Honda’s first attempt had great success in the hypermiling circles; but the mainstream was none to eager to drive such a repulsive looking vehicle. But wonderful fuel savings lessons were learned and Honda might have hit a home run with the 2nd generation Insight.
The next chapter in the evolution of hybrid technology has been written with the new 2010 Honda Insight. In developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technology and developing advanced alternatives in gasoline, no one is a more accomplished than Honda. Among these accomplishments, Honda is also a leader in the development of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered cars like the FCX Clarity fuel cell car. The new Honda Insight is also a huge triumph that should be added to that list. This new Honda Insight was first debuted on Jan. 1st 2009 and amazed everyone with all its extra features and consumer appeal; its Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology and more cost-efficient production method.
The new Honda Insight provides environmentally-conscious hybrid customers with new affordability, better performance, and a highway fuel economy rating of 40/43 miles per gallon. Continue Reading »
Tags: 2010 honda insight hybrid, 2010 insight, automobiles, Cars, honda, hybrid, new honda insight, old honda insight
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What made the CRX so great in the 80’s was that it was a lightweight car with a rev happy engine. Combine that with precise steering and a nimble suspension and you had a fun little pocket car that got over 40 MPG. Well today’s Honda car has exchanged the sporty feeling for mundane commuter duties. Well not anymore with the upcoming release of the CR-Z hybrid upcoming in 2010.
The CR-Z will reportedly get a 1.8 liter high-revving 140 horsepower engine with a
hybrid Integrated motor assist system borrowed from the new Insight. Numbers on the electric motor are not available but a small boost will do wonders for this little 2-seat car. So combine a light weight chassis, Honda iVTECH engine, and electric motor assist; and this should make for one great ride.
With the S2000 discontinued, Honda has some big shoes to fill and the CR-Z should be capable enough. The outside is nice and sporty; a welcome departure from the boring wedge shape now synonymous with hybrid cars. Big rims and a manual gear box round out the needs of every young driver out there. It should only be a short wait for the CR-Z to hit the pavement.
Source: http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2009/112_0904_2011_honda_crz/index.html
Tags: automobile, Cars, concept car, honda cr-z, honda crx, honda crz hybrid, honda hybrid
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The fuel efficient Honda Fit will become even more frugal next year when Honda releases a hybrid version of the fit. The Insight sells for about $3k more than the fit in Japan, so just imagine a $16k hybrid on the market next year! One can only dream. As gas is back on the rise, Honda Motor Co. sees a huge market for fuel efficient hybrid cars.
The Fit has long been on the drawing board as a likely candidate for a hybrid power train but the recent spike in Crude Oil prices have caused the suits over at big Honda to push up the production to next year. Not too much is known yet but a puny 1-Liter engine may be the power plant pushing this little car into the 60 MPG range.
Source: http://www.hybridcars.com/compacts-sedans/honda-fit-hybrid.html
Tags: Cars, concept cars, honda, honda fit hybrid, hybrid
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Never heard of Mugen? Well this company which was started by the son of the founder of Honda itself; has been tuning cars professionally since 1973. Mugen has a cult following overseas and with the import boom here in the US; Mugen parts can fetch a hefty price tag. Today they tune the Insight from top to bottom.
So what exactly was Mugen thinking when then decided to pimp an Insight? Ever met a 
Hybrid owner who was into upgrading their ride? The Insight already has the 2nd lowest drag coefficient of any mass produced car on the road today, so why would any company try to better the Insights slippery look?
Body-Kit
The upgrades made to the exterior of the car are meant to produce zero lift which is absolutely optimal for a car with 
fuel economy in mind. The Mugen catalogue includes a lip spoiler kit, front grill, and wing which hopefully add up to some nice airflow management around the car. Remember the lower the drag the better the MPG.
The Stance
No self respecting tuner can leave the stock rims and tires on a ride. The 
stock wheels are ditched for either a set of 16-inch mesh or 15-inch 8-spoke rims wrapped in LRR Tires. Handling issues are addressed with a set of springsthat drop the car about 20mm, which isn’t much, but they do tighten up the car.
The Rest
Tuning the Engine of the Insight is a lost cause since more horsepower would mean less miles per gallon. The 1.3-liter engine is an engineering masterpiece from Honda that need not be touched. 
Although a nice triangle tip exhaust adds a bit of flavor to the exhaust note. And of course the Insight is sure to receive the regular treatment of a shift knob, floor mats, probably pedals, and who knows what else.
Source: Modified Magazine (Jun 09)
Photos: http://www.webridestv.com/photos/2010-mugen-zero-lift-honda-insight-178991
Tags: accessories, body kit, exhaust, honda, Insight, lip, mugen, parts, rims, spoiler, wheels
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Of all the factors contributing to poor gas mileage; your car’s drag co-efficient is probably not at the forefront of your mind. Well the shape of your auto determines whether it cuts through the wind like a hot knife in butter or plunges through like a big square brick. Countless hours and millions of dollars are spent in the wind tunnels of the largest car companies trying to lower that drag co-efficient to minimal levels. A vehicle like a hummer is at the very high end of the scale with a drag coefficient of 26.5! While the compact gas sipper Honda Insight is at the low end with a paltry 5.10. So all things being equal….the body style of the Insight is much suitable for a car that can get more than 40 miles per gallon without breaking a sweat.
