Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Coupe
Production years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
In 1999, Honda tried to launch a highly fuel-efficient vehicle with a gas-electric powerplant under the hood, but it was not a revolution.
Toyota got a better start with the Prius, which was launched in late 1997. Honda waited for another two years and introduced the first generation of the Insight in 1999. It was designed as a commuter car and advertised with a very optimistic fuel-efficiency. Its problem was that, in real life, a Civic was almost as economical as the Insight, but it offered four doors.
The soap-like coupe was intriguing and attracted a lot of attention to it when Honda introduced it on the North American market. Its tear-drop like headlights and futuristic look was unusual for those times. After the long hood, compared to the car's length, the raked windshield and the arched, short greenhouse made the vehicle looks like a toy. In the rear, the high mounted triangular taillights were very visible, and the introduction of a vertical glass panel on the liftgate greatly improved rear visibility.
Inside, the Insight featured a pair of bolstered seats at the front and a big shelf in the back, like a trunk. The part-digital, part-analog instrument cluster helped the driver get a smaller fuel consumption and constantly showed its efficiency.
Under the hood, the 1999 Insight featured a 3-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor. The assembly was paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Honda introduced a CVT in 2000.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.0L 5MT (69 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L3 |
Displacement: | 995 cm3 |
Power: | 51 KW @ 5700 RPM 69 HP @ 5700 RPM 68 BHP @ 5700 RPM |
Torque: | 68 lb-ft @ 4800 RPM 92 Nm @ 4800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Hybrid |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 111.9 mph (180 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 12 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165/65R 14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 155.3 in (3945 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 53.3 in (1354 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.5/52.2 in (1,435/1,326 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 4.9 cuFT (139 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.25 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1808.1 lbs (820 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 57.4 mpg US (4.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 78.4 mpg US (3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 69.2 mpg US (3.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 81 g/km |