Gerald R. Lucas

I remember that the original Insight was before its time (like Apple’s Newton), so it didn’t do very well and it’s life was short-lived. It was rated at 70MPG, and it still seems like it’s the best fuel/electric hybrid, even today.

Honda unveiled its new Insight at the LA motor show last week, and it looks pretty sharp. It slated to go on-sale this spring and uses a new technology called “Eco Assist”:

Eco Assist combines multiple functions: the driver-activated ECON mode that optimizes control of the continuously variable transmission, engine and related powertrain components to conserve fuel; and a feedback function that uses speedometer background color to provide real-time guidance on environmentally responsible driving. An economy scoring function further provides feedback about current driving techniques, as well as feedback on cumulative, long-term driving style.

Sounds pretty cool, and it looks pretty cool — like a combination of the original Insight and a Prius. The feedback mentioned above is like an emissions score that “encourages drivers to take an interest in developing fuel efficient driving habits over the long term,” states the press release. It would be too slick if Honda added Wi-Fi to the car, so it could automatically upload the pertinent information to a tracking web site — with user permission, of course. That way, users could post a badge on their blogs, for instance.

Apparently the price point is going to be very competitive at around $20K. We’ll see. There are no other details, like MPG ratings, on Honda’s web site yet, but Wikipedia suggests that the MPG will be comparable to the first generation’s.

Now, if only I can talk Autumn into getting rid of her sorry Beetle.

Along similar lines, BMW announced that they will soon begin importing two diesel vehicles to the US: the X5 and the 335d. Check ‘em out. They are both sharp, and both get pretty good milage for being straight-up diesels. Still, I think I’d go for a hybrid.

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