Honda insight

14-05-2018

The rapid rise in the cost of traditional fuel at the end of the twentieth century forced the leading automotive brands to think about the use of new power plants on production vehicles capable of running on an economical and environmentally friendly fuel - electricity.

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The pioneers in the development of such technologies were Toyota and Honda. The latter in 1996 developed the Integrated Motor Assist technology, which formed the basis of a new hybrid engine running on gasoline and electricity. For the first time this engine was presented in 1997 at the Tokyo Motor Show - it became the “heart” of the J-VX sports car concept. Two years later, the company introduced the Insight production car, equipped with an engine with this hybrid technology.

He became the first hybrid model of the brand, and although in his homeland, in Japan, he could no longer be a pioneer among hybrid cars (the Toyota Prius was the first on the local market), he nevertheless entered the North American market seven months earlier, than a competitor.

Insight had a futuristic exterior design, was produced in the back of a three-door hatchback and was a car for the egoists, since it could take on board only the driver and one passenger. The body not only possessed excellent aerodynamics, but almost completely consisted of aluminum parts, which made it possible to keep the vehicle weight within 840 kg.

The hybrid installation consisted of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The three-cylinder gasoline engine had a volume of 1 liter and a power of 70 hp. This engine with direct fuel injection, variable valve timing and pistons with a vortex combustion chamber could run on a lean mixture. Brushless electric motor with 13 hp connects with active acceleration, and when braking works as a generator, charging Ni-MH batteries. Until 2001, the hybrid unit was aggregated with a 5-speed manual transmission, and later it was replaced by a stepless variator. Fuel consumption in the country mode was 3.9 l / 100 km, and mixed - 4.4 l / 100 km.

The first generation Insight was produced from 1999 to 2006. After a 3-year hiatus, Honda Motor renews its former name Insight, but instead of an extravagant three-door hatchback, a more practical 5-door hatchback of size C, with a capacity of up to five passengers, is brought to the market. Vehicle dimensions: length - 4395 mm, width - 1695, height - 1425; wheelbase - 2550 mm, track - 1490/1475. Curb weight of the "hybrid" - from 1280 kg (with "weight distribution" on the axes of 58/42%).

The body is fast-paced, futuristic, with narrow wedge-shaped headlamps, triangular taillights, which are combined into one composition with a stylistic element passing along the last ledge of the trunk door, resembling an additional brake light. The feed for the model is chopped, the luggage door is half transparent, which made it possible to improve the visibility back. At Insight II exemplary aerodynamics. The coefficient of air resistance is 0.25.

The salon, thanks to its generous glazing, is full of light. High-quality sound insulation contributes to a low noise level on the go. The finish is modest, but quite decent. The upholstery is made of natural material of pleasant texture - in the "hem".

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The steering wheel is adjustable for the angle of inclination and for the flight, the driver’s seat cushion is adjustable, among other things, for height. The seatbacks of the 2nd row, of course, folding (separately - in the usual proportion of 60/40). The volume of the trunk with a full fit in places - 450 liters, and when you fold the rear row, its capacity increases to 890 liters.

The striking design of the front panel is overloaded with details: the fact is that the Eco Assist (Ecological Drive Assist System), which supports an eco-friendly driving style, helps the driver to save fuel. Before him are numerous displays informing about current and average fuel consumption, about the history of the run and the prospect of dokat on the rest of the gasoline in the tank. And other useful information - and in an expressive and even funny way. So, the speedometer lights up green when, saving fuel, you drive the car gently and evenly. And poured blue, if you are fond of acceleration and braking. And on a long w / c a strip in the center of the panel a small grove of 5 trees is visible: when you save non-renewable hydrocarbons, leaves are blooming on the branches. But it is necessary to abuse the dynamics, as the leaves fall.

As in the first generation, Insight 2009 is equipped with a "hybrid" gasoline-electric power unit IMA (Integrated Motor Assist - built-in auxiliary electric motor). The hybrid system includes an inline 4-cylinder engine with a volume of 1.3 liters (maximum power 88 hp), a flat electric motor (power 12.3 hp, torque 14 kg-m) and a small rechargeable battery. The updated powerplant has reduced fuel consumption to 3.3 liters per 100 km.

In the basic versions, the “regular” list includes air conditioning, 4 electric windows, electric side mirrors (heated), a radio with a CD / MP3 player, and something else. And in versions of more expensive appear "adaptive" front svetooptiki, "wipers" with a rain sensor, leather-covered steering wheel, climate and cruise control, heated front seats, satellite navigation and much more.

Guarding the safety of the driver and passengers 3-point seat belts, active head restraints, airbags and curtains, as well as mounting child seats Isofix.

In 2012, the car has undergone a restyling. The design of the grille has changed: instead of three horizontal chrome-plated “fins” of the same size, there are two left - a wide upper and a narrow lower. Also changed the side niches in the front bumper - they have become wider, acquired the shape of a trapezoid. Increased and placed in these niches fog lights. The profile of the car has not undergone any special transformations - only the shape of the side mirrors has changed slightly. In this case, the stern of the car has not changed at all.

Equipped with a hybrid gasoline-electric motor vehicle equipped with fifth-generation Integrated Motor Assist technology. The volume of the gasoline unit is 1.3 liters, which develops power of 98 horsepower. The power of the electric motor is 13 "horses." Using hybrid technology, a car at a gas station can travel up to 644 km. Together with the power plant, an infinitely variable CVT works, which has been upgraded to achieve a smoother gear shift.