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Honda Insight
The Honda Insight was the first gasoline electric hybrid vehicle offered for retail sale in the United States. Built from a modified version of Honda's popular Honda Civic 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.
Recent Changes
The Insight is nearing the end of its design life-cycle. 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
- Front wheel drive
- Available Continously Variable Transmission CVT.
Insight Options
- Air Conditioning (available with manual transmission).
- Automatic Climate Control (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 Insight can attain an EPA rating of 60 MPG City and 66 MPG Highway when equiped with the 5-speed manual transmission. Actual mileage may vary. [2]
Reliability
Safety
Photos
Colors
The 2006 Insight is available in the following paint colors:
- Navy Blue Pearl
- Formula Red
- Silverstone Metallic
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.
