Honda Insight

Honda Insight

Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1999–2006 2008–present
Model year(s)	2000–2006 2010–present
Assembly	Suzuka, Mie, Japan
Class	Subcompact car (2000–2006) Compact car (2010–present)
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback (2000–2006) 5-door hatchback (2010–present)
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive

The Honda Insight is a hybrid electric vehicle manufactured by Honda and the first production vehicle to feature Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system. The first-generation Insight was produced from 1999 to 2006 as a three-door hatchback.^{[1] [2]}

Honda introduced the second-generation Insight in its home nation of Japan in February 2009, with releases in other markets expected through 2009. The new Insight went on sale in the U.S. on April 22, 2009.^[3] At $19,800 as a five-door hatchback it is the least expensive hybrid available in the US.^[4] The Insight is listed on Honda's UK website with prices starting at £15,490 (otr). Honda's Insight, billed as the cheapest gas-electric hybrid on the market, ranked as the top-selling vehicle in Japan for April 2009—the first time a hybrid has clinched that spot.^[5]

First generation (2000–2006)

First generation

Production start	December 1999
Production end	September 2006
Model year(s)	2000–2006
Assembly	Suzuka, Mie, Japan
Successor	Honda Insight (second generation) Honda Civic Hybrid
Class	Subcompact car
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback
Engine(s)	Honda Hybrid System Gasoline: 1 L ECA series I3 (995 cc (60.7 cu in)) lean-burn 12-valve SOHC 70 hp (52 kW) Electric: 144 V 13 hp (9.7 kW) ULEV/SULEV
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual CVT (2001–2006)
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94 in)
Length	3,945 mm (155.3 in)
Width	1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,355 mm (53.3 in)
Curb weight	Manual w/o AC 838 kg (1,850 lb) Manual w/ AC 852 kg (1,880 lb) CVT w/ AC 891 kg (1,960 lb)

History

Based on the Honda J-VX concept car unveiled at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, the Insight was introduced in December 1999 ^[1] and was the first production vehicle to feature Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system. The Insight was the first hybrid sold in North America. It featured optimized aerodynamics and a lightweight aluminum structure to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize emissions.

Total global sales for the first generation Insight were less than 18,000 units^[6] (or even less than 14,000 units according to other sources^[7]).

Design

Honda Insight rear

The Honda Insight was a subcompact hatchback 3,945 mm (155.3 in) in length with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm (94.5 in) a height of 1,355 mm (53.3 in) and a width of 1,695 mm (66.7 in). The Insight was only available as a two-seater. Only three different trims were available: a manual transmission without air-conditioning, a manual transmission with air-conditioning, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with air-conditioning. Although produced until 2006, the only major change was the introduction of a trunk mounted, front controlled, multiple CD changer.

One key in increasing the vehicle's fuel efficiency was reducing the mass via the extensive use of aluminum and plastic. Honda built the insight with aluminum front brake calipers and rear brake drums; the fuel tank was plastic; the engine mounts were aluminum; and the exhaust was a small, thin wall pipe.^[8] The Insight weighed 1,847 lb (838 kg) in manual transmission form or 1,964 lb (891 kg) with CVT and air conditioning. The combination of materials and design gave the Insight body structure 13 percent more bending strength and 38 percent more torsional rigidity than a comparably-sized steel body, despite weighing 40 percent less.

The New York Times wrote that the Insight's styling "suggested Popeye's pal, Olive Oyl, in her ankle-length dress. The rear fender skirts seemed frumpy."^[9]

