Honda's new Insight hybrid made its world debut at the recent Detroit Motor Show.
The 2009 Insight defines a new stage in the evolution of hybrid technology by utilising a more cost-efficient version of Honda’s integrated motor assist technology, resulting in combined fuel economy of 4.4 litre/100km and CO2 emissions of just 101g/km. The car will go on sale in Ireland next April.
Commenting on the debut of the Insight, Honda Motor Europe president Shigeru Takagi said: “Honda has been selling hybrids for almost a decade, but this is the first time our technology has been available in a five-seat, five door car at an affordable price.
“ The Insight combines our award winning IMA hybrid system with an easy to use driver aid (eco assist ) to help our customers maximise their real world fuel economy. By combining an electric motor with a highly efficient petrol engine, the Insight offers drivers not only low CO2 emission. It also has low emissions of other greenhouse gasses like N2O.”
The five-door hatchback design takes some of the styling cues, as well as the aerodynamically efficient profile, from the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell car. To complement the sleek profile, the Insight has been designed with a low centre of gravity and a spacious five-passenger cabin, giving customers a balance of fine handling and a highly flexible interior.
In order to help Insight owners enjoy the full benefits of Honda hybrid technology, the Insight will feature a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology, named the ecological drive assist system.
Eco Assist combines multiple functions:
- A driver-activated ECON mode that optimises control of the continuously variable transmission, engine and related powertrain components to conserve fuel;
- and a driver feedback function that uses speedometer background colour that can provide real-time guidance on achieving higher fuel efficiency;
- finally, a fuel economy scoring function that provides feedback about current driving efficiency, as well as feedback on cumulative, long-term driving style.
Key safety features are advanced compatibility engineering, which provides improved protection for vehicle occupants and helps mitigate damage to other vehicles; dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, front-side airbags with a passenger-side occupant position detection system, and a side curtain airbag system; and a pedestrian-injury mitigation front body design.
Other standard equipment on all new Insights includes 60/40 split and fold-down rear seatback, two-tier digital instrument panel, automatic climate control, power windows, vehicle stability assist, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel, and an MP3 compatible audio system with auxiliary audio input jack and speed-sensitive volume control.
High specification Insight models add cruise control, six-speaker audio system with USB audio interface, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters, and Honda satellite navigation system with voice recognition.
All Insights are powered by an advanced 1.3-litre SOHC aluminium-alloy i-VTEC engine mated to a continuously variable transmission gearbox. The conventional engine is assisted by a new generation of Honda’s IMA hybrid system for excellent fuel economy and low emissions.
The Insight’s IMA system incorporates a 14bhp electric motor, advanced battery pack, and compact intelligent power unit – recapturing kinetic energy from vehicle braking and deceleration and supplying additional power for acceleration when needed. Packaging of the ultra-compact IMA battery and IPU in the vehicle’s rear floor allows the enhanced utility of a 60/40 split and fold-down rear seat back.
The IMA system has the capability to operate exclusively on electric power in certain low- to mid-speed driving conditions. It also provides for cylinder deactivation within the petrol engine during deceleration and shutoff when the vehicle is stopped.
