The motor car - a concise history.
"a reminder for some, an introduction for others"
Honda: Environmentally Friendly / Green Hybrid Cars
9.4 Honda
- Insight: In 1999 Honda produced the 1 litre Insight model, a two-seater hybrid car which employed the company’s first generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology.
- 10 kW of electrical power was provided by Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries to an electrical motor which, during fast acceleration, provided additional power.
- Because the car cannot run on the electric motor alone the Insight is not a consdered to be a "full" hybrid vehicle.
- During deceleration a process called regenerative braking is used; the motor acting as a generator to recharge the batteries.
- Whenever the car has to stop an on-board computer automatically turns off the engine; quickly restarting it when the car needed to move.
- When production ceased in 2006 nearly 14,000 Insight models had been sold.
- Civic Hybrid: Honda produced the first-generation Civic Hybrid between 2003 and 2005.
- It was fitted with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology and continously variable transmission (CVT).
- The 1.3 litre car uses a VTEC Cylinder Cut-off System, which allows up to three cylinders to cease operating during deceleration.
- 15 kW of electrical power provided by NiMH batteries.
- In the second generation (2006-07) model the power of the 1.3 litre petrol engine was increased to 93 hp (69 kW) and a more powerful battery fitted.
- The 2006-07 models were full hybrids because they could also run solely on the battery during low speed cruising.
- The 2006 hybrid versions of the Civic also included a 2-door coupe and a 200 hp (149 kW) Si coupe.
- An average fuel economy figure for the Civic Hybrid of just over 47 mpg (US) has been achieved.
- Civic Accord: Honda started production of the Accord Hybrid in 2005.
- The car, which has a 255 hp (190 kW) 3 litre petrol engine and a high-torque electric motor, uses the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system.
- The Accord Hybrid uses the petrol engine in most situations, with the electric motor being used when extra power is required. Battery information required.
- Regenerative braking is used to recharge the battery pack when the brakes are applied.
- An average fuel economy figure for the Accord Hybrid of just under 32 mpg (US) has been achieved.
© copyright - form and function
