Honda Insight Lineup Adds Continuously Variable Transmission

17 October 2000
Honda Insight Lineup Adds Continuously Variable Transmission
    MONTREAL, Oct. 16 The Honda Insight, the first
gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle sold in North America and the most fuel
efficient car in America, will add a model with a continuously variable
automatic transmission (CVT) beginning in mid-2001, Honda announced today at
the EVS 17 conference in Montreal.
    In addition, the CVT equipped Insight also is expected to earn
California's Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) certification, the most
stringent exhaust emissions standard in the world.
    "The Insight is appealing to a wide variety of buyers," said Tom Elliott,
executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.  "We believe the
addition of a CVT will serve to broaden its customer appeal even further."
    The CVT allows for an infinite number of "gear" ratios to optimize engine
performance and efficiency.  A Honda Civic model equipped with a CVT is
currently the only vehicle available with an automatic transmission among the
EPA's Top 10 fuel efficient cars in America for 2001 model year.
    Insight models with the CVT are expected to achieve an EPA fuel economy
rating of more than 50 mpg in city and highway driving, with a driving range
of more than 500 miles.  The 2001 Honda Insight with manual transmission
earned top honors for the second straight year in the EPA's annual fuel
economy ratings with an average of 64 mpg, besting its nearest competitor by
more than 16 mpg.
    The Insight has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Sierra
Club's first-ever award for Excellence in Environmental Engineering and
Automobile Magazine's 1999 Technology of the Year award.
    At the heart of the Insight's cutting edge technology is Honda's
innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid power system, which combines
an ultra-efficient 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine with a powerful but
compact 10-kilowatt electric motor/generator and a nickel-metal hydride
battery pack for improved efficiency.  Electricity is generated by
regenerative braking during normal operation, meaning the Insight never
requires an outside source of electric power.
    Providing for about a third of the Insight's efficiency advantage is its
highly aerodynamic design and extensive use of lightweight materials including
aluminum, plastic and magnesium.  At 1,847 pounds (with manual transmission),
the Insight's aluminum body structure is 40 percent lighter than a
comparably-sized steel-bodied vehicle.
    The sporty, two-seat Insight also features a comprehensive list of
advanced safety features including dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS)
and three-point seatbelts with pretensioners.  The Insight's extensive use of
aluminum takes advantage of the high energy-absorbing potential of the
material, further providing a high level of safety for all occupants.
    The Insight earned a Four-Star rating for driver and passenger safety in
federal government crash tests.  In addition to meeting current safety
standards, the Insight meets 2003 safety standards for side-impact and
head-injury protection.  Other security features include an Immobilizer
theft-deterrent system and remote keyless entry.
    Additional standard features include variable-assist electric power
steering; power windows, mirrors and door locks; AM/FM stereo-cassette player;
and digital instrument display with readouts for battery charge, motor assist
and fuel economy performance.