This iconic 1G Honda Insight once belonged to Tun Dr. Mahathir, for sale at RM 38.8k

To untrained eyes, this odd-looking first-generation Honda Insight is just an ugly, 20-year old two-seater that is asking for too much money – RM 38,800, enough for a new Perodua Axia. Those in the know however, will immediately jump off their seat and start messaging friends who know more about this car’s history, which was exactly what yours truly did.

See, this first generation (1G) Honda Insight was, as John Travolta calls it, the Cadillac of Hybrids. It was not the first series production hybrid (that honours goes to the Toyota Prius), but it was first hybrid to be sold in the US, in 1999, which also explains why this quirky Insight is seen as an icon there.

Its wind-cheating Kammback tail and flushed fenders covering the rear wheels are instrumental in keeping aerodynamic drag to its minimum, helping the Insight achieve a claimed fuel consumption of 4.4-litre/100 km (US EPA test cycle).

Power comes from a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder naturally aspirated VTEC engine, boosted by a 10 kW motor. It showed the way for Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) mild-hybrid technology.

While the Leonardo DiCaprio’s Prius was a practical four-door sedan, the Insight, being a Honda, was developed with fun in mind, and it had a 2-door coupe styling.

The Insight’s drivetrain concept was first previewed in the 1997 Honda JV-X concept, which had lightweight ultracapacitors instead of heavy batteries. Unfortunately, the costly ultracapacitors didn’t make it into production.

Look closely and you will see that the JV-X’s styling would culminate in the Honda CR-Z.

Ultimately, the Prius would win the hybrid wars of the early 2000s, by a very wide margin too, going on to become the world’s best-selling hybrid.

The Prius had a more sensible 4-door package, and despite being heavier and had a slightly poorer 4.9-litre / 100 km fuel consumption, American buyers found the Prius to be a reasonable alternative to the Corolla, while the Honda Insight was too quirky.

The Insight was expensive too, selling at around USD 20,000, same as the Prius, but with less utility. However history don't hold cars in high regard just because they are practical, so the first generation Prius is largely forgotten today but collectors are seeing renewed interest in the first generetion Honda Insight.

This red unit bearing registration number WHU 2020 was one of two units imported by Honda Malaysia in 2001 – one red, one green - for its internal use and study. These cars were used to demonstrate the benefits of hybrid technology to industry stakeholders and government bodies.

Chips Yap of Piston.my once did a fuel economy challenge in this exact same red car seen in the pictures. His article can still be found in AutoWorld’s archives.

WHU 2020 was later given to the then Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir. The Prime Minister already had many cars given to him (some are still rotting away at Galeri Sri Perdana), and since he is the country’s Prime Minister, it would be impolite for him to decline a gift, but he also felt that it was not appropriate to go about his duties in anything other than a Proton Perdana. Back then, ministers walked the talk about supporting local products.

Also read: It's not all Vellfires and Alphards, we try to figure out what all 222 (incumbent) Malaysian MPs drive

As Honda Insight WHU 2020 lay abandoned, reportedly parked in storage in Cyberjaya, Honda Malaysia’s lobbying efforts culminated in the waiver of import and excise tax for hybrid vehicles with engine capacities below 2,000 cc.

Between 2010 to 2011, qualified hybrid vehicles enjoyed a 50 percent discount on import and excise tax, which was later expanded into a 100 percent waiver. This lasted until 2013.

Honda Malaysia took full advantage of this, expanding its hybrid models line-up to three. Prior to this, its sole hybrid model was the FD generation Honda Civic Hybrid, launched in 2006.

The second-generation Honda Insight was launched in Malaysia in December 2010. Taking full advantage of the 100 percent duty exemption from 2011, it was priced at RM 98,000, despite being imported (CBU) from Japan. The Honda CR-Z would follow later.

Many of these early Honda hybrids are still on the road today – a testament of the vehicles’ reliability.

Also read: Used hybrids are really cheap, so should you buy a used Toyota Prius, Camry Hybrid or Honda Insight?

After being stored away for many years, Tun Dr. Mahathir returned the car to Honda Malaysia and WHU 2020 was parked at Honda's then head office in PJ, on grounds that is today’s The Gasket Alley.

Honda Malaysia saw a succession of leaders and every year, WHU 2020 faded further away from the company’s collective memories. The original team members involved in the project had either moved on with their career in other companies or retired, the new generation of management members weren’t too sure of what to do with the abandoned 1G Insight that they had no use for.

At some point, WHU 2020 was auctioned off, obviously in a terrible state. We weren’t too sure who bought the car but obviously he / she had done a rather fine job of restoring it.

Yesterday, WHU 2020 unexpectedly popped up in Ipoh. Akash Classics is a well-known classic car specialist in the Northern region and operates out of Ipoh’s upscale Canning Garden suburb.

The seller is offering this piece of Malaysian motoring history for just RM 38,800. The asking price is rather low, considering that this car still carries its original number plate that was at one time, owned by Tun Dr. Mahathir.

Interested collectors should take a look at the car. At time of publishing, the ad is still up and can be viewed here.

Sharp-eyed readers will remember that it was mentioned earlier in the article that Honda Malaysia imported two units, so what happened to the other car?

It’s hard to trace back events that happened more than 20 years ago, but based on unverified information (memories can be fuzzy), the second car, a green one, was donated to an automotive training college in Petaling Jaya. At point of publishing, we cannot verify if the car is still with the college.

At least the fate of Honda Insight WHU 2020 was a lot better than the first-generation Toyota Prius donated by UMW Toyota Motor to the National Science Centre, which is now rotting away at the centre’s outdoor car park.

Also read: What’s an abandoned first-gen Toyota Prius doing at Pusat Sains Negara?

Today, Honda Malaysia sells 3 hybrid models – City, City Hatchback, HR-V. All these models will be joined soon by the Civic hybrid.

All Honda hybrid models sold here are locally-assembled in Pegoh, Melaka.

Below is a video by former 5th Gear's Johnny Smith on why the original Honda Insight failed in the new car marketplace then, but is winning in today's classic car market, and why he couldn't let go of this Insight that he used to own.

If you are looking for a cheap, reliable, fuel-efficient used car, start your search here. What about maintenance? There are plenty of hybrid specialists today but the most professional that we've come across is Mili Auto Hybrid in Kajang. Their workshop is neat, almost on par with an authorised 3S centre, and they are appointed by the Department of Skills Development to do training on hybrid and EV maintenance and repair.