Revealed in prototype form at the Paris Auto show back in October, the production version of the 2009 Honda Insight wasn’t scheduled to debut until January 2009 at the Detroit auto show. Obviously unable to contain their excitement with their new Prius-pounder (only sounds dirty if you’re into drum circles and smoking hashish), Honda decided to jump the NAIAS gun just a tad by leaking official images of the new, 2009 Honda Insight. Described by Honda as an elongated version of the super fuel-efficient, super tiny Honda FiT, the 2009 Honda Insight is rumored to average a whopping 71 mpg – although official numbers have yet to be released.

Full gallery after the jump

While the amusingly similar design qualities alone are enough to wipe the smug fascia right off the Prius, the biggest rub isn’t the borderline patent violation, but rather the 2009 Honda Insight’s price tag. While the 2009 Toyota Prius is listed with a base price of $22,000, the 2009 Honda Insight will be available for a cool $18,500 – essentially offering the same vehicle for a couple grand less.

Ouch, we felt that burn all the way over here.