Australia's first hybrid vehicle approved

The Federal Department of Transport has given Honda approval to start selling its new hybrid car in Australia.

The new vehicle will be named the Insight and will take advantage of both electric and fossil fuels to power it.

The Insight will hit Australian showrooms on March 5 and is already being touted as the world’s most efficient petrol-powered production car by the American Environment Protection Agency. Not a bad showing.

Taking advantage of a 995cc 12-Valve single overhead-cam VTEC-E, Lean-Burn petrol engine, the Insight delivers amazing fuel economy. Couple this with a Permanent Magnet electric motor pumping out an additional 10kW and you have yourself one very clean machine.

It's safe, too. With ABS and twin front airbags, you'll be able to drive without worry. Three-point seat-belts round out the safety features.

Honda is claiming the Insight consumes less than half the fuel of similar-sized small cars. The new engine reduces fuel consumption, but improved aerodynamics and a low-weight body also help. Just try to ignore the horrid styling (is it a Honda CRX or a Citroën Xsara?) and remember how efficient this new car is.

The official Australian Standard fuel consumption figures state that the Insight drinks 3.6 litres of fuel per 100km in city driving.

This is simply astounding, even more so when you compare it with the Toyota Corolla's 8lt/100km and the Ford Falcon's 11.5lt/100km. In lighter traffic, the new Honda hybrid car achieves 2.8lt/100km.

The key to such a clean and economic vehicle is the combination of these two power sources. The electric motor draws its power from 120 Nickel Metal Hydride battery cells at 1.2v each (144v). In all, the vehicle produces 67hp at 5700rpm.

Using front-wheel drive and a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Insight's electric motor will not need external charging. This is due to advances made by the Honda engineers whereby the battery that powers the electric motor is recharged during braking. It recaptures energy usually lost in the form of brake heat.

The Honda Insight will be showcased at the Melbourne International Motor Show on March 1 as the first hybrid car to meet Australian Design Rules. No price has been given yet, but the money saved on fuel alone should warrant the price of admission.