Honda plans to sell 5,000 units of the small Civic Hybrid Insight brothers first year in Germany. Is targeting the Japanese carmaker environmentally oriented private buyers and "green" companies
Praise and virtual pats economical driving and blame and negative assessment of excessive fuel consumption distributed the new Honda Insight. A sophisticated system for efficient use of fuel-touch optimized not only the interaction of the different vehicle components, but serves the purpose of training the driver.
What appears at first glance to be a gimmick is, in the opinion of Honda spokesman Alexander Heintzel "Tamagotchi no substitute." Rather, the Japanese come up with the so-called Eco Assist to the wishes of customers, while driving to keep consumption as low as possible.
Sportier than its predecessor
Appeared in 1999, published on the scene with his predecessor extremely streamlined body and the rear wheels dressed more like a Birkenstock sandal on wheels, has the expected 18 at the April available new Insight an almost sporty design language. With a length of 4.40 meters, the five-door hatchback sedan between Jazz and Civic Hybrid is located.
The Insight is on a separate, newly developed platform. Only the engine room is similar to the hybrid brother. Located in this if the battery is behind the rear seats, which now also carry current donor has been migrated into the subsoil. In this way, the rear seat backs in the 60:40-split are allocated, so that a good usable trunk yields that holds 358 to 1017 liters.
No self-explanatory driving
Honda Insight is powered by a 65 kW/88 bhp, 1.3-liter gasoline engine. This is supported by an electric motor with an output of 10 kW/14 hp, which is so small and light by 29 percent as the electric unit in the Civic Hybrid. The system performance of the Insight amounted to 72 kW/98 hp. A fuel consumption of 4.4 liters per 100 kilometers and a CO2 emission level of 101 g / km are evidence of the potential that lies in hybrid drive.
To retrieve this also, requires the willingness of the driver to learn the system and adapt to the circumstances. These uniform and proactive driving are just as much as not very violent, but rather smooth braking, so as to otherwise useless verpuffende regain energy and save.
"Getting involved in the car" is the panacea of Dr. Heintzel, estimated the report having one week time to get used to a hybrid car. "Rather than sail along dahinpreschen" is the recipe for success at the end of the ride through flower symbols or even rewarded a virtual trophy instead of "punished" by the display of withered leaves are.
70 percent of new customers
Optimistic 5,000 units of Honda Insights plans in the first twelve months in Germany for sale. Consumption and cost-oriented and environmentally-oriented families and couples aged between 35 and 50 years, the Japanese manufacturer has identified as a specific target group, also companies that want to enhance their green image. Honda expects the Insight with a share of 70 percent and 15 percent new customers fleet customers.
Big loser at the appearance of the Insight, the Civic Hybrid will be. "He will then be sold barely," Dr. Heintzel is safe. No wonder, sees the new hybrid car from Honda but not only considerably faster, but is also significantly cheaper than available from 22,950 euros brother. The current Toyota Prius even beats with just under 6,000 euros extra cost impact.
