2005 Honda Insight Road Test

Batteries Included

There is a growing concern about the state of the world today, and it's been reflected in the Honda Insight. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

There is a growing concern about the state of the world today, and it's been reflected in the modern automobile. Technologically speaking, we're miles away from yesteryear when cubic inches and leaded gasoline reigned supreme, but the end is nigh. For a while in the early '90s, electrical power looked to be the answer to our automotive related environmental concerns, but for its nonexistent tailpipe emissions, drivers paid the price with limited range and the problem of recharging. Honda noted the benefits of electrical power, however, and cleverly found a way to harness it to assist a regular gasoline engine, and thus, the first hybrid was born.

The Insight was the first vehicle to debut Honda's IMA system, which combines a lean and green gasoline engine with a small electric motor, battery pack and a neat little high-power starter. This is one toy where the batteries are included!

The Insight was the first vehicle to debut Honda's IMA system, which combines a lean and green gasoline engine with a small electric motor, battery pack and a neat little high-power starter. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

If I said the gas-powered side of the Insight's IMA system was average, or boring, I'd be lying - the whole system from tip to tail is full of clever economy-boosting tricks, some of which manage to humble the knowledge gained while obtaining my recently acquired IB Chemistry diploma. The gas portion of this two-part equation consists of North America's lightest engine; a tiny, 56 kg (124 lb), 1.0-litre SOHC 12-valve inline three, which was destined from the first pen stroke on blueprint to be all about fuel efficiency. The 'Power of Dreams' - or perhaps a severe overdose of gung-ho in Honda's R&D department has resulted in the use of aluminum for the block, the world's first one-piece head and exhaust manifold, lightweight connecting rods, and plenty of low-friction parts to conserve energy. Racing technology benefiting a two-seat hybrid? Who'd have figured? But wait, there's more...