|
Pricing for the
all-new Insight has been announced, making it the most affordable hybrid
on the market, and one of the lowest-priced ‘green’ cars.
The entry level SE
model is available from £15,490 (OTR), appealing directly to C-sector
customers looking for a practical, economical family hatch with
low-emissions.
The Insight SE,
with CO2 emissions of 101g/km and combined economy of
64.2mpg, offers an excellent value-for-money specification with 15-inch
alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, electric folding door
mirrors, front and rear electric windows, steering wheel audio controls
and VSA as standard.
The
generously-equipped ES grade is expected to be the best seller. Priced
from £16,790 (OTR) it includes the following kit, over and above the SE
grade: 16-inch alloy wheels, auto lights and wipers, cruise control,
front fog lights, heated front seats, leather steering wheel and gear
knob, paddle shift, privacy glass and USB port for MP3 players.
Hands Free
Telephone and DVD Satellite Navigation come as standard on the £18,390 (OTR)
ES-T model; a high specification car that’s likely to prove popular in
the fleet market.
For most drivers,
hybrid cars have been viewed as an expensive alternative to petrol and
diesel models, seen as a status symbol. The Insight – and its lower
price position – will make hybrid technology available to more people,
including car buyers who would never have considered a hybrid before.
In addition to its
lower on-the-road price, the Insight offers many running cost savings,
too, including reduced road tax (just £15 per year), low company car
tax, congestion charge exemption and of course, fewer trips to the
filling station.
The Insight’s low
emissions mean it qualifies for the lowest BIK tax bracket of 10 per
cent and 100 per cent write down allowance. Combined with its lower
price point, these bonuses mean it should appear on more company car
fleet lists. For the companies themselves, not only will the balance
sheets benefit from all the savings that retail customers enjoy but by
taking a fleet of Insights on board, they can also make a strong
environmental statement about their business. |