INSIGHT-ER TRADING (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 95

The Honda Insight is an example of what can happen when a big company goes all out to make a technological statement. In terms of engineering it's a glimpse of the future. The petrol/electric hybrid technology combines to provide a supremely economical car. Where the Insight is less convincing is in terms of appeal. Are you willing to pay a surprising amount for a two seat coupe with less practicality than a sports car? For those that feel the low running costs are worth the sacrifice the Insight will prove a quirky but reliable proposition.

Modelsword count: 7

Models Covered: (2dr Coupe 1.0 petrol/electric hybrid)

Historyword count: 97

Launched in March 2000, the Insight represented Honda's take on an ultra-clean low emission city car for the new millennium. Powered by an ultra-efficient 1.0-litre petrol engine, the Insight got an additional boost under acceleration from the electric power pack located behind the seats. Priced at over £17,000, take up was minuscule and many were pressed into service as dealer demonstrators or courtesy cars. Rebates of over £1,000 failed to perk up any great interest and the Insight hasn't undergone any major revisions since launch. By the start of 2004, the last new Insights had been sold.

What You Getword count: 398

A few years ago, the German Green Party challenged car makers to produce a 'three-litre' car. That resulted in widely varying approaches to the problem - just how do you make a car that sips a mere three litres of fuel every 100 kilometres, the equivalent of 94mpg? In Germany, Volkswagen's approach was to slip a tiny three-cylinder diesel into a specially lightened, part-aluminium Lupo. There were also 'special' three-litre versions of the Seat Arosa and Audi A2. In Japan, however, engineers reject the idea of using small, diesel engines. They reckon the 'hybrid' approach, using a combination of petrol and electric motors, is the way forward. The result is cars like the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. Honda, regarded by many as Japan's most innovative car company, came up with the Insight - which is quite different from the Prius. It's an unusual little aerodynamically efficient two-seater coupe, made from aluminium alloy. The Honda is a 'serial hybrid' powered by a one-litre, three-cylinder petrol/electric motor. The major difference between the Toyota and the Honda is the mechanical design. While the Prius has separate petrol and electric motors, the Insight combines the two into one unit that Honda calls an Integrated Motor Assist system. Apart from three large electric cables attached above the clutch, it looks much like any conventional petrol engine and gearbox combination. The petrol section incorporates all sorts of things that Honda, renowned for superb engines, has developed over the years including variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder and lean-burn combustion. The engineers have even found a way of integrating the exhaust manifold into the cylinder head so that the catalyst (which neutralises noxious emissions in the exhaust) heats up more quickly and goes to work sooner. The little electric motor doubles as the starter and is neatly sandwiched between the petrol engine and gearbox. Unlike the Prius, whose petrol engine stops when the car is able to run solely on the battery-powered electric motor, the Insight engine runs all the time. The 44lb battery pack lives in the back (the main reason why there are no rear seats) nor is there much luggage room. The dashboard layout resembles that of other modern Hondas. However, you'll find extra battery charge and fuel economy displays in the all-digital display in front of the driver. There is very little stowage space in the cabin for oddments.

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