Honda’s Affordable Hybrid Technology

The roads of Britain will be a little greener as the new Honda Insight becomes an affordable hybrid choice for eco-warriers.

SINCE 1999 Honda have been working on hybrid automotive technology and have already produced some good examples, most notably the Civic IMA. Like the popular Toyota Prius, the Civic IMA rolled out for around £20,000 which is generally beyond the reach of your average eco-warrier. After spending all their money on compost bins and ethically sourced everything only the wealthy could drive these hybrids.

Honda have taken their years of experience in this field and produced a more affordable hybrid vehicle that doesn’t compromise style and function. Available for a reported £15,000 this April it undercuts it’s rivals and begins to become affordable hybrid for the masses.

The Business End

The obvious environmental advantages of driving this Honda Insight are the fuel consumption which can be up to 64.2 mpg and the carbon emissions at just 101 g/km. From a 1.3-litre that’s pretty impressive!

Because it’s a hybrid you can drive all round inner city London and Boris Johnson won’t ask for a penny. This technology is exempt from paying congestion charges and with these low emissions it will only cost you £15 a year in car tax.

What Else?

So all the stats look good and the sums definitely add up so what else does it have to offer?

Not only is this car capable of these economic driving figures but it will also help you learn how to drive more economically. The lighting behind the screen glows a friendly green whilst the car is being driven economically, however it will turn a guilty blue when you begin putting your foot down too hard.

Your journey is also rated and it will give you a score in number of trees depending on how well you performed.

Not only is this a rather trim spec on the inside but the aerodynamic shape of the car gives it a futuristic, distinct look that sets it aside from others on the road. It also functions well as a practical, usable family with a large boot and spacious 60/40 split seats.

On the down side once this car leave the safety of the urban environment it lacks power. Whats more it will tell you off for trying to use any. Those who don’t like being told what to do may find the concept of a Japanese computer programmer telling them how to drive off putting.

What Do They Say?

Commenting on the debut of the Insight, Ken Keir, Managing Director of Honda (UK) said: “Honda has been selling hybrids for almost a decade, but this is the first time that our technology has been available in a five-seat, five door car at an affordable hybrid price. The Insight combines our award winning IMA hybrid system with an easy to use driver aid (Eco Assist) to help our customers maximise their real world fuel economy.”

He continues, ”by combining an electric motor with a highly efficient petrol engine, the Insight offers drivers not only low CO2 emissions, but also very low emissions of other greenhouse gasses like N2O.”

Conclusion

If people are going to buy themselves a new car in the recession it will probably be one that will not cost a lot in tax and petrol. Whilst also looking good and functioning well this may well be the affordable hybrid choice of many.

Check out my other sources on compare hybrid, hybrid suv and vehicles models.

Ed Dooley (http://www.carpress.co.uk/motoring-news/green-car-news/hondas-affordable-hybrid-technology)