Honda Insight

Honda Insight - The most affordable hybrid on the market

5-door family hatchback with Honda's petrol-electric IMA system. Sleek, sporty and aerodynamic design, influenced by FCX Clarity concept.

With the new Insight, Honda's aim was to make petrol-electric technology available to more people by developing a more affordable family hybrid car.

The Insight is a 5-door hatchback with Honda's IMA hybrid system. It offers low-emission, fuel-efficient motoring in a practical, no-compromise package - at a lower price than any other hybrid on the market.

Honda expect the entry level SE model will make up around 35 per cent of sales and it will be priced to appeal directly to mass C-sector customers who may have been put off buying a hybrid previously because of the price tag.

Compared to other hybrid models such as the Toyota Prius, which starts at £17,870, Honda are promising excellent value-for-money - the SE specification includes 15-inch alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, electric folding door mirrors, front and rear electric windows, steering wheel audio controls and VSA.

The generously spec'd ES grade will be the best seller and includes 16-inch alloy wheels, auto lights and wipers, cruise control, front fog lights, heated front seats, leather steering wheel and gear knob, paddle shift, privacy glass and USB port over and above the SE grade.

The ES-T model is equipped with DVD Satellite Navigation and Hands Free Technology (HFT).

Performance

When combined, the motor and engine produce lively performance ideal for urban environments, with good throttle response and acceleration times to rival conventional 1.6-litre petrol cars with automatic gearboxes.

The Insight reaches 62mph from a standing start in 12.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 113mph.

Transmission

Using a CVT transmission in a hybrid provides smooth and predictable gear transitions and helps keep the IMA system operating at its peak efficiency.

In the Insight, an evolution of the high-torque CVT unit from the Civic Hybrid is used.

Also, for the first time on a Honda hybrid, the Insight benefits from paddle shifts, so quick gear changes can be made from levers just behind the steering wheel (ES models).

Emissions/economy

Of course, one of the major benefits of hybrid powertrains is that they can reduce exhaust emissions and boost fuel economy.

And when the systems are placed within a purpose-built, aerodynamic body, the advantages are enhanced.

The Insight performs well in government emissions and economy testing, achieving 101g/km and 64.2mpg combined (SE)

Points make prizes

Once a journey is over, and the ignition is turned off, the black and white 'Eco guide' in the MID changes to an 'eco score' display. Now, the tree symbols at the top report on the driver's performance during the last drive, while the bar and symbols at the bottom of the display show a lifetime score. This is shown in three 'ranks' with the fully grown tree and flower to the right of the bar showing the best score.

If the driver's rank has improved since the last journey, a recognition symbol is also displayed, with wreathes and trophy symbols reflecting good progress. Conversely, if the driving style is worse, and the lifetime score and rank decreases, a more depressing recognition symbol of a withering plant is displayed.

Exterior design

Although the design team started with a blank piece of paper - in that this was a brand new model with no history - they faced many challenges in creating the exterior appearance of the Insight.

On the one hand, as a low emission hybrid car, it had to express environmental credentials - it had to look like a 'green' car - but on the other hand it had to appear dynamic and fun to drive; part of Honda's key design principles. Above all, in line with the positioning of Insight, the design had to appeal to a broad range of people.

"We wanted the car to be widely accepted," says Creative Chief Designer, Motoaki Minowa. "If we just created an environmentally-friendly car it could have looked dull, or boring. We wanted to insert a sporty factor to make the car more appealing - and after all, sportiness is in Honda's DNA."

Another important factor that led (and to some extent restricted) the exterior design was the body style itself. To appeal to as many people as possible, a 5-door layout was chosen, and this brought its own challenges, particularly when optimising the aerodynamics of the car, and creating enough headroom for passengers in the rear.

