Mugen Launches Sports Parts For... Honda Insight?

Let's face it, of all the new car releases of late, perhaps the least sporty of them all would have to be the 2010 Honda Insight.

With a grand total of 75kW trickling out of its petrol/electric hybrid drivetrain and an excitement-sapping CVT transmission calling the shots, you can't really describe the Insight as being "pulse-racingly quick". Not with a straight face anyway.

Still, that hasn't deterred Honda's in-house tuning co. Mugen from waving its magic wand over the humpbacked hybrid. And while the result may not be any quicker than the standard model, it certainly is a heck of a lot easier on the eye.

That's largely thanks to Mugen's surprisingly dynamic aero kit, which consists of a front spoiler extension and replacement grille, a set of sideskirts, a rear under-spoiler and a wing that draws much inspiration from the Japanese-market FD2 Civic Type R.

Developed using extensive wind-tunnel tests, Mugen's Insight bodykit apparently produces zero lift and helps improve the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the car - which is good, considering there are virtually no power mods to speak of.

The only concession to eking out more grunt from that hybrid drivetrain is a stainless steel rear muffler, which sports an unusually-shaped - albeit aerodynamically efficient - triangular tip. Handling, however, has been properly addressed by a set of revalved shocks and stiffer springs, although these parts won't be available until later this year.

Buyers can also choose from a set of 15-inch lightweight racing rims or a quartet of slightly showier 16-inch boots, with both designs boasting a width of 6.5 inches and offsets of +50mm and +53-55mm respectively.

There are myriad other parts available too, although most - like the Mugen-branded licence plate bolts - are merely cosmetic. Interested parties should note too that these parts carry a hefty premium, with even the smaller 15-inch wheels featuring a pricetag of ¥29,400 ($484 AUD) per wheel.

Factor-in shipping from Japan (the only country where these parts are on sale) and pimping your Insight suddenly becomes a rather expensive affair. Still, what price do you place on having the coolest modified hybrid on the block?