I love the Honda Insight and would love to own one but I can't help thinking the technology in the '04 Prius is superior. It gets the same combined fuel economy as an Insight equipped with the same CVT transmission and a better emissions rating. So what I'd like to know is, why hasn't anyone taken Toyota's superior hybrid system and stuck it into the insight? Instead of turbocharging the Insight to make it the first true ultra green pocket rocket, why not use the '04 Prius' superior drivetrain?

Think about it...

Insight: 73 hp combined. (91 lb./ft. combined torque) Curb Weight: 1887 lbs. (25.85 lbs./hp. ratio)

Prius: 110 hp combined. (295 lb./ft. combined torque) Curb Weight: 2890 (26.27lbs./hp ratio)

Just imagine the insight with the improved torque/horsepower to weight ratio! Now all you need to do is install nifty little rear wings that deploy over 65mph for some much needed downforce at high speeds

Now let's say this is logistically possible; to squeeze the larger 1.5 litre Prius motor and hybrid motor into the little Insight. Let's say the weight is raised to 2087lbs. from 1887 (an increase of 200 lbs.). That would improve the horsepower weight ratio to 19 lbs per horsepower and the torque to weight ratio to a scant 7 lbs per pound/feet of torque.

Compare those numbers to a 2002 Honda Civic Si Hatchback:

2002 Honda Civic Si: 2730lbs. 160hp, 132lb./ft. torque for a power weight ratio of 17lbs/hp and 20.68lbs per pound feet of torque)

The '02 Civic Si does 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. So clearly, there are huge performance gains to be had doing this. But not just in acceleration and top speed, what about fuel savings? They're going to be much better, too... as in the 70-80mpg range methinks. What do you all think of this idea? More power, greener emmissions, better mpg. I'm slobbering all over myself at the thought of it, although I'm sure someone will reply with why this is not possible.