The fuel economy battle is at an all time high and car manufacturers try to do more to get their cars to consume less fuel thereby saving money for your pocket and the environment. The most popular, not essentially the most efficient fuel saving technique is the use of Petrol engines and an electric motor to power these cars: thus the term HYBRID.
Toyota practically defined the Hybrid market with its Prius.
2010 Toyota Prius
1st generation Honda insight
It wasn’t the 1st hybrid car to be made ( Honda actually released the 1st insight 7 months before the original Prius) but its launch was timely and the fact that it had rear seats probably helped secure its position as the Poster car for Hybrids.
2nd Generation Honda Insight
The insight now in its 2nd generation has grown in character and size, even taking a cue from the styling of the prius. Honda seems to have overcome the major draw backs from the first generation Honda insight. Lack of driver involvement, no rear seats, wary styling: all gone. Honda also thought it necessary to “UP” the power. The original insight had a 1.3L 3 cylinder engine putting out 67Hp mated to a 13Hp electric motor. This was good enough for 3.9L/ 100KM of road consumed. Honda this time around features a four cylinder engine doing 88HP while keeping the 13Hp electric motor is good for 5.5L/ 100KM of road. A fair trade for economy for better driver feel and rear seats.
Honda’s second attempt at making a mass market hybrid is a worthy one. Its sleek styling, better driving manners and over all grown up feel could just assist Honda surpass its 17,000 unit sales for the 1st insight.