22 - North Share News - Friday. June 2, 2000 severeeerenve: ane eeeveconcssetneconcnecoccectes THE Honda Insignt is the first hybrid gasoline- electric car to be sold in Canada, and it will soon be followed by the Toyota Prius hybrid, __ and other hybrid vehi- ‘eles from Ford, Chrysler, GM, and other automakers. A common feature of these _ new hybrids is that they maxi- mize fuel economy and mini- mize emissions by combining a small gasoline-fuelled engine with a powerful battery and an electric motor. Electric rower is uscd to supplement the NORTH SHORE NEWS AUTOMOTIVE pht 11 times a year engine’s er, allowing the ust of a epaller and more fuel- efficient. engine. As well, the gasoline engine and electric ‘ motor/ generator can recharge THE ail-r:cw Honda Insight gascline-electric hybrid ear combines a small 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, electric motor, and nickel-metai hydride battery pack for incredible gae mileage. The aluminum-bodied, two- seater Insight is priced at $26,000. the battery, unlike in an elec- tric car where the battery has to be plugged in to an external power source. . The Insight’s tiny 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine achieves gas mileage that could only be dreamed of a few years ago: 3.9 litres 7 100 kilometres (72 m.p.g.) in the city, and 3.2 litres per 100 ” kilometres (88 m.p.g.) on the highway. The Insight is capa!'c of. sravelling 1,100 kilometres on a single tank of gas! And the Insight meets California’s strict ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) standards. . The amazing thing is that you can actually go down to your local Honda dealership and buy ane of these things today for $26,000. (Ed: Pacific Honda will be bappy ta take your order but do not expect to have another Insight on the lot until late June or early Jeely.) Insight is high-tech . It may be difficult to picture a small, two-seater economy car as a high-tech automobile, bur the Insight is one of the most »” technically-advanced production vehicles in the world today. It features a lightweight aluminum body and reinforced frame, alu- minum chassis components, and a simple but technically- advanced hybrid powertrain. ; In front is an all-new 1.0-litre 12-valve SOHC three-cylinder VTEC (variable valve timing) engine, a permanent magnet elec- tric motor, and a five-speed manual transmission. Under the ; floor is an advanced 144 volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack and power contro! unit. .. Primary motive power for the Insight comes from the 1.0- litre three-cylinder gasoline engine, but under certain conditions, such as accelerating from a stop, the ent magnet motor mounted between the engine and transmission provides extra power. Without electric motor assist, the small engine develops 67 ho wer @ 5,700 rp.m.and 66 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,800 rp.m., but with the assist, the horsepower increases to 73 ft.-Ib.@ 5,700 and torque increases substantially to 91 ft-lb. @ just 2,000 rp.m. . Unlike the acw Toyota Prius, the Insight’s gas engine runs all the time. The Prius is capable of running on battery power alone, engine power alone, or both. The Insight’s engine, by the way, is the smallest and lightest 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine in the world, according to Honda. It weighs just 56 kg (124 lb.). Some of its advanced features include an integrated cylinder head and exhaust manifold, plastic intake manifold, magnesium oil pan, and a special catalytic con- verter that absorbs nitrogen oxide emissions. As the Insight speeds up, the electric motor ceases to operate, and the gas engine takes aver. When coasting, and braking (in gear), the electric motor becomes a generator converting forward momentum into electrical energy and charging, the nickel-metal hydride battery pack when necessary. According to Honda, the battery is expected to fast the “life of the car” and has been tested in excess of 160,000 km without a significant loss of performance. The battery pack and electric motor are covered under the vehicle's emissions warranty for * eight years/136,000 kilometres. The cost of a new battery pack was not revealed, but personally, I would want to know this before I bought onc. Under certain circumstances, the engine will shut off auto- matically to save fuel. If the Insight is stopped, the shift lever is in neutral and the driver removes his/her foot from the clutch pedal, the engine will automatically stop. Engaging the clutch pedal and putting the transmission int gear will automatically start the engine. : : In addition to an aluminum body, the Insight has aluminum front suspension components. The independent MacPherson strut front suspension uses aluminum suspension arms and knuckles. For bendin y strength, the rear twist-beam made of steel and includes gas pressurized rear shock absorbers. |” The Insight’s 40-litre gas tank is made of plastic. The front brake calipets and rear brake drums are also made of aluminum. ion is Driving impressions While the insight has only 73 horsepower, it weighs only 852 kilograms (1,878 Ib.), so its power to weight ratio is quite good. From a standing start, the Insight will hit 100 km/h in about 11°” seconds — not as quick as a Honda Civic, but not a slug either. When starting off, the engine needs to be rewed up to about 2,000 r.p.m. so that its sensitive clutch will engage smoothly. Th five-speed manual transmission is a lovely transmission, with refa- - tively short, easy throws. Electric variable-assist power steering . ~~, requires little steering effort yet is reasonably quick and precise — this system is similar, but more compact than the one used on the Acura NSX and Honda $2000. The insight is a very manoeuver- : able car, due in part to its small size, tight turning circle (9.6 m/31.4 ft.) and light curb weight. co See Powertrain page 25 DRIVE A NEW 2000 VOLVO WITH A LEASE RATE AS LOW AS for life - Volvo of North Vancouver Sales & Leasing 710 Marine Drive 108 Bowser Avenue (604) 986-9883 (604) 986-6863 oi0c60 =¢=5 JIM PATTISON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP Service & Parts SEE US NOW FOR DETAILS ABOUT THIS SPECIAL 1.6% RATE ON NEW 2000 S80S, S70 SEDANS, V70 SPORTSWAGONS, AND V70 CROSS COUNTRY AWDS. SPECIAL EQUIPMENT PACKAGES ARE INCLUDED. 1.9% LEASE RATE IS BASED ON A TAX-FREE VARIABLE INVESTMENT WHICH WILL BE RETURNED IN FULL AT THE TERMINATION OF THE 36-MONTHLEASE. HURRY IN! OFFER ENDS MAY 31, 2000.