Honda ZE2.I Insight (2010-12)

Overview

Released in November 2010, the Honda ZE2 Series I (ZE2.I) Insight was a five-door hybrid hatchback. Manufactured in Suzuka, Japan, the front-wheel drive Insight was powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 10 kW electric motor which drew power from a 100.8 volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The battery pack was covered by an eight-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

LDA engine and electric motor

The 1.3-litre LDA four-cylinder petrol engine had a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder and Honda’s i-VTEC system which consisted of:

Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) which could select from two camshaft profiles for low and high RPM operations; and,
Continuously variable timing of camshaft phasing on the intake camshaft (Variable Timing Control or VTC).

The 10 kW electric motor was positioned between the engine and the CVT to supplement the petrol engine during acceleration and certain cruising situations. When braking, the electric motor would act as a generator to recharge the battery pack and, when stationary, the petrol engine would shut down to conserve fuel. The Insight could also run solely on battery power at low speeds under light throttle inputs.

Dimensions and suspension

The ZE2 Insight had a hybrid platform which was adapted from the GM2 City (which was, in turn, based on the GE6/GE8 Jazz ). Compared to the GM2 City, the ZE2 Insight was 5 mm shorter (at 4405 mm), the same width (1695 mm), 25 mm taller (at 1435 mm) and had the same length wheelbase (2550 mm). Similarly, the Insight had MacPherson strut front suspension and H-shaped torsion beam rear suspension.

Honda ZE2.I Insight specifications
Variants	Power source	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
VTi, VTi-L	1.3-litre SOHC petrol I4	7sp CVT	65 kW at 5800 rpm	121 Nm at 4500 rpm
	10 kW electric motor	7sp CVT	10 kW at 1500 rpm	78 Nm at 1000 rpm
	Combined:		72 kW at 5800 rpm	167 Nm at 1000-1700 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the ZE2 Insight included dual front airbags, front side (thorax) airbags, full length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Insight received a five star safety rating which included a 90 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 74 per cent child occupant protection rating. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in an overall adult occupant protection score of 36.39 out of 37.

Features: Insight VTi and VTi-L

Standard features for the Insight VTi included 15-inch alloy wheels, six speaker sound system with CD player, MP3 and USB inputs, climate control air conditioning, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, cruise control, steering wheel gearshift paddles, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlets, a cargo blind, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

Beyond this, the Insight VTi-L added 16-inch alloy wheels, a satellite navigation system and DVD player, front fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Although the VTi-L omitted the VTi’s rear parking sensors, it was fitted with a reversing camera instead.

Brochure

Brochure: Honda ZE2 Insight (November 2010)

Honda ZE2.II Insight (2012-14)