Technology

The heart of the system is the fifth generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. Over the years the system has evolved and become smaller, more lightweight and less expensive to produce, and the latest version in the new Insight is the most advanced IMA technology introduced by Honda to date.

The Insight features a new highly efficient 1.3-litre, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine. This i-VTEC unit has been further enhanced with an improved fuel economy. The low friction, pattern coated piston design has been combined with a new catalyst design to further optimise this already highly efficient power unit.

As well as a new engine, the Insight gets a new, improved motor which uses coils with high-density windings and high-performance magnets to produce 10kW and 78Nm. But the real step-forward with the motor has been its reduced size, shape and weight.

The Insight's battery has also been updated, making it smaller and lighter than previous IMA vehicles, with size reduced by 19% and weight by an impressive 28%. It contains 7 modules with a dozen D-size cells each. The power output of the modules is 30 percent greater than the Civic and the pack has a total capacity of 580 Wh. The cooling system and recovery speed of the battery has also improved, meaning that with power from regenerative braking can charge more quickly and therefore deliver power to the electric motor more regularly.  The power electronics, motor ECU and an air cooling system are all integrated with the battery pack.

Honda has produced an affordable, efficient, exceptionally frugal and low emissions car but there are styles and techniques of driving that can be employed to take even greater advantage of the IMA technology. The Eco Assist system developed for the Insight allows drivers to take greatest advantage of the IMA system, helping them achieve the best possible fuel economy.

ECON:

When the ECON switch is depressed, the Insight enters a ‘super economy’ mode, resulting in the following:

• Power output is limited and torque is reduced by 4 per cent (except when the driver presses the pedal to the floor)
• Smoothes driver accelerator input to optimise throttle position and engine speed by maintaining the throttle opening to match the speed and conditions. The driver can override the system at any time
• Smoother CVT shift pattern
• Regenerative brake energy is increased
• Idle stop time is increased
• Air conditioning operates more frequently in the recirculation mode
• The fan blower power is reduced more frequently to limit the system’s consumption of energy
• During Idle Stop mode (the engine turning off when the car is stationary), the air conditioning fan shuts down

Using a CVT auto transmission with the IMA system provides smooth and predictable gear transitions and helps keep the IMA system operating in its most efficient range. In the Insight, an evolution of the high-torque CVT auto unit from the Civic is used.

This version of CVT auto has a lower final drive gear ratio (4.200 from 3.937), which results in faster-acting initial acceleration performance.

The Insight benefits from paddle shifts, so quick gear changes can be made from levers just behind the steering wheel.