2006 NY Auto Show
As the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid passenger vehicle sold in the U.S., the Insight remains America's most fuel-efficient 2006 model year vehicle.
Insight is available with either a 5-speed manual transmission or an advanced continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), achieving EPA city/highway fuel economy ratings of 60/66 and 57/56 mpg, respectively.
Insight employs Honda's unique Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system that couples a 1.0 liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine with a thin, lightweight electric motor for enhanced fuel economy and added power when accelerating. The system recaptures energy from the car's momentum during braking and deceleration, with the electric motor acting as a generator that automatically recharges the batteries so that it never needs to be plugged in.
Insight was designed from the ground up to deliver world-class fuel economy and ultra low emissions. This was accomplished in part by using a lightweight, aerodynamic, aluminum-intensive body and chassis combination that delivers a low 0.25 coefficient of drag, and contributes to a range of more than 500 miles on a single tank of gas.
