Honda Announces 'Insight' Hybrid

Honda Motor Co Ltd unveiled the "Insight" hybrid vehicle Feb 5, 2009. Pricing starts at ¥1,890,000 (approx US$20,700) for basic models.

"Our target was to develop a hybrid vehicle that anyone could afford," Honda Presindet Takeo Fukui said.

This is the first vehicle that is mounted with the new-generation hybrid system developed by Honda.

Honda aims to sell 5,000 vehicles per month. The Insight will be manufactured at its Suzuka plant and released Feb 6, 2009, in Japan. It will be released at the end of March 2009 in Europe and at the beginning of April 2009 in the US. The company expects to sell 200,000 units per year throughout the world, of which 100,000 are expected to be sold in the US.

The new-generation hybrid system is planned to be incorporated in the CR-Z-based sporty vehicle, which will be released in 2010, as well as the FIT and the Civic Hybrid.

The dimensions of the Insight are 4,390 (L) x 1,695 (W) x 1,425mm (H), and its wheel base is 2,550mm. The vehicle, which has a total width of less than 1,700mm, is classified as a "five number (small size)" vehicle.

In addition, the secondary battery and the control unit, which were mounted behind the rear seats in previous models, were moved to the area below the luggage compartment. Because of this modification, the rear seat space can be now used as a luggage space by folding down the rear seats.

For cost reduction, the Insight was designed on the basis of the Fit platform, using existing body framing and parts.

The hybrid system consists of a 1.3L engine, a motor and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The engine features a maximum output of 65kW (88PS) and a maximum torque of 121N·m. And the motor has a maximum output of 10kW (14PS) and a maximum torque of 78N·m.

The fuel economy is 26.0km/L under the JC08 test mode and 30km/L under the 10·15 test mode. The Eco Assist (Ecological Drive Assist System) was employed to enhance the fuel economy.

MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

24 Hours | 7 Days