"We intentionally tried to make the Insight look like a baby version of the Clarity," he says. "There are some design treatments and colouring effects we have taken from the FCX, but basically the car's shape is very similar. FCX Clarity is the leader, the most advanced car, the ultimate clean car - and we want the Insight to follow that lead. In a way, because the new Insight takes design cues from the old car and from the FCX, it is bridging the gap between the past and the future."

Lights

The Insight adopts slim, projector-style headlights in a 4-light cluster. The headlight's low beam has blue detailing, and the indicators are located in the lower bumper face. At the rear, the Insight uses LEDs for the taillights and stop lamps.

LEDs consume less power, which aids fuel economy. But rather than just replacing bulbs with LEDs, the designers attempted to 'spread the light' through the design of the taillight unit and the use of reflective surfaces.

Paint

There are eight exterior paint colours: Spectrum White Silver Pearl, Cerulean Blue Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Neutron Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Urban Titanium Metallic and Milano Red.

Chassis

The Insight chassis is entirely new, but in the quest to produce an affordable car with compact dimensions, it is based on the platform used for the latest Jazz - and as such, it shares many components and characteristics with the supermini. From the starting point of Jazz, engineers devised a package that accommodates the hybrid system, provides space for adults to sit in comfort and allows room for the impressive load space.

The structure of the engine compartment and front section of the car is almost identical to Jazz, with some minor alterations to aid crash protection, but behind the front bulkhead the platform is unique to Insight. The wheelbase is 2550mm (50mm longer than that of the Jazz).

Upon this platform, front and rear suspension from the Jazz are used, which means MacPherson struts at the front, and an H-shaped torsion beam at the rear to keep the load floor low, increasing luggage capacity inside. Dynamically, the goal was to achieve pliant, but stable handling performance in a range of conditions and on a mixture of road surfaces.

Brakes

The braking system comprises of front and rear discs (14-inch) 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.

Wheels and tyres

From an aerodynamic view, flush-surfaced dish-type wheels - like those found on the Civic Hybrid - are superior, but the design is not popular among European car buyers. Although spoked wheel designs are not as slippery, the Insight is fitted with a seven-spoke alloy design, to enhance the sporty image of the car.

SE grades of Insight are equipped with these 15-inch alloy wheels fitted with 175/65 R15 tyres. 16-inch wheels are fitted on ES and ES-T models.

Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)

All Insight grades are equipped with Honda's Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system, designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking to the right or left hand wheels as necessary and managing the engine torque systems.

Warranty

The Insight is covered by a unique eight year warranty for the entire IMA system, including high-power battery. Plus, a three year / 90,000 mile standard warranty, three year surface corrosion warranty, five year exhaust system warranty and 12 year structural corrosion warranty.

Cabin storage

The designers have squeezed every inch of possible storage space out of the Insight. There are six cup/bottle holders spread throughout the cabin - two integrated into the wide and spacious door bins, two in the rear doors and two cup holders ahead of the gear stick. In front of the front cup holders there is a detachable partition box useful for storing sunglasses, mobile phones and other smaller items.

The armrest storage box between the driver and front passenger houses the USB port (ES and ES-T models only) and an iPod pocket.

As well as room for CDs, keys and other items better kept out of sight, there's a rubber band on the underside of the lid to hold sunglasses in place.

Storage recesses for smaller items can be found in each of the doors behind the electric window buttons. Another concealed space directly below the audio system can hold key fobs, cards and smaller items best kept away from prying eyes.

All models feature a passenger seatback pocket.

Interior

The Insight has been designed to accommodate five passengers, cleverly packaged within an aerodynamic shell. Within this sleek exterior, the Insight still boasts headroom and tandem distances among the best in class, and rivaling many medium sized cars.

An inviting and airy interior has been created with clever designs that give an increased sense of space, and practicality.

Convex shapes have been used wherever possible to reduce mass of the interior plastics and create a sense of space, particularly where passengers sit. This moves away from the traditional interior design rules that usually dictate concave surfaces. In the Insight for instance, the front dash is split into two distinct sections.

