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Honda Insight
The Honda Insight Hybrid happens to be the first gasoline electric hybrid vehicle offered for retail sale in the United States. Built from a modified version of Honda's popular CRX platform, introduced for the 1999 model year. Honda has announced that production will end in September 2006. According to Honda [1], it will be replaced by a new hybrid car smaller than the Civic.
The Insight pairs a three-cylinder gasoline engine with a brushless electric motor located on the crankshaft. Behind the driver's and the passenger's seats there is a set of 144 V NiMH batteries. Under heavy acceleration, the electric motor provides additional power while during deceleration, the motor acts as a generator and recharges the batteries using a process called regenerative braking. A computer control module regulates how much power comes from the internal combustion engine and electric motor, to find the optimal combination of power or effeciency from the driver inputs. The current battery charge is shown on the dashboard, as is the instantaneous fuel efficiency and current state of the electric motor -- whether it is assisting the engine or charging the batteries.
See WikiCars' comprehensive Honda Insight Hybrid Review.
Recent Changes
The Honda Insight is nearing the end of its design lifecycle. redesigned from the inside out for 2007. Honda Size of the '07 Camry has increased with a 2.2 inch longer wheelbase and a 1.2 inch wider front and rear track, which increased the interior capacity to over 101 cubic feet.
For more information see: Honda Insight.
Styles and Major Options
Insight features include:
- 1.0 Liter 3-Cylinder Engine with Integrated Motor Assist, producing 73 Horsepower.
- Idle stop feature
- Fronte wheel drive
- Available Continously Variable Transmission CVT.
Insight Options
Air Conditioning Package:
- Available with manual transmission.
Climate Control Package:
- Available with Continuously Variable Transmission CVT.
Pricing
- The Insight retails for MSRP $19,330 and carries a $550 delivery fee, giving it a base price of $19,880.
- U.S. tax credit is $1,460 for CVT models purchased prior to December 31, 2010.
Gas Mileage
The Honda Insight when equiped with the 5-speed manual transmission offers an exceptional EPA rating of 60 MPG City and 66 MPG Highway.Actual mileage may vary. [2]
Reliability
Safety
Photos
Colors
The 2006 Honda Insight is available in the following colors:
Main Competitors
Unique Attributes
- The Insight cannot run on its electric motor alone, although it does have the ability to automatically turn off its gasoline engine when the vehicle is at a stop (and restart it upon movement). Since it is more powerful (10 kW) than most starters of conventional cars, the Insight's electric motor can start the engine nearly instantaneously.
- 8-year/100,000-mile drivetrain-related component coverage. Longer coverage in CA, MA, NY, NJ, VT, CT, ME, NH and RI: 15-year/150,000-mile coverage with the exception of the hybrid battery. The hybrid battery is warranted for 10 years/150,000 miles.
