Honda Insight: World's cheapest hybrid car?

Remember the hideous-looking Honda Insight launched in 1999? You know, the first hybrid car to go on sale in Europe? It's back, and it's been given a much-needed face (and bum) lift.

Unfortunately, it now looks like a Toyota Prius, which isn't exactly what we had in mind. But ignore that for a second, because Honda says, come spring 2009, the Insight will be the cheapest hybrid on the planet.

Its exact price won't be revealed until "a later date", but industry experts claim a starting price somewhere in the region of $20,000 (£11,400) -- $3,000 less than a Prius. Don't get too excited, though. In good old rip-off Britain, the Prius sells for around £18,000, so we wouldn't be too surprised if the Insight's price tag tipped over the £15,000 mark.

Honda is yet to confirm performance and fuel-economy figures for the Insight, but here's hoping it can limbo under the magical 100g/km emissions level required for it to be exempt from road tax. More as we get it. -Rory Reid