HONDA "INSIGHT" HYBRID
WORLD DEBUT
HONDA "INSIGHT" HYBRID
WORLD DEBUT
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., debuted its all-new "Insight" gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, the world's most fuel efficient gasoline-powered vehicle, which goes on sale in the U.S. this December. Insight is the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle to be sold in the United States. American Honda Executive Vice President Tom Elliott says the all-new Insight travels more than 70 miles on a single gallon of gasoline (EPA highway estimate) and meets California's stringent Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standard. Insight is the world's cleanest, most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered automobile, and will sell for less than $20,000.
Using Honda's innovative gasoline-electric hybrid system combined with arigid, lightweight body, aerodynamic design and advanced, ultra-low emissionstechnology, the Insight breaks the 70-mpg barrier (in EPA highway tests) --the world's best fuel economy for a gasoline automobile. Meeting California'sstringent Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standard, the Insight can travel600-700 miles on a single tank of gas; with Insight, the average Americandriver will visit the pump half as often.
Unlike a dedicated electric vehicle, Insight does not use an outsidesource of electric power; you never plug it in. The electric motor drawspower from an advanced nickel-metal hydride battery pack to boost engineperformance and acts as a generator during deceleration and braking torecharge the vehicle's batteries.
"The Insight combines high fuel economy and ultra-low emissions withcomfort, performance and desirability," said Tom Elliott, executive vicepresident of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Perhaps more importantly, theInsight is in keeping with Honda's philosophy of making environmentaltechnology easy to use and broadly accessible to consumers."
Honda is pricing the Insight at less than $20,000 with a full complementof standard comfort and convenience features including anti-lock brakes,electric power steering, dual air bags, power windows and mirrors, power doorlocks with keyless entry, and an anti-theft Immobilizer system.
Debuting as a year 2000 model, the Honda Insight is a two-seater coupedeveloped purposely to achieve world-class efficiency. It features Honda'snew efficient and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA(TM)) hybrid system.
At the heart of the IMA system is the world's lightest 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline automobile engine. The engine uses advanced lean-burntechnology, low-friction design and lightweight materials such as aluminum,magnesium and plastic in combination with a new Honda-developed NOx catalystto help remove oxides of nitrogen.
The 2000 Honda Insight is the culmination of decades of Honda researchinto lighter, more efficient and cleaner-burning vehicle technologies, and isthe latest example of Honda's commitment to bringing new environmentaltechnologies to market.
Written by: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
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