The outstanding efficiency of the Honda Insight is the result of Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™), which pairs a compact, 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine with an ultra-thin electric motor.
A lean-burn* fuel-injection system and VTEC® (variable valve timing and lift electronic control) technology improve power and economy.
Aluminum alloys and exotic magnesium are the keys to keeping things light on the Insight. Even the slick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission is designed to be especially lightweight. Brilliant friction-reducing measures make both engine and transmission exceptionally efficient. And underscoring the sophistication of the Insight is the fact that the first tune-up is scheduled at 105,000 miles.**
*For manual transmission only.
**Does not apply to fluid and filter changes. See your owner's manual for details.
Aluminum alloys and exotic magnesium are the keys to keeping things light on the Insight. Even the slick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission is designed to be especially lightweight. Brilliant friction-reducing measures make both engine and transmission exceptionally efficient. And underscoring the sophistication of the Insight is the fact that the first tune-up is scheduled at 105,000 miles.**
*For manual transmission only.
**Does not apply to fluid and filter changes. See your owner's manual for details.
Click on an engineering feature below for more information.
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 Insight comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT offers the convenience of an automatic transmission with the greater fuel efficiency and performance of a manual transmission.
Honda engineers improved on the basic strut design by installing a high-mounted steering rack with long tie-rod links. These links move in long arcs that, in turn, effectively govern the front-wheel toe angles throughout suspension movement. The result: a big improvement in handling precision and stability versus a conventional strut system.
The IMA™ electric motor works in conjunction with the gasoline engine, and supplies additional torque in assist mode. The motor's ultra-thin design allows it to be mounted between the engine and the transmission. The motor also functions as the generator for the IMA System during deceleration, and as a starter, quickly spinning the engine up to idle speed.
The Integrated Motor Assist System (IMA™) is composed of a gasoline engine and an electric motor, and has several important functions. Located between the engine and transmission, the electric motor supplies additional power during acceleration. It also functions as a high-speed starter and as a generator for the charging system during regenerative braking.
The Honda Insight accelerates well and is extremely fuel efficient—two important qualities made possible by weight-reducing technologies. Lightweight aluminum is a key ingredient in the vehicle body; and the Insight is built using innovative fabrication techniques.
VTEC® technology developed by Honda enables reduced emissions and higher fuel economy.
