New Honda Insight hybrid to hit dealers in April of ‘09

It was revealed earlier this month that the upcoming Honda hybrid — likely to wear the Insight nameplate — would list from below $18,500 and now we have the first indication of when to expect the Prius fighter in Honda showrooms — April 2009.

Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., revealed the news on Wednesday at a seminar being held in northern Michigan. Colliver also confirmed that the new Insight will be a five-door hatchback.

Priced below the Honda Civic, this Japanese-built hybrid will carry over much of the hatchback styling from the FCX.

In addition to recycling the Insight name, Honda will equip the new hybrid with the same 1.3L Integrated Motor Assist system found in the current-generation Honda Civic Hybrid. However, further development of the system will cut the IMA’s cost by about 50 percent in the new hybrid, according to Next Energy News.

Although the new Insight will be loosely based on the Fit, it will measure in at 3 inches longer and 1 inch wider than the Fit.

One Honda insider told Edmunds the Insight’s fuel economy would be “insane,” with some Japanese sources predicting mileage as high as 71 mpg. Actual mileage will likely be lower when it hits our shores, but should still be impressive.

And if those lofty fuel-economy numbers weren’t enough to cause an instant waiting list for the new hybrid, the next-generation Insight will list from under $18,500 – undercutting the Toyota Prius by thousands of dollars.

The new Insight is expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show, but Honda could also wait until November’s Los Angeles Auto Show. Whatever the case, the new five-door hybrid will hit U.S. Honda dealers next April.

Honda hopes to build 200,000 units annually, with half of that production to be sold in the United States.