Technology

Honda Insight IMA

The gasoline engine is a 70 hp (52 kW; 71 PS), 1-liter, ECA series 3-cylinder unit providing lean burn operation with an air fuel ratio that can reach 25.8 to 1.^[10] The electrical motor assist adds in another 10 kW (13 hp) when called on, and similarly provides significant deceleration when used in regenerative mode for braking. (This both improves fuel efficiency and also dramatically extends the lifetime of brakes). When the car is not moving, for example, at a stop light, the engine shuts off. The digital displays on the dashboard display fuel consumption instantaneously. On the manual transmission up and down arrows suggest when to shift gears. The Insight uses the first generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology. (The next generation, used in the Honda Civic Hybrid, is much more space-efficient.) The Insight has a 3-cylinder 1.0 L (61 cu in) engine and a brushless 10-kW electric motor located on the crankshaft.^[8] Located behind the seats are a series of commercial grade "D" sized NiMH batteries wired to provide a nominal 144 V DC. During heavy acceleration, up to 100 Amps are pulled from the NiMH batteries, the electric motor provides additional power; during deceleration, the motor acts as a generator and recharges the batteries using a process called regenerative braking, charging them with up to 50 Amps of current. A computer control module regulates how much power comes from the internal combustion engine, and how much from the electric motor; in the CVT variant, it also finds the optimal gear ratio. Dashboard gauges monitor the current battery, instantaneous fuel consumption and mode of the electric motor — standby, engine assist or charging the batteries.

High pressure, low rolling resistance tires and the use of low viscosity "0w-20" synthetic oil both enhance fuel economy.

The original Insight had a conventional manual transmission. Starting with the 2001 model, a CVT variant of the Insight was available; the CVT is similar to that used in the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Honda Logo. A feature shared by the two hybrids (and now appearing in others) is the ability to automatically turn off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop (and restart it upon movement). Since it is more powerful than most starters of conventional cars, the Insight's electric motor can start the engine nearly instantaneously.

The Integrated Motor Assist is run by an "Intelligent Power Unit (IPU)", a desktop computer-sized box. The Intelligent Power Unit, the Power control Unit, the Electronic Control Unit, the vehicle's batteries, converter and a high-voltage inverter are all located under the cargo floor of the vehicle, behind the seats.^[8]

To maximize fuel efficiency, the Insight was very aerodynamic. The Insight had one of the lowest coefficients of drag of any marketed automobile, giving it a coefficient of 0.25.

The Insight was available with a manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission. A traditional transmission shifts between a fixed set of engine-to-wheel ratios; however, a CVT allows for an infinite set of ratios between its lowest gear and its highest. The CVT-equipped Insight was classified as a super-low emissions vehicle.^[11]

The Insight features low emissions: the California Air Resources Board gave the 5-speed model a ULEV rating, and the CVT model earned a SULEV rating – 5-speed model charismatic lean-burn ability was a trade-off for increased efficiency at the expense of slightly higher NOx emissions.

Manufacturing

The Insight was assembled at the Honda factory in Suzuka, Japan,^[12] where the Honda NSX and the Honda S2000 were also assembled. The Insight and the NSX are aluminum-bodied, while the S2000 employs a steel body.

At the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda introduced the concept car Honda IMAS, an extremely fuel-efficient and lightweight hybrid car made of aluminum and carbon fiber, which was perceived by most observers to be the future direction where the Insight is heading.

Having aluminum body and frame, Insight was an expensive car to produce and was never designed for high-volume sales.^[13] Instead it was designed to be a real world test car for hybrid technology and a gauge to new consumer driving habits. With an aerodynamic fuel-saving shape similar to Audi A2, and some unconventional body colors it was a bit more than mainstream car buyers could handle, preferring more conservative styles.^[7] Company sold fewer than 2,000 Insights in 2005, and fewer than 1,000 through September 2006^[14] when the first generation Insight production was officially ended. Production halt was announced in May 2006, along with plans to replace Insight with a new hybrid car, smaller than the eighth generation Civic, but not earlier than in 2009.^[2] Ahead of this announcement, Honda stopped selling Insight in the UK, for example, as early as December 2005.^[15] While year-round production of the Insight stopped in 2006, limited production would continue as necessary through the end of 2006, presumably for parts.^[7]

To fill in the market niche void, in 2002 Honda rolled out a hybrid version of the Honda Civic – Honda Civic Hybrid, followed by Toyota's relaunch of the Prius in 2003.

