honda's first fully dedicated hybrid model since the last Insight ended production in 2006, and it makes its debut in just a few days' time at this year's Detroit Auto Show.

Today a range of new details and photos of the Euro-spec Honda Insight Hybrid have been revealed via Honda's official Belgian magazine. Most interesting are the fuel economy figures. Using the same IMA hybrid assist system the Civic Hybrid uses, the Insight scores 4.4L/100km - or 53.4mpg US - close to, but just behind, the current Toyota Prius, which rates at 4.3L/100km or 54.7mpg US. Despite the small efficiency disadvantage, the Insight is expected to be several thousand dollars cheaper than the Prius, more than making up for the difference in terms of actual costs. The green image - key to a hybrid's success - may, however, be negatively impacted. Government tests and efficiency ratings being what they are, however, real-world results may differ.

The new photos that come with the information reveal little that hasn't already been seen of the car, though a few new angles and wider shots of the interior reveal a more complete picture.

Late last year a brochure depicting the JDM version of the car has leaked, revealing some of the options and appearance add-ons that can be had for the car. Earlier this week nearly two dozen photos and details the UK version of the car leaked. The UK model is expected to be essentially identical to the European version and very close, though likely slightly different to the U.S. variant.

The name of the car in the JDM brochure is the Insight Modulo, a sort of 'sporty' version of its new hybrid. The core features of the Modulo variant are new front, side and rear fascias and larger wheels. The interior of this version also appears to stay true to the concept's design. The final tidbit of information to be gleaned from the brochure is that the Insight will be offered in three trim levels in Japan - G, L and LS, though it's not clear that those labels will translate directly into the American market.

In December, Honda released the first image of the production version of its second-generation Insight Hybrid (below), which was previewed in concept form last October at the Paris Motor Show. The image revealed that the production version will be very similar to the concept, featuring an almost identical overall shape and many of the same details.

The CEO of Honda, Takeo Fukui, previously confirmed that the car will go on sale in 2009 with a 1.3L petrol engine as part of its hybrid powertrain. It is also expected to start under $19,000, making it the most affordable mass-market dedicated hybrid currently available. Honda expects global sales volumes of 200,000 cars, half of which will come from North America.

Fukui also revealed that the hybrid control module and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries will be located under the cargo floor to maximize interior space. Powering the vehicle will be the latest iteration of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology. Engineers managed to achieve a significant cost reduction for the technology, which Honda claims should make the Insight the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. The car will also feature a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™)

Honda aims to sell 200,000 Insights globally, per year. The hatchback will be the first of a new family of Honda hybrids, followed by a production version of the CR-Z concept sports car, and a Jazz hybrid.