The lower light-coloured section is convex and curves away from the driver and front seat passenger giving a greater sense of space and leg room while the upper, darker section surrounds the front occupants, the driver in particular, to create a cockpit-style cabin.

Special attention was paid to outward visibility. Forward visibility is excellent thanks to slim A-pillars, large front door window surfaces that do not require a separate pillared front quarter window, and the same cabin-forward design used for the latest Jazz. Equally, the integrated window in the boot enables good low, rearward visibility, allowing the driver to see a low post, or child behind the vehicle. In addition, retractable rear headrests and rear three quarter lights increase rearward visibility. A rear window wiper has also been fitted in response to customer feedback.

Generous specification

High quality, tactile materials, stylish designs and tasteful colours have been used throughout the cabin. Two interior upholstery colour combinations are available - deep blue with cream or warm beige.

Seats are covered in a two-texture fabric - a dotted pattern for the seating and soft suede-like material for the side bolsters. All models are equipped with active headrests for greater safety.

The steering wheel is fully adjustable for reach and rake to ensure drivers of all heights can be accommodated. A slim armrest and dead foot rest are also provided for extra comfort.

The entry-level SE grade includes CD/audio system, climate control air conditioning, electric folding door mirrors, front and rear electric windows, steering wheel audio controls and VSA. Over and above this, the generously spec'd ES grade comes with 16-inch alloys, auto lights and wipers, cruise control, front fog lights, heated front seats, leather steering wheel and gear knob, paddle shift, privacy glass and USB port compatible for iPods.

ES-T models are fitted with satellite navigation and hands-free technology (HFT) kit additionally.

Also fitted as standard across the range are one-touch indicators for easy lane changing on motorways, an adjustable driver's seat, foot rest, passenger seat back pocket and vanity mirrors for both driver and front passenger.

Instrument panel

The two-tiered instrument panel allows the driver to focus on the important information - the speedometer above the steering wheel and the main instrument panel directly below it. The fascia comprises of four main indicators - a large rev counter, flanked by the petrol gauge and motor assist gauge. The automatic gear selected is displayed within the rev counter. As on the Civic Hybrid the motor assist gauge shows, during driving, whether the electric battery is being charged e.g. during regenerative braking or whether the electric motor is assisting the petrol engine e.g. during hard acceleration.

A useful LCD multi-information display (MID) set within the centre of the rev counter provides information such as instant and average fuel economy, range, outside temperature as well as other displays to encourage more economical driving techniques. The information button on the steering wheel allows the driver to flick through the different information displays. All instruments are located on or around the steering wheel, within easy reach for the driver.

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.

Audio systems

All models are equipped with a single CD/audio system, four speakers, steering wheel mounted audio controls and auxiliary jack with MP3/WMA playback capability. In addition, ES and ES-T models are fitted with a USB port, located in the centre arm rest/storage box which enables fifth generation or later iPods, plus a variety of other digital audio players, to be played through the Insight's main audio system.

MP3 players docked via the USB port can also be controlled using the steering wheel mounted audio controls and depending on type, will charge once connected.

Satellite Navigation

The voice-activated satellite navigation system (standard on ES-T) is a touch-screen unit utilising a fully updateable DVD for all data. The Insight's system allows the user to find a wide range of places of interest, including restaurants, petrol stations, airports and Honda service centres.

The majority of points of interest include phone numbers where appropriate for added convenience. Where it is available, the Honda navigation system works with traffic information to alert drivers to potential delays and navigate a route round them.

Hands-Free Technology (HFT)

ES-T grades are equipped with Hands Free Technology (HFT) kit, which uses Bluetooth technology to allow mobile phone calls to be made safely on the move.

A series of speakers and microphones installed in the car can connect to any Bluetooth-enabled communications device, even in a bag or briefcase.

Safety

Two ISOFIX fittings in both the right and left rear seats are provided and together with tether anchor points provide secure child seat mounting points and ensure correct installation.

Full pricing will be available nearer to the on-sale date in April.