yep regenerative braking IIRC

 

The only thing I noticed was under deceleration, the car almost self brakes. I think this is from the car charging the batteries though, not the cvt.

.......

That would make sense for any hybrid. If you properly reverse terminals on a DC motor, it becomes a DC generator. As you decelerate, the car's physical energy drives the generator, and it pumps power back into the battery for subsequent usage. That also reduces wear and tear on the disk pads.

 

Just thought I'd try to shed some light on the new Insight. Yes the "self-braking" is caused from the regenerative braking that the Insight uses to charge it's battery. When in "ECON" mode, the ecu actually maximizes the regenerative braking even more than just in the regular cruising mode or the "s" mode (which is actually a little more fun to drive). ECON also withholds 4% of the available engine power during normal acceleration and reduces the a/c power and even shuts it off during the "auto off" mode at red lights and stop signs.

Personally, I think the fit is a LOT more fun to drive. It obviously has more power (not huge numbers, but more none the less) and has 4-wheel independent suspension. The Insight is the only Honda car right now that has a torsion beam rear suspension, which draws on the handling of the vehicle a little.

As far as the CVT is concerned, it is a little mind-numbing not to actually feel the tranny shift gears, but if you get the EX model with paddle shifters, you can manually "shift" gears with up to 7 preset "gears" that honda has programmed. Now, while these aren't actual gears, it does give the car a more "normal" feel.

As far as gas economy goes, like it's been mentioned, the Insight EPA estimated is only 41mpg, below even that of the civic hybrid, but that's because in 2008 the EPA restructured the rules to provide more accurate readings for cars. During the Insight evaluation they were not allowed to engage ECON mode as they considered it an outside force acting upon the engine. Different newspapers and magazines and websites have been reporting 54-66mpg on the Insight.

Compared to the Prius, the Insight has WAY more comfortable seats, uses nicer materials for the interior, has the ability to lay the rear seats nearly flat without the seatbelts hanging across the seat, has a tighter suspension and feels way faster off the line. All of the controls on the Insight are also a lot more ergonomically correct and as lame as it may seem, the Insight has a floor mounted shifter compared to the (sometimes) confusing joystick of the Prius. When compared to an equally equipped Prius, the Insight is actually about $4000 cheaper, and in my opinion looks WAY better. Now, I still think the Fit looks 10x better than both of them, but that's just me. The Insight is also a simple hybrid compared to the Prius which is a little more complicated. For instance, the Prius doesn't actually have a transmission...ya, think about that one! The Insight only needs 1 battery, and it's about 25% the size of the Prius' battery, which allowed Honda to put it closer to the ground, helping reduce body roll and allow more underfloor storage in the hatchback of the Insight.

Ok, there's your little Insight/Prius/Fit lesson. Ha, I hope you all learned something interesting!

 

the Fit doesn't have independent either.

 

Gas WILL be expensive again. It's just a matter of the economy recovering.

I saw a baby blue Insight in the showroom the othe day. That color is UGLY....it's like a robin egg blue. Makes the car look cheap. Hopefully they steer clear of that color.

 

You're right. My bad, the fit has a semi-independent twist beam rear. It still handles better from the test drives I've done.

 

Way I look at it, is that for a commute car, I'm coming from an M3 in going to my Fit. Not sure I'm willing to go all the way to the Insight, seems way too tame for me.

Today is Friday, the Fit stays home and I drive the Boxster. Had an interesting commute, where I was passed by an F355 and a Z06 that stopped side-by-side at the next light, and proceeded to do a full burn-out drag race, until they caught up to a pack of school buses. Needless to say, while my Boxster is faster than my Fit, with only 228 HP, I was not a participant in this display of power.

 

About 1.5 weeks ago I was getting my first oil change on the Fit and I got a chance to drive a new Insight.

I love the Fit, but wish I had waited and bought the Insight instead. I can't really do it now unless a rich relative leaves me a bunch of money.

I think the Insight is a great new Honda and I do want one eventually.

Here's what I like better about the Insight (EX w/ NAVI):

• Heated mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Climate control system
• VSA
• Temp display in the dash
• The whole dash is very high-tech looking w/ the digital speedo and all the displays for climate control, MID, FE and NAVI
• All the cool gauges and monitors for checking your fuel economy
• All the steering wheel controls for everything (include bluetooth)
• Voice activated controls for the car (like climate control commands!)
• LED tails & projector headlights
• Seemed a little more cushy and grown-up than the Fit
• Very classy looking in white, black, polished metal and red
• Programmable menu for car controls (auto-lock, etc)
• 41/43 mpg which for me would probably translate to 50-55

I like the Fit better for:

• Looks
• Power
• Handling
• Headroom
• Magic Seats!
• Foglights
• Cargo space
• Rear seat passenger comfort
• Rearward visibility
• Shorter and easier to park

Maybe in a couple of years, if the funds are available I will upgrade. Until then I will enjoy my Fit.

 

If I were in the market for a hybrid the only one I would consider is the new Prius. The new model is a huge improvement over the old one. I also think it now looks a heck of a lot better than the Insight, which I find to be a homely looking little car. Unlike the Fit which has a fresh, original looking exterior the Insight is so derivative of the older Prius Honda should be sued for trademark infringement.

 

You ever seen a Citroën C3?

 

Well gas is $4+ in Tokyo, and people are still buying Fits...

I don't think Honda will ever be building a plug-in Hybrid... They are probably going straight to electric. Plug-in hybrids carry too much weight.

 

The reason it mimicks the prius is because that is pretty much the best shape, aerodynamic wise, you can achieve. The slanted front and the chopped off back.

It's not that they copied them, it's just that it's a very aerodynamically sound shape. See the chevy volt too...same concept, Slanted front end, and chopped off back.

 

plus really the prius stole it's design from honda does the prius not remind you of the crx....