Honda Insight Hybrid

 

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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 latest 2011 Insight is a 5-passenger, 5-door dedicated hybrid vehicle that includes the fifth generation of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid powertrain. This system mates an internal combustion engine with an electric motor mounted directly to the engine’s crankshaft between the engine and transmission.

Honda states that this configuration is less complex, lower cost, and compact enough to accommodate a wide range of vehicle sizes when compared to competing hybrid powertrains. Honda has used previous generations of this IMA system on all of its production hybrid vehicles including the original Insight.

The Insight’s IMA includes a high-efficiency, lightweight and low-friction 1.3-liter SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder petrol engine. It is rated for 98 hp (73 kW) at 5800 rpm and 123 lb·ft (167 N·m) of torque from 1000–1700 rpm. The high torque at low rpm is made possible by the electric motor which contributes up to 13 hp (10 kW) at 1500 rpm and 58 lb·ft (79 N·m) of torque at 1000 rpm to the powertrain. The motor acts as a generator during braking, steady cruising, gentle deceleration and coasting in order to recharge the IMA battery. The motor also serves as the engine starter, quickly spinning the engine to idle speed after Idle Stop and during normal vehicle starting.

The system will automatically switch to a back-up, conventional 12-volt starter to start the engine if the IMA system is disabled or if the car is started at extreme cold temperatures. As an additional safety feature, Honda’s hybrid configuration allows the car to operate like a conventional, petrol-engine vehicle even if the IMA hybrid-electric motor system is completely disabled.homnda insight

The Insight’s IMA is powered by a flat, nickel metal hydride battery pack located below the cargo floor between the rear wheels. The battery is recharged automatically by engine power, when needed and by regenerative braking when the car is decelerating. The power management electronics, battery modules, and cooling system are all self-contained within the IMA battery pack.

The new Insight is the first Honda hybrid to feature their Ecological Drive Assist System (ECO ASSIST). This system is designed to help the driver develop and maintain a fuel-efficient driving style. The system monitors and displays the positive or negative effect of a driving style on the vehicle’s fuel economy.ECO ASSIST includes a dedicated ECON button that enables the driver to initiate a range of functions that increase the fuel economy of the IMA system via a single button press.

Now available in Ireland

Prices start at €22,375