Honda Insight Hybrid

Honda Insight Hybrid automobile is a hybrid car that combines an internal-combustion engine and an electric engine and therefore represents the future of the world automobile industry.

There isn't such a serial car today that could stand to Insight if aerodynamics is compared: its air resistance ratio is 0.25, which is a record for all mass produced cars. This is the result of aerodynamic shields that hide rear wheel niches as well as of other components.

Honda Insight Hybrid is a two-seat coupe where there is enough room both for the driver and for the passenger and only a low roof spoils the impression a bit.

Instrumentation panel reminds that of the latest Civic although the combination itself is different: it is digital, it features large speedometer and pseudo-analog tachometer's, fuel level's, and battery's dials while the light bias is light-orange.

The engine is placed on the same shaft as a super-thin electric motor that also acts as a starter. The total horsepower of IMA unit is slightly above 80 hp. There is a nickel-metal-hydride batteries' unit placed under 16 bolts in the trunk. It puts out 144 volt and is a part of IMA unit.

The remaining part is placed under the hood in the front: this is a 68-horsepower 3-cylinder 1.0-liter gasoline engine. This model's engine is more of a backup as it links up while intense acceleration and besides operates as a starter.

What is more, Honda Insight Hybrid features continuously variable-ratio drive. The aerodynamics is great however the "stern" is too narrow for this reason and even a two-section trunk's window cannot help: the rear view is awful.

When accelerating the car kind of stops at 2500 revolutions however in a minute it's all back to normal and the speed increases faster: that's how the electric motor links up. The engine reaches top revolutions when switched to S mode by pushing a button on the steering wheel: the gas pedal becomes more responsive and the drive assures nice braking.

Honda Insight Hybrid is good at turns even regardless its 165/65 R14 wheels. Responsive steering wheel and rear suspension allow you feeling the car even at sharp turns. The car shows its best on a highway at a high speed mode: it feels that the body is aerodynamic, there are no noises except for the tires, and a gentle whistling is heard when you reach 100 km.

Declared consumption of 3.4 liters per 100 km or even 2.34 liters as some state, is confirmed. This "wonder" costs somewhere about 11 000 US dollars.VW