Honda Insight : First Look

Jay Williams - 25/November/2010

Tokyo, Japan - Honda has launched its latest petrol hybrid vehicle in Australia - the second-generation Honda Insight.

Borrowing design elements from the original Insight, the second-generation Insight features a sleek, futuristic look and flat under-body, creating great aerodynamics that reduce drag.

Powering the new Insight is a 1.3-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol-electric engine with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) which when combined, produce 72kW at 5800 rpm and 167Nm of torque at 1000-1700 rpm. Which is mated to a  continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The electric motor, positioned between the engine and the continuously variable transmission, contributes up to 10 kilowatts at 1,500 rpm and 78 Newton metres at 1000 rpm to the Insight’s powertrain, assisting in acceleration and cruising at low-to-mid vehicle speeds (depending on conditions) as well as re-capturing energy from the vehicle's forward momentum during braking.

AThe seven-module battery system is comprised of 84 individual 1.2 volt cells for a total battery system output of 100.8 volts and a capacity of 5.75 ampere-hours. Compared to the fourth-generation IMA battery technology in the 2006 Civic Hybrid, power output per module is 30 percent higher, allowing for a decrease in modules from 11 to 7. The changes allowed the overall IPU size to be reduced by 19 percent and overall weight by 28 percent. This decreased size and weight along with the corresponding reduced use of materials have also resulted in a battery with a lower lifetime environmental burden.

Honda's new Insight also introduces an all-new Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) to help drivers achieve better fuel economy. Eco Assist is a driver-selected fuel efficiency feature. Pressing the ECON button enhances the Insight’s efficiency, altering throttle control, CVT operation, idle stop duration, air-conditioning and cruise control.

Eco Assist also provides driving style coaching via a 3D background within the speedometer that changes colour to reflect how efficiently the driver is accelerating and braking. Results are continuously tracked as fuel economy ratings and are shown per drive on a lifetime basis in the form of trees and leaves that appear in the Multi-Information Display. Up to five leaves can be ‘earned’ when the driver achieves a fuel-efficient driving style.

Standard features VTi and VTi-L

Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Dual front, side and curtain airbags
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
ABS brakes with EBD and Brake Assist
Eco Assist and ECON button
Cruise control
Keyless entry, answerback and immobiliser
Security alarm
Climate control air-conditioning
15 inch alloy wheels (temporary spare tyre)
Tilt and telescopic steering
Body coloured bumper, door mirrors and handles
Front variable/intermittent wipers
Auto up/down front window (driver’s side)
Multi Information Display
Seatbelt reminders
Halogen headlights
Six speaker audio system with CD and MP3 compatibility with steering mounted controls
USB port and auxiliary jack
Cloth trim
Passenger seat back pocket
60/40 split fold seats
Vanity mirror (driver)
Five 3-point seatbelts (rear with ALR and ELR)
Rear seat armrest with cup holder
Steering mounted paddle shifts
Luggage cover
Bluetooth
Reversing sensors

Insight VTi-L - in addition to VTi

Front auto wipers
Side indicators on door mirror
Auto up/down front window (driver and passenger)
Auto on/off headlights
Driver and front passenger seat pocket
Leather steering wheel
16 inch alloy wheels
Front fog lights
Satellite Navigation system with integrated Bluetooth,
DVD player and reversing camera

Related Links:
- Spoon Sports Honda Sport Hybrid CR-Z (2010)
- Honda Civic Type R (Road Test)
- Honda Hybrid CR-Z (2010)
- Honda Accord V6 (Road Test)
- Honda Civic Si (Road Test)
- Honda Insight (2009)
- Honda FC Sport (2008)
- Honda City (2009)
- Honda Life Mugen (2008)
- Honda Jazz (Road Test)
- Honda Civic Hybrid (Road Test)
- Honda Insight Concept (2008)
- Honda Civic Type R MUGEN (2009)
- Mugen Honda Civic Type R 3D: New Pictures (2009)
- Mugen Honda Civic Type-RR (2008)