It was said that riding a bike and taking public transportation among other things are ways to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. Having Honda Civic as one’s car would definitely contribute in saving mother earth as well and that is because this vehicle is considered the king of fuel efficiency and low emissions.
Manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda, two – seater and a hybrid automobile Honda Insight was hailed the most fuel efficient car of 2006 by edmunds.com, provider of automotive information. Rankings were based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) miles-per-gallon ratings for city and highway travel. It was introduced in the U.S December 1999 and was the first mass-produced hybrid automobile sold in the country. The Insight was introduced at a price of just under US $20,000.
The Honda Insight was a subcompact hatchback 3945 mm (155.1 in) in length with a wheelbase of 2400 mm (94.5 in) a height of 1355 mm (53.3 in) and a width of 1695 mm (66.7 in). Three different trims were available: a manual transmission without air-conditioning, a manual transmission with air-conditioning, and a continuously variable. The Insight’e entire weight for a manual transmission was only 1847 lb (838 kg) and 1964 lb (891 kg) for the CVT with air conditioning. The vehicle’s increaed fuel efficiency was due to reduced mass via the extensive use of plastic and aluminum.
Aside from it being fuel efficient, one of the vehicle’s main highlight is its design. Some drivers considered the shape of the Insight too unusual, much like GM’s EV1. Its flat back was similar to the CRX, while the broad, rounded hood resembled Honda Civic’s design.
The Insight, together with Honda NSX and the Honda S2000, was assembled at the Honda factory in Suzuka, Japan. It was perceived by most observers that the future direction where the Insight was heading was the concept car Honda IMAS, a lightweight hybrid car made of aluminum and carbon fiber and a very fuel – efficient one. Honda IMAS was introduced at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show.
Honda announced in 2006 that production of the Insight would stop in September 2006 while year round production of the Insight would stop in 2006. The company decided to discontinue production of the Insight with the introduction of a new small hybrid-specific car planned for 2009—a hybrid version of a Honda Fit or something like it.
As for its awards, the Insight’s engine won the International Engine of the Year award for 2000, and continued to hold the "Sub-1 liter" size category for the next six years. The Insight was also nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2001.
The car is too excellent that the New Car Test Car commented, “"It drives like a normal small car, yet it is one of the most fuel-efficient and cleanest gasoline-powered cars in the world."
