Honda Insight with Eco Assist Driver Coaching System - VIDEO ENHANCED

• 5-door family hatchback with Honda's petrol-electric IMA system

• Combines practicality and flexibility in an affordable package

• Low emissions and great fuel economy based on real world driving conditions

• Unique Eco Assist driver coaching system that can help any driver maximise fuel economy

• Sleek, sporty and aerodynamic design influenced by FCX Clarity

• Practical and spacious interior to accommodate five passengers

• Flexible and class-leading load space of 408-litres

• Generous value for money specification

• Honda’s enviable build quality and low running costs

• Excellent crash protection for occupants and pedestrians

LONDON - April 29, 2010: Honda first marketed the original Insight Hybrid in 1999 and has been working on the technology for almost two decades. The Insight is a 5-door hatchback with Honda's IMA hybrid system that offers low-emission and fuel efficient motoring. The car features the Eco Assist driver coaching system that can help any driver maximise fuel economy.

The Direction of the Honda Insight
The aim was to make petrol-electric technology available to more people by developing a family hybrid car that was more affordable.

The Insight is a 5-door hatchback with Honda’s IMA hybrid system that offers low-emission, fuel efficient motoring in a practical, no-compromise offering –to make an attractive, lower cost package.

The main aim in the development to reduce the size, complexity and price of components and systems to drive that final retail price down. Honda wants to bring hybrid technology to a wider market, but knows that the price, or the perceived price, of cleaner cars has prevented some car buyers from even looking at them seriously. Honda wants those people who’ve never considered buying a hybrid car to try one for size.

It is one thing to develop an ultra-green product, that only the affluent can afford, but in its quest to be a company that society wants to exist, Honda challenged its engineers to build a hybrid for everyone.

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Making it Affordable
The Insight is the culmination of over 20 years of hybrid development and more than 35 years of lower impact petrol engine development, which started with the CVCC engine in 1972.

That experience and technical knowledge has enabled Honda to develop the components and parts in our IMA system so they can be produced at a lower cost.

Honda has also been building production hybrids for a decade. In that time, a lot has been learnt about the production of electric motors and other key parts of the hybrid system. This understanding has led to improved production equipment and techniques, which will reduce production costs. And because the major hybrid components are produced in-house, this also helps to control overall costs.

Exterior Styling
As a low emission hybrid car, it was important for the Insight’s design to express its environmental credentials. It had to look like a ‘green’ car but it also had to appear dynamic and fun to drive.

The Insight takes many styling cues from the FCX Clarity. This was deliberate to position the Insight as a recognisable, global car with green credentials as well as the aerodynamic advantages of the body shape.

Brakes
The braking system comprises of front and rear discs matched with ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist as standard equipment.

Honda engineers concentrated on delivering effective stopping power with a linear, natural feel to the pedal, both in normal daily use and when heavier braking is required.

Interior
The Insight has been designed to comfortably accommodate five passengers, cleverly packaged within an aerodynamic shell.

Within this sleek exterior, the Insight can still boast headroom and tandem distances among the best in class and rival many medium sized cars.

ECON system
The green ECON button can be found on the dash, to the right of the steering wheel. When switched on the ECON system indicator appears in the top left of the instrument panel. The LCD display also indicates whether the system is active and serves as a coaching system by providing additional information to help the driver maximise economy.