US market

The Insight was the first mass-produced hybrid automobile sold in the United States, achieving 70 miles per US gallon (3.4 L/100 km; 84 mpg_-imp) per its then current United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highway rating.^[6] Insight was introduced in US at a price of just under US$20,000. Other hybrids soon followed, with the Toyota Prius arriving in June 2000.

Fuel efficiency

The car remained the most fuel efficient machine available in the U.S. while it was produced and is still the leader of any current mass market car.^[6] The Insight earned an EPA fuel efficiency estimate of 70 miles per US gallon (3.4 L/100 km; 84 mpg_-imp) in highway driving, 61 mpg_-US (3.9 L/100 km; 73 mpg_-imp) city. With air conditioning it was 66 mpg_-US (3.6 L/100 km; 79 mpg_-imp)/60 mpg_-US (3.9 L/100 km; 72 mpg_-imp). With a CVT it was 57 mpg_-US (4.1 L/100 km; 68 mpg_-imp)/56 mpg_-US (4.2 L/100 km; 67 mpg_-imp). Insight aficionados who are "hypermilers" compete to eke out as many miles as possible from a tank^[16].

Upon the Insight's release, Honda challenged several automotive magazines to a competition^[6] to see who could obtain the best fuel efficiency on the 195-mile (314 km) drive from Columbus, Ohio to Detroit. The contest was won by Car and Driver magazine, which rigged a box behind a Ford Excursion, and had the Insight drive within the confines of the box. With much less wind resistance, the Insight made the trip with a fuel consumption of 121.7 miles per US gallon (1.933 L/100 km; 146.2 mpg_-imp), while averaging 58 miles per hour (93 km/h). A two-year test of an Insight with air conditioning, driven 40,000 miles (64,000 km), averaged 48 miles per US gallon (4.9 L/100 km; 58 mpg_-imp)^{[citation needed]}.

Usage incentives

Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 in the United States, the Honda Insight was eligible for a US$1,450 tax credit.^[17]

In California, the state with the most-stringent fuel economy standards, the manual-transmission Insight was rated as an ultra-low-emission vehicle and the CVT transmission was rated Super-ultra-low-emission vehicle.^[18]

Cars registered in the UK after 2001 qualified for free road tax because of their low CO2 emissions (2000 registered cars would be taxed on the lower rate of the old system based on engine size). As a Hybrid the Insight also qualifies for an exemption from the London Congestion Charge.

Replacement battery pack

As of October 2009, as part of a class-action suit settlement, Honda had extended the warranty of these batteries on cars with up to 157,000 miles (253,000 km) of use, or 10 years, for cars registered in certain warm states only.^{[citation needed]} As of 1 June 2008, the replacement battery costs US$1,968 and installation is around US$900.^[19]

As of 2008, independent mechanics have been known to replace Insight batteries with either Prius sub-packs or Civic Hybrid subpacks. A US$300 used NiMH battery from another more mass produced HEV can be used to build a replacement Insight battery pack. Other independent mechanics have been reconditioning their old Insight battery packs to correct wear and tear issues. Reconditioning allows correction of some issues at lower cost than rebuilding a replacement pack from other used packs.^{[citation needed]}

Second generation (2010–present)

Second generation

Also called	Honda Insight Hybrid
Model year(s)	2010–
Assembly	Suzuka, Mie, Japan
Predecessor	Honda Insight (2000–2006) Honda Civic Hybrid
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	5-door hatchback
Engine(s)	Honda Hybrid System with Eco Assist Gasoline: 1.3 L LDA series I4 (1,339 cc (81.7 cu in)) 8-valve SOHC i-VTEC 98 hp (73 kW) @ 5800 rpm 123 lb·ft (167 N·m) @ 1000–1700 rpm Electric: DC brushless motor 13 hp (9.7 kW) @ 1500 rpm 58 lb·ft (79 N·m) @ 1000 rpm ULEV/AT-PZEV
Transmission(s)	CVT
Wheelbase	2,552 mm (100.5 in)
Length	4,390 mm (173 in)
Width	1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,425 mm (56.1 in)
Curb weight	1,237 kg (2,730 lb)
Fuel capacity	40 L (8.8 imp gal)
Related	Honda Jazz/Fit II Honda City V Honda Freed

Honda named its new upcoming dedicated global small hybrid vehicle Insight, following its first gas/electric hybrid car.^[20] The concept version of the 5-door hatchback hybrid electric vehicle made its public debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.^[21][22] and its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.^[23] In the US the now larger Insight is classified as a compact car based on its interior volume.

