All-new 2010 Honda Insight Now On Sale

22nd April 2009

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The all-new 2010 Honda Insight hybrid hatchback goes on sale today across Canada, coinciding with Earth Day. With a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $23,900, the new Insight is Canada's most affordable hybrid vehicle.

"The Honda Insight brings fuel-efficient hybrid technology within closer reach for many new car buyers in Canada with its affordable pricing," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. "On Earth Day, it's important to be mindful of the benefits that hybrid technology can have in helping to reduce our impact on the environment through fuel efficiency and ultra-low emissions."

The distinctively styled, 5-passenger, 5-door dedicated hybrid vehicle is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist(TM) (IMA(TM)) system comprised of a 1.3-litre i-VTEC(R) gasoline engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that together contribute to a Transport Canada fuel economy rating of 4.8 L/100 km (city) and 4.5 L/100 km (highway). The Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist(TM)), an innovation that can further enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles.

A sleek exterior blends design elements from the original 2000 Insight's highly aerodynamic side profile with a front-end design similar to the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity, a marquee environmental product for Honda. The interior offers a roomy passenger environment with a configurable rear seating and cargo area that benefits from 60/40 split fold-down seats.

A 4-cylinder engine with intelligent variable valve timing and a DC brushless electric motor forms the foundation of the IMA(TM) hybrid system. The electric motor, positioned in-line between the engine and the transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations, and recaptures energy from the vehicle's forward momentum during braking.

The Insight introduces Eco Assist(TM) to help drivers achieve improved real-world fuel economy. Eco Assist(TM) is a feature designed to help drivers optimize fuel efficiency for their given set of driving conditions. Pressing a dash-mounted ECON button can further enhance the efficiency of multiple vehicle systems, including throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation.

Eco Assist(TM) also provides feedback about driving style via a 3D-appearing background within the speedometer. The background changes colours from blue to green to reflect how efficiently or inefficiently the driver is accelerating or braking. The driver's results are continuously tracked as fuel economy ratings are shown per drive cycle and on a lifetime basis in the form of plant-leaf graphics that appear in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Up to five leaves can be 'earned' as the driver demonstrates a fuel-efficient driving style. A real-time score is shown in the Eco Guide MID screen.