Honda has unveiled a concept of its affordable family hybrid car, which is on display at the Paris Motor Show.

The production version goes on sale in spring 2009, and Honda says it will be priced significantly lower than any other hybrid car on the market, making petrol-electric technology accessible to more people.

The car will be named Insight, reviving the name of the 1999 hybrid coupe — the first production hybrid car to be sold in Europe.

Takeo Fukui, president and CEO of Honda Motor Company, said: “The original Honda Insight launched in 1999, was the pioneer of hybrid technology in Europe and remains an iconic symbol of Honda’s environmental innovation.

“This new Insight will also break new ground by providing an affordable hybrid to an expanded number of customers craving great fuel economy and great value.”

The price will be announced at a later date.

Honda says the Insight will be a five-door family hatchback, capable of carrying five people and will be smaller than the Honda Civic Hybrid.

The Insight is based on a completely new platform and takes many exterior styling cues from the FCX Clarity, Honda’s hydrogen-powered fuel cell car, which is being leased to customers in the United States.

The control unit and battery for the IMA system are mounted beneath the boot space to give the Insight both a low centre of gravity and the practicality of a conventionally-powered hatchback.

Honda aims to sell 200,000 Insights a year, globally and over the next few years, Honda will also launch a sporty hybrid, a Jazz Hybrid and a new Civic Hybrid, with hybrids eventually making up ten per cent of sales.