Recently I've taken interest in getting another Insight. Fuel prices are on the rise, and 58mpg highway from the convertible just doesn't cut it for the occasional weekend trip. Plus, there have been some interesting developments in the Insight community.
Example:
https://www.insightcentral.net/threa...oldest#replies
Essentially, what's available now is the ability to use lithium batteries, and to fully control the IMA (hybrid) system. It can even be operated without an engine running, or even attached - it's fully independent from the engine ECU. 12kwh of lithium batteries fit in the same space as the OEM ~1kwh nickel battery, for very little extra weight, and could give something like 2 hours of continuous mild electric assist. I foresee 200mpg+ tanks being possible on road trips, with negligible electricity use. The price is also reasonable, with everything (except the car) coming in potentially under $3,000usd.
I've begun inquiring locally about batteries and looking for a suitable car to build. Unfortunately, Insights are extremely rare in New Zealand, with perhaps only 25 ever having been imported here.
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Further down the road, it's possible to change the engine out while maintaining a fully functional hybrid system, that can even stop/start a donor engine. Any Honda L series should bolt up, possibly even including the 1.5L turbo in the recent Civic and Accord, or the Atkinson cycle 4 pot from Honda's other hybrids. I'd also have my pick of any L series transmission to bolt to the other side of the transmission. The CR-Z's 6 speed looks promising, though it would be in want of a taller final drive gear.
A wild idea, but with an adapter plate between engine and transmission, a Honda K series turbo plug-in hybrid would even be possible, though I have no idea what I'd do with it.