Honda Insight Concept

A new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) will debut on the new Honda Insight.^[24]

Estimated fuel efficiency according to the U.S. EPA testing methodology is: City 40 mpg_-US (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg_-imp), Highway 43 mpg_-US (5.5 L/100 km; 52 mpg_-imp), Combined 41 mpg_-US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg_-imp).^[25]

Honda UK state that the official UK fuel efficiency data for the Insight SE is: Urban 61.4 mpg_-imp (4.60 L/100 km; 51.1 mpg_-US), Extra urban 67.3 mpg_-imp (4.20 L/100 km; 56.0 mpg_-US), Combined 64.2 mpg_-imp (4.40 L/100 km; 53.5 mpg_-US) and the CO₂ emissions rating is: 101 g/km,^[26] putting it in the second lowest UK road tax band.^[27]

The new Insight began sales in Japan on February 6, 2009 with prices between ¥1,890,000 and ¥2,210,000.

The car went on sale on March 24, 2009 in North America^[3][28] as a 2010 model for MSRP prices between US$19,800 and US$23,200,^[29][30][31] making it the least expensive hybrid vehicle available in the United States.^[25]

Honda estimates worldwide sales of 200,000 units a year with 100,000 U.S. sales, American sales estimates were later reduced.^[32] Honda foresees other models of hybrid electric vehicles (e.g., a sports car) and estimates 500,000 annual hybrid sales worldwide by next decade.^[33] In April 2009, the Honda Insight became the first gas-electric hybrid to be the best selling vehicle in Japan according to monthly sales.^[34]

U.S. Honda Insight, shown front, rear, and the hybrid badging.

Early reviews praised the Insight's futuristic styling, handling, and price but noted that it was less powerful, less fuel efficient, and less comfortable than more expensive hybrids.^[35] The Insight performed well in comparison tests administered by Motor Trend and Car and Driver, largely due to its sporty driving feel.^[36][37] It did not perform as well in Edmunds or Popular Mechanics tests.^[38][39] In Consumer Reports testing the Insight was assigned a low score (21^st out of 22 small hatchbacks and wagons), stating that it fell short in ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, refinement, rear seat access and rear visibility.^[40][41][42]

According to a BusinessWeek blog, which referred to Japan's Nihon Keizai newspaper, the gross profit margin on Honda Insight was said to be on par with that of Honda Fit. It also noted that the new Prius may be less profitable than its smaller rival.^[43]

Awards

The Insight's engine won the International Engine of the Year award for 2000, and continued to hold the "Sub-1 liter" size category for the next six years. The Insight was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2001.

Reception

Reviews for the second-generation Honda Insight have been mixed.

Autoblog criticized the Insight for it's low passenger volume. They praised it for its fuel economy, tight handling, good steering feedback, and stated "the Insight is a shockingly fun car to drive in a spirited manner in spite of the comparatively modest thrust that is available."^[44]

Automotive critic Jeremy Clarkson, known for his disdain for hybrid vehicles, criticized the Insight for its constant variable transmission, engine noise, and build quality. Although he praised the car for it's low cost, he remarked the Insight is "possibly the worst new car money can buy,"^[45][46] and awarded it one out of five stars.

Edmunds.com criticized the Insight for excessive road noise, a tight back seat, and buzzy engine under hard acceleration, but praised it for improving upon the formula of the rival Prius and costing thousands less. In addition, they state it "is by far the most enjoyable hybrid hatchback to drive" and praised the ride for being firm, the steering for being relatively responsive, and the seamless integration between the electric and gas motor.^[47]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Honda Insight

• Official Worldwide, U.S., and U.K. sites
• Autoblog green test drives new insight
• Jeremy Clarkson's review