Detroit NAIAS 2009: 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid returns an EPA certified 40/43 mpg

  • “¢  Competes with: Toyota Prius.
  • “¢  40/43 mpg (city/highway); Driving range of 400 miles.
  • “¢  Arrives in April 2009; Priced below the Honda Civic Hybrid.

Honda has taken the wraps off of the 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid. All 2010 Insights are powered by a 1.3L SOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT transmission. That engine works together with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology that allows for an EPA rated fuel-economy of 40/43 (city/highway) mpg. Besides that outstanding fuel-economy, the 10-kilowatt (13 hp) electric motor IMA hybrid system, along with a 10.6 gallon fuel-tank, allows for driving range of more than 400 miles.

At the 2008 LA Auto Show, Honda showed off its new Ecological Driver Assist System (ECO Assist) that helps owners get the most ‘greenness’ out of their Insight Hybrid. The driver activated ECON mode optimizes the control of the CVT transmission, engine and other powertrain parts to increase fuel-efficiency. Real-time feedback from the Insight is displayed on the new speedometer display in cool changing background colors. See a plant-leaf graphic on your speedometer? That means your being a good boy and driving very efficiently.

Click through for more info and the high-res image gallery.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid:

   

 

Standard features on all 2010 Honda Insight Hybrids include 60/40 split and fold-down rear seatbacks; two-tier digital instrument panels; automatic climate control; power windows, mirrors and door locks; a tilting and telescoping steering wheel and a 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 audio playback, an auxiliary audio input jack and Speed-Sensitive Volume Control (SVC). The Honda Insight EX model adds alloy-wheels, cruise control, a 6-speaker audio sysetm with a USB audio interface, paddle shifters and Honda’s Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition.

 

The 2010 Insight will be available at Honda dealers in the U.S. in the beginning of April 2009 and will be priced below the Civic Hybrid.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid: