Honda to Revive the Insight Nameplate: Honda’s Insight to Stalk the Prius

The original Honda Insight was the first mass produced hybrid to hit the market. That was 1999. Despite an under $20k price tag and very good mileage, the little two-seater, 3-door hatchback was dropped after 2006.

Aimed straight at the heart of the Toyota Prius market, the new Insight is a 5-door hatchback concept car that will debut next month at the Paris Auto Show and will launch later as a 2009 model.

Honda has hinted that the base price will be in the mid-$18k range with 200,000 units planned for worldwide distribution, half of that destined for the U.S.