How many times have you heard that as a truck owner it is beneficial to drop the tailgate when driving on the freeway? Well let me tell you my friend that the best way to save gas in a pick-up truck is to get a tonneau cover. The slicker the surface area and the less amount of direction the 
wind has to change the better for your drag coefficient. I know the wheel covers on the rear of the Insight is UGLY. But you don’t drive a Hybrid for the looks do you?
The design of the Old Skool Insight was so 90’s. Fast forward to today and with the release of the redesigned Insight, we get a familiar wedged shaped hybrid with almost the same drag coefficient as the ultra slippery 1-st generation Insight. Thank God the Honda engineers took looks into consideration this time around!
Source: Wikipedia Automobile Drag Coefficient
Tags: 1999, 2010, aerodynamics, drag coefficient, fuel economy, honda, hybrid, hypermiling, Insight, mpg
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With the release of the Insight now upon us, I wonder if the Civic is man enough to put up a good fight. The new Insight comes equipped with shooting stars and nunchakus. The lowly Civic only has chop sticks and Dragon-Ball Z movies.
2009 Honda Insight
The Insight comes ready to battle the best alligators? Er…Hybrids on the market. Carrying a $19,800 price tag, the 2010 Insight is sure to sell like Mochi on a hot Sunday. The Insight brings that undeniably Prius wedge shape that proves to be oh so aerodynamic. The shape alone is enough to sell cars. People immediately know your driving a hybrid by the shape. So there is a status symbol sort of thing. The Insight also has all of Honda’s newest stuff. But most importantly; the Gas Mileage numbers are 40 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the freeway.
2009 Honda Civic
The Civic represents the absolute base model car available from Honda. But these cars are by far the most popular. Having owned one I can attest that with a Honda, everything is where it should be and more importantly, everything works correctly. So what can you expect from the 2009 Civic Hybrid who is lurking in the shadows.
Stay Tuned for The Next Installment………The Feature Fight!
Source:
http://automobiles.honda.com/insight-hybrid
http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-hybrid/
Tags: 2009, 2010, civic, fuel economy, honda, hybrid, Insight, mpg, review
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The great thing about purchasing a Certified Used Honda Hybrid from a dealership is the awesome warranty that goes along with it. This used car warranty is just like a warranty that you get with a new car in that is covers pretty much everything from the motor, to the trans; pretty much all of the powertrain.
Honda Motor Co. states that they will fix or totally replace all parts and accessories that have a defect. So if there is a major failure, you have absolutely nothing to pay since the certified hybrid comes with a warranty. The Powertrain coverage varies, but what is covered under this is the engine, transmission, and anything associated with the drive train.
A 1-year, 12,000 mile guarantee is good on non-powertrain stuff like the air conditioning, heating, fuel system, suspension; things of that nature.
source: http://automobiles.honda.com/certified-used/warranty.aspx
Tags: certified, civic, cpo, honda, hybrid, pre owned, used, Warranty
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Anytime there is a good idea someone copies it. Major movies companies spy on each other then quickly steal ideals from their competitors…..think Deep Impact and Armageddon, Bugs Life and Ants, Volcano and well I can’t think of the other one right now; but you get my drift. So it was not really a shocker when the new Honda Insight looks exactly like the Toyota Prius. Well, why did the Honda engineers copy, I mean decide upon the wedge shape.
Well first, the shape of the Prius has a low drag coefficient. So exactly what does that mean? The more aerodynamic the shape of something; say a plane, the less wind resistance there is holding it back. Think about the Space Shuttle for instance
. The Shuttle has a wedge shape that allows it to cut through the atmosphere. Well the shape of the Toyota Prius net the best economy possible based on shape. If the Prius was shaped like a Hummer it would hinder its fuel economy. So the Prius has a drag coefficient of 0.25 according to wikipedia; which is lower than a Lotus, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari. Actually it has the lowest coefficient of any mass marked vehicle on the road. So Honda was smart in taking the wedge shape into account when designing the Insight. And just so you know the Insight nets a 0.26 drag coefficient.
So the other reason is the status. When you see a Prius you instantly know that the driver is an individual who cares about the environment and therefore is better than you. That shape is what perspective hybrid owners seek. So buy an Insight and people will instantly love you.
Tags: coefficient, drag, honda, Insight, prius, shape, toyota, wedge, wind resistance
Posted in Hybrids, Insight, honda | 1 Comment »
Watch a used hybrid sale is like watching those crazy “Brides to Be” fight over Wedding Dresses at the year-end sale. Why all the drama for a used Civic Hybrid? Well it’s that Little Yellow CARB Sticker that causes people to go completely insane!
Life is good when you’re flying by those peons stuck in Southern California traffic! Want to become the envy of working-class drones everywhere? Well it is pretty impossible these days unless you have connections. I mean, only 60k of these stickers were passed out by the lovely California gov. Now they are all kaput!
There are only 2 ways to get a car pool lane sticker.
- Contact your local shady guy. He will go on the black market and buy one. Then sell it to you at double the agreed upon price.
- Buy a car with a little yellow car pool sticker on it already.
So really, do you want a Civic or a Prius; because that’s your only choices. Actually you can get an Old Skool Insight. Good Luck! Or you could buy a car that runs on Compressed Natural Gas or GNG. But those exploded every 10k miles.
So bite the bullet, knock a few “Brides to Be” out, then buy a Honda Certified Hybrid.
A town like Los Angeles has the traffic as emotionally painful as waterboarding. So do yourself a favor and grab a hybrid.
Tags: Air, automobiles, board, carb, Cars, civic, cng, environment, honda, hybrid, natural gas, resources, sticker
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