Honda goes hybrid with new Insight

The new 2009 Honda Insight hybrid car made its world debut at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The car will go on sale in Ireland next April. The new Insight is a further stage in the evolution of hybrid technology by using a more cost-efficient version of Honda"s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology. Honda claims this results in combined fuel economy of 4.4 litre/100km and CO2 emissions of just 101g/km. Honda claims the new version provides an opportunity to sell a five-seat, five-door car at an affordable price. The Insight combines an electric motor with a highly efficient petrol engine, the Insight offers drivers not only low CO2 emissions, it also has very low emissions of other greenhouse gasses like N2O. The five-door hatchback design takes some of its styling cues from the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell car. The new Insight has been designed with a low centre of gravity and a spacious five-passenger cabin, giving customers a balance of fine handling and a highly flexible interior. The Insight will feature a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology, named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist). Eco Assist combines multiple functions: • A driver-activated ECON mode that optimises control of the continuously variable transmission, engine and related powertrain components to conserve fuel; • A driver feedback function that uses speedometer background colour that can provide real-time guidance on achieving higher fuel efficiency; and • A fuel economy scoring function that provides feedback about current driving efficiency, as well as feedback on cumulative, long-term driving style. Key safety features are advanced compatibility engineering (ACE), which provides improved protection for vehicle occupants and helps mitigate damage to other vehicles; dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, front-side airbags with a passenger-side occupant position detection system (OPDS) and a side curtain airbag system; and a pedestrian-injury mitigation front body design.