Lightweight alloy wheels are one of many features designed to enhance the vehicle's efficiency. P165/65 R14 low-rolling-resistance tires are mounted on lightweight alloy wheels with an aerodynamic design.

Honda engineers developed new body-construction technologies that take advantage of the weight savings offered by aluminum. Die-cast aluminum joints connect the extruded aluminum-frame components together, to which the roof, body and door panels are added to complete the construction.

The system immobilizes the engine's fuel injection and ignition, and only a matching digital code in the ignition key can override it. When the driver puts the key in the ignition switch, the system transmits a signal that reads the code in the key. If the code agrees with the code in the Powertrain Control Module, or PCM, the PCM lets the driver start the engine. Since there are around one million codes, it's practically impossible for a thief to program the key with the right code.

When driving the Insight, the gasoline engine provides the primary motive power. When additional horsepower and torque are needed, such as when accelerating hard or climbing hills, the electric motor provides assist to the gasoline engine using an electric current supplied by the nickel-metal hydride battery pack.

When the vehicle is cruising or decelerating, the motor functions as a generator and recharges the battery pack. This is called regenerative braking.

To reduce weight, a resin valve cover, intake manifold, and pulleys are used—as is a cast-magnesium oil pan, which also increases engine rigidity.

The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™) powertrain is a combination of a gasoline engine, an electric motor and a 5-speed manual transmission.*

In the area behind the driver and passenger are the electronic controls for the IMA system, the nickel-metal hydride batteries and gasoline fuel tank.

*Available as a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

The Insight's VTEC® system was designed to create a swirl effect in the cylinder. This allows the lean air-fuel charge to burn more completely and cleanly for enhanced fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions.

The CVT, or continuously variable transmission, uses a steel drive belt and two variable-ratio pulleys to give you the acceleration of a manual gearbox with the shift-free convenience of a standard automatic transmission.

The Insight's 1.0-liter, VTEC® 3-cylinder gasoline engine, with assist from the electric motor and equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, produces 73 hp at 5700 rpm and 79 foot-pounds of torque at 1500 rpm, with up to approximately one-third of this torque being supplied by the IMA™ electric motor. Insights equipped with the optional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) produce 71 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 89 foot-pounds of torque at 2000 rpm with assist from the electric motor.

On the left side are the gasoline engine's tachometer, coolant-temperature gauge and idle-stop indicator light. The center section has a large digital speedometer and an engaging fuel-efficiency display. On the right side are the fuel gauge, IMA™ Battery State-of-Charge indicator, IMA Charge and Assist indicators, plus an Economy Shift indicator.*

*Shift Indicator only available on Insights equipped with a manual transmission.

The Insight's electric motor is located directly between the engine and transmission. Only 2.3 inches wide, it supplies additional power to the engine when needed and, during deceleration, uses regenerative braking to recharge the battery pack.