Honda Insight Test drive since 2009 hatchback

Honda Insight. Stop spoiling the air!

Honda Insight. Price: Not defined. On sale: Presumably since 2010
Global warming wraps the planet with a high -temperature blanket, and through the holes in the ozone layer, destructive cosmic radiation tears us. A new hybrid hatchback Honda Insight is ready to rush to ecological gaps.
Test pilot
Dmitry Tytyuchenko, 33 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience of 14 years, personal car - Jeep Wrangler
Are you still spending a lot and smell badly? Then we go to you! Such a slogan would perfectly fit into the concept of the commercial of the family hybrid Honda Insight of the new Japanese weapons of mass education of eco -cognition. Along with the inherent alternative models of environmental friendliness and efficiency, the novelty carries something no less bright and kindly warming the soul of pricing affordability. So, in the United States, the main consumer of the auto -building, the cost of the hatchback is promised to restrain it within $ 20,000, which is about 10% lower than the main competitor to Toyota Prius. And, in fact, the only one: the uniqueness of both cars is that in nature they are found only in hybrid form. Naturally, no one is going to engage in altruism.
The cost of the eco -mobile was reduced by using the available platform from Honda Jazz and the reducing the design of the hybrid power unit. Thanks to the price, world sales of Honda Insight are planned by the end of the year at the level of as much as 200,000 cars! Given the all kinds of government programs and benefits in most countries, aimed at stimulating demand for environmentally friendly transport, the figure easily ceases to seem sky -high. After all, annual operating expenses for a regular car are spilled into a serious penny. And you just have to present the amount saved on the purchase itself, accompanying taxes and subsequent Insight gas stations, as you immediately begin to think about the environment with some special warmth.
The same thoughts are overcome when looking at the car. Outwardly, the car resembles two pure hydrogen Honda FCX hydrogen models at once and the same Toyota Prius. If from the first of them Insight is the details of the exterior, then with the ancestor of the hybrid genre, the 5 -door hatchback is very similar conceptually. Such a design is inspired not only by the requirements of aerodynamics, but also by more pragmatic motives: global eco -cognition will benefit the novelty.
Yes, and the European audience is easier to win: in the Old World, historically, they have weakness for hatchbacks for compact dimensions, a spacious interior and roomy trunk. These parameters of Honda Insight, for the most part, corresponds. Of the 4375 -mm length 2550 mm, it is highlighted at the wheelbase. Given the wide range of seats adjustments, there is enough space ahead of the place. At the back with the space is more tested, but the profiled sofa leaves hope for a comfortable long trip. Do not have to worry about things. Most of the luggage will be perfectly accommodated in a 408 -liner trunk.
As statistics show, in Russia this type of body also gains popularity. But the advantages of ecocars are still vague. Native legislators still do not give discounts on hybridness, and environmental friendliness is held in high esteem, mainly in wealthy fans of the status techniques of Lexus. Therefore, the question of the purity of the exhaust so far sounds much less often than the consumption of fuel. But the last Honda Insight has a worthy answer: it spends only 4.4 liters of gasoline in 100 km. And the Japanese are full of optimism in the next two years, a pretty hatchback can be seen on our streets.
The main source of energy of the car is the processed 88-horsepower gasoline I-VTEC from the Civic Hybrid with a volume of 1.3 liters with 121 nm of torque. It independently turns off with uniform movement at low speed and during short (duration depends on the battery charge) stops. The powers are transferred until then a peacefully dormant auxiliary electric motor with a capacity of 14 forces with a maximum moment of 78 nm. When slowing down and braking, the latter performs the generator, recharging the battery, and with intense overclocking, the units work together. Moreover, you notice the moments of connecting and disconnecting the electric motor only by changing the icon on the dashboard. Even the dynamic properties are not particularly hinting at: Insight is always quite strained. But thank you exactly and without jerks to the variator.
Naturally, it is impossible to earn a gasoline bonus with intensive driving. This task, in principle, requires tremendous patience.
First, a large green key to the left of the steering wheel is activated by an increased efficiency mode. As a result, the moment and power fall by 4%, the reactions to the pressing of the accelerator are fading, the unavailable transmission acquires greater smoothness, the air conditioning is idle. And the process of pursuit of the decline in consumption turns for a driver into an entertaining game, the purpose of which is to teach you the most tenderly as pedals as much as possible. The more successfully the capabilities are realized by economical driving, the more leaflets germinate on an electronic display. If at the end of the trip a tree and a flower appeared on the screen, then you have passed the first level. The next two trips at the same environmentally friendly pace will turn into a wreath and a cup.
Despite the growing wave of folk rationality, the success of the model in Russia is unlikely to be bright without two conditions: domestic lawmakers will begin to promote eco -mobiles in every possible way, and Honda will go to the dumping. For example, offering Insight at the price of a regular Civic. And maybe then the phrase I started a hybrid will sound just as familiar that I started Labrador.

Hybrid bonuses
France: 2000 discount from the retail price.
Portugal: 50% discount on sales tax.
Netherlands: Discount up to 6400 with a purchase tax.
Luxembourg: If the CO2 level does not exceed 120 g/km, the tax benefit 750.
Norway: When calculating sales tax, tax is not charged on the power of the electric motor.
Sweden: 1000SEK discount for individuals.
Austria: preferential sale tax (500).
Switzerland: a one -time CHF 5000 discount.
Italy: Discount up to 2800.
Spain: In the areas of Andalusia and Castile-Leon, compensation is up to 2000 and 1890.
Belgium: if the CO2 level does not exceed 105 g/km, 15% of the tax (Max. 4350).
Greece: hybrid cars are not taxed for sale.
Hungary: a fixed low tax on the registration of hybrids.
Slovenia: cars with emissions ‹110 MFG/km are not taxed for sale.
Finland: the tax on the registration of the car is determined by the number of emissions CO2 (%) \u003d 4 + CO2/10.
 
We do not love
For the built-in 40 gigabyte multimedia-navigation system, you will have to pay extra. Costly
The list of options contains entertainment for the rear passengers. Rich
The back of the seat folds in parts (60:40), increasing the trunk to 1017 liters. Capacious

Driving
Managing a car is easy and pleasant. If you are aware that modest consumption goes against a dynamic ride, the rolls and not a particularly informative steering wheel will be a side effect.
Salon
Intricate ergonomic solutions are superimposed on everyday finishing materials.
Comfort
Soft suspension and profiled seats will serve a good service on long trips.
Security
Active, passive and even environmental at the highest level!
Price
Unspecified.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Efficiency, environmental friendliness, attractiveness, probable availability, capacity, comfort.
- dynamism, modesty of finishing materials, rolls in corners.

Specifications
Mark and model - Honda Insight
Dimensions - 4375x1695x1425 mm
The engine is gasoline, 1339 cm3, 88 liters. p./5800 min-1; Electric, 14 l. With.
Transmission - variator
Dynamics - Max 186 km/h; 12.6 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Toyota Prius

Our opinion
Alas, the fact that at sane prices is sold there, it often reaches us already strongly overgrown duties, margins and other money fat. And if the practicality with the efficiency of Honda Insight to Russia will undoubtedly get unchanged, then the budgets can be very shielded along the road
Author: Dmitry Tytyuchenko
 
 
 
 
 
 

A source: Magazine 5 wheel [April 2009]