Honda Insight

The Honda Insight is a hybrid vehicle propulsion (electric motor consists of one another more gasoline) which is on sale from € 19,800 with two levels of equipment: "Elegance" and "Executive.

Is significantly more affordable than the rest of their hybrid cars. Thus, the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Insight does not replace that, it costs € 23,900 and the Toyota Prius, which will be replaced by a new model is available from € 24,750.

The difference in price between the cheaper versions of these models is between 4100 and 4950 € (comparative tab). When comparing the versions equipped, the difference may reach 7000 €. The Insight 'Executive' costs € 20,800, which is € 3950 cheaper than the Prius' Sun '(single-level equipment) 7000 € and more affordable than the Civic Hybrid "Leather / Navi (comparative tab).

Honda Insight. Model 2009Tiene bodywork of five doors and five seats is very similar to that of its prototype, the Insight Concept. Its silhouette is also reminiscent of the Toyota Prius, but Honda's model is less space in the rear seats.

The propulsion system is very similar to the one that has the Honda Civic Hybrid, but lighter and less powerful. The combined maximum power is 98 hp.

The Insight's electric motor is 14 hp and 88 hp gasoline. It is therefore less powerful than the Honda Civic Hybrid, which has a 95 hp gasoline and electric, 20 hp. In this joint unit called Honda "IMA" ( "Integrated Motor Assist"), states that have redesigned up to 95% of its components to reduce its size (it is 24% more compact) and cost. The batteries are under the floor of the trunk.

The function of the electric motor is to support the fuel and recover energy during braking phases and retention. Sometimes at low speed and low load, is capable of maintaining the Insight in motion, not used to start the march. The electric motor of the Toyota Prius it is capable of putting the car in motion alone.

The average consumption is 4.4 l/100 km certified, 0.2 liters less than the Civic Hybrid and tenth more than the Prius launched in 2004 (the new Toyota Prius, 2009, spent fuel). Its maximum speed is 186 km / h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 12.6 s.

If you compare with other cars with gasoline engine of similar size and power, the benefits of Insight are similar and much lower consumption (compared to petrol cars). If we take as a reference diesel-engined cars, the Insight is not quite as fast, spent a similar amount of fuel and emits the least CO2 (compared to diesel cars).

The Insight has 3 years warranty (or 144,000 km) that extends to 8 years in the case of hybrid system components.

Some impressions of driving

Honda Insight. Insight 2009Conducir the model is no different from doing the same with any other tourism since the driver does not need to worry about doing something different from what would in another car. In fact, the feeling of driving a different car, that it is in the Prius, is much less evident in the Honda (which is not good nor bad).

The Insight's hybrid system does not start up with the electric motor but then, once in motion and speed of between 15 and 45 km / h, where it can function fully electric mode in some circumstances. At the traffic lights the gasoline engine stops running unless some high consumption of electrical component (the steady heat, for example) or the air conditioning compressor.

Has a mode of operation called 'ECON' (from English, 'Effective Control'). In turn, through the green button is on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel varies the operation of the engine, accessories and transmission for maximum fuel savings (more as' ECON '). The background color of the speedometer and the information displayed on a screen helps the driver to drive economically. Honda calls this device "Ecological Drive Assist System (more as" Ecological Drive Assist System).

The Insight is, under normal conditions, quieter than any diesel passenger cars of its size and nearly as much as the Prius. The difference is not due to motor noise, which is annoying for both the accelerator to the floor, but that comes from the tires.

The change is automatic drive continuous operation with two programs, one normal and one "sport". Furthermore, the versions "Executive" cams are behind the wheel to select the gears that are prefixed. This is useful to enhance retention at a lower port (not accelerating).

Carrier and equipment

Honda Insight. 2009La model of the Insight body is shorter and narrower than the Prius. This difference is seen clearly in the rear seat, where legroom is smaller (5 cm according to our measurements less, exactly the difference in length exterior) and an adult of more than 1.80 m rozará with her legs against the front seat. Compared with a Subaru Impreza, a Renault Megane or Citroen C4, the Insight has more legroom but less width.

The steering wheel is adjustable for height and depth, and to find a proper driving position. All controls are clustered around the driver, including the air conditioning. There are several receptacles on the console to save the things that are usually worn on, as the portfolio, some keys and phone, under the central armrest is a small drawer.

The coating material has a simple and, in some plastics, are feeling worse than in other Honda models, and by the sound made by striking, seem of little thickness. There are no poorly fitting pieces of plastic, but some not as well finished as expected (eg on the inside of the tailgate. In these respects, the Insight is closest to the Civic Jazz.

The total capacity of the luggage compartment is 408 l, whether you have the space that is beneath the floor. Without him, it is 358 l. Honda Insight. 2009Pasar model of a volume to another is easy because the bottom piece that moves up or down with ease. This system allows, regardless of their use with the boot, there is no part that disturbs or on (if something happens to the double bottom of the Prius). This piece does have a floor hatch. When placed in the lowest position the hatch leading to a gap of 8 liters without carpeted used to leave a small object, slippers, which we do not want to stain the carpet trunk. The rear seats can be lower in two parts (60:40), something that does not happen in the Civic Hybrid.

In Spain there are five colors of bodywork. The upholstery fabric is a bluish color.

From the most affordable equipment includes stability control, the air conditioning, electrically folding exterior mirrors and automatic dimming interior and alloy wheels. There will also be accessories dealer, as a portable web browser (image), a few video screens for rear seats (image) or a Bluetooth (image).

Honda aims to sell 200,000 units a year of Insight, half of them in the U.S. The factory in Suzuka (Japan). It also intends to sell in the next few years two new hybrids, including one sporting a prototype based on the CR-Z and the other a Jazz