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 a rigid, lightweight body, aerodynamic design and advanced, ultra-low emissions technology, the Insight breaks the 70-mpg barrier (in EPA highway tests) -- the world's best fuel economy for a gasoline automobile. Meeting California's stringent Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standard, the Insight can travel 600-700 miles on a single tank of gas; with Insight, the average American driver will visit the pump half as often.
Unlike a dedicated electric vehicle, Insight does not use an outside source of electric power; you never plug it in. The electric motor draws power from an advanced nickel-metal hydride battery pack to boost engine performance and acts as a generator during deceleration and braking to recharge the vehicle's batteries.
"The Insight combines high fuel economy and ultra-low emissions with comfort, performance and desirability," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Perhaps more importantly, the Insight is in keeping with Honda's philosophy of making environmental technology easy to use and broadly accessible to consumers."
Honda is pricing the Insight at less than $20,000 with a full complement of standard comfort and convenience features including anti-lock brakes, electric power steering, dual air bags, power windows and mirrors, power door locks with keyless entry, and an anti-theft Immobilizer system.
Debuting as a year 2000 model, the Honda Insight is a two-seater coupe developed purposely to achieve world-class efficiency. It features Honda's new 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-burn technology, low-friction design and lightweight materials such as aluminum, magnesium and plastic in combination with a new Honda-developed NOx catalyst to help remove oxides of nitrogen.
The 2000 Honda Insight is the culmination of decades of Honda research into lighter, more efficient and cleaner-burning vehicle technologies, and is the latest example of Honda's commitment to bringing new environmental technologies to market.
Written by: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
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