Already on sale in North America, Honda’s Insight is slated for local introduction following its Melbourne Motor Show appearance.
Like the Toyota Prius, the Insight is a genuine five-door, five-passenger hatchback that combines the latest hybrid technology, practicality and convenience for every day driving and good driving dynamics. Like the Prius, Insight drivers don’t need to compromise driving enjoyment and performance to be eco-smart.
A good-looking, contemporary design, Honda claimes the Insight’s aerodynamic body delivers the world’s best coefficient of drag for five-passenger production cars – cD 0.28.
Honda is also claiming class-leading luggage capacity of 408 litres.
Insight is powered by Honda’s spritely 1.3-litre I-VTEC petrol engine with the company’s proprietary Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology.
While Honda has been producing Civics in Japan with IMA hybrid powerplants for over a decade, the Insight advances the technology with the DC brushless motor some 15 per cent lighter and 22 per cent thinner than its predecessor.
Modules of the high-output nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery now have 30 per cent more output, so their number has reduced from 11 to seven, resulting in a battery pack which is 31 per cent smaller and 35 per cent lighter.
A Power Control Unit (PCU) controls the power assist and electrical regeneration functions of the electric motor.
The PCU and battery combine to form the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) and the total package size of this combined technology is 19 per cent more compact and 28 per cent lighter than the Civic, allowing placement beneath the Insight’s rear cargo area for enhanced overall packaging.
Drive is to the front wheels via Honda’s Multimatic S continuously variable transmission. Stability control is standard.
In braking, acceleration and cruising the Insight optimises engine valve operation in the petrol engine and assistance from the electric motor to maximise energy efficiency and minimise fuel consumption. Like the Prius, the Insight has idle stop meaning you don’t waste petrol while sitting stationary in traffic etc.
Inside on the instrument panel is Honda’s overall control system called Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) to help Insight drivers monitor and adjust their engines. Functions include:
- ECON MODE – delivers maximum fuel efficiency by adjusting engine output, extending idle stop duration, increases regenerative battery charging during deceleration and adjusts the air-conditioning functionality
- GUIDANCE FUNCTION – assesses acceleration and braking operation by the driver and changes the background colour of the speedometer to indicate how fuel-efficient your driving style is – you can then adjust your style to achieve better fuel efficiency
- SCORING FUNCTION – delivers a lifetime performance for the Insight so drivers can monitor their long-term driving habits against fuel-efficiency
Just like Toyota’s development of the Prius, Honda’s engineering skills with the Insight were focussed on delivering a hybrid that is easy to use every day. It’s smartly packaged for maximum family convenience, it’s nice to drive and the technology is simple to use.
We should all be considering a car like this when next we buy./p>
