For all those people who love to drive like they are going to a fire � even on a lazy Sunday morning � Honda's new Insight can provide some needed training.
The 2009 model of the Honda Insight gas-electric hybrid will teach you how to drive economically. Ten years after it debuted, the next Insight will be the first with Eco Assist technology that manages the car for enhanced fuel economy.
Honda, which is showing the vehicle at the LA Auto Show, says an "Econ" mode "optimizes control of the continuously variable transmission, engine and related powertrain components to conserve fuel.." It also reduces reliance on the air conditioner, shuts off the engine earlier when stopping/idling, and increases the regeneration of battery power from the brakes.
Most importantly for all the lead-foots and jack-rabbit starters out there, Eco Assist provides feedback on how green you are driving by lighting the dash green if you're doing well, or blue if you're burning needless gas. The system tracks not only how you're driving on any given day, but also over time.
It's unfortunate that the folks who could learn � and save � the most from this kind of training probably won't be the first to shop for a smallish hybrid. If this driver training proves popular, Honda should quickly spread it to all of its vehicles.
Honda aims to sell 100,000 Insights per year, which is well more than the total number of Insights the company has sold to date. No price or MPG figures are forthcoming; only that it will be "significantly below that of hybrids" today. So, I'll guess that means around $15-16K.
If gasoline hovers between $3.50 and $4.00 next summer, Honda may meet its sales objective.
(I'm currently in Brazil, and 90 percent of the cars here are close to Insight size, and people function just fine.)
