- Excellent fuel economy
- Low drag coefficient
- Poor ride quality
- Cabin lacks sound insulation
- No boot
Overview
Released in March 2001, the Honda ZE1 Insight was the first hybrid car to be sold in Australia. Manufactured in Suzuka, Japan, the Insight was a front-wheel drive, three door liftback that was powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a 10 kW permanent-magnet electric motor which drew power from a 144 volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack.
E07Z engine and electric motor
The 1.0-litre E07Z engine had a single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and Honda’s VTEC-E system which consisted of two different intake cam profiles per cylinder to increase combustion efficiency at low RPM. The engine also had a a Lean Air-Fuel Sensor (LAF) which could result in air-fuel ratios as lean as 22:1, depending on throttle position and engine load. The hybrid powertrain operated as follows:
- During acceleration, power to the front wheels was supplied by the petrol engine and assisted by the electric motor;
- In steady-state cruising, power was supplied solely by the petrol engine;
- During deceleration and braking, the electric motor acted as a generator to recharge the nickel-metal hydride batteries; and,
- When stationary, the electric motor did not supply power and the petrol engine could switch off to conserve fuel and re-start when the clutch pedal was depressed.
Dimensions, steering and suspension
Inside, the Insight had only two seats and its aluminium body was 3955 mm long, 1695 mm wide, 1355 mm tall and had a 2400 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the Insight had a drag coefficient of 0.25 Cd. The Insight was fitted with electric power steering, strut-style spring/damper front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle with twin trailing arms.
| Power source | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0-litre petrol I3 | 5sp man. | 50 kW | N/A |
| Electric motor (144 volt battery pack) |
10 kW | 49 Nm | |
| Combined | 56 kW at 5700 rpm | 113 Nm at 1500 rpm | |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the ZE1 Insight included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Features
Standard features for the Honda Insight included 14-inch alloy wheels with 165/65 R14 low-rolling resistance tyres, a four speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, central locking, power windows, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, cargo net and an immobiliser.
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