Honda Insight and CR-Z unveiled at Show

Prospect of an enjoyable to drive hybrid

The next Honda hybrid won’t be it

The first is the Insight, which Honda Australia CEO Satoshi Matsuzawa, said will be priced from $29,990 when it goes into showrooms on December 6 and $34,490 for  the top spec model.

At a time when Australians have all but abandoned manuals, it is almost bizarre to see one billed as a new car’s main asset. But Honda is unapologetic about the six speed stick shift that drives the CR-Z.

Mr Matsuzawa said the boy racer shaped coupe will “change your view of hybrids” with its sporting dynamics. He said it will be in showrooms by mid-2011.

More whimsically, Honda also revealed its personal mobility device, a sort of automated unicycle that responds to the rider’s body movements.