Honda Insight Hybrid [American Drivers Get Ready]

Sunday Times (London) ^ | May 17, '09 | Jeremy Clarkson

[T.L.Sink]

Much has been written about the Insight, Honda's new low-priced hybrid. So far, though, you have not been told what it's like as a car; as a tool for moving you, your friends and your things from place to place. So here it comes. It's terrible. Biblically terrible. It doesn't work. Acceleration is poor. And the sound is worse. So you're sitting there with the engine screaming its head off, and your ears bleeding, and you're doing only 23 mph and you're thinking things can't get any worse, and then they do because you run over a small piece of grit. There's more. Normally, Hondas feel as though they've been screwed together by eye surgeons. This model, however, feels as if it's been made from steel so thin, you could read through it. And the seats, finished in pleblon, are designed specifically, it seems, to ruin your skeleton.

[DoughtyOne]

It’s a little hard to tell, but I’m thinking the writer didn’t particularly care for the Insight. /s

It’s hard to believe the car could be this bad. Sales would be nil if it were.

[DoughtyOne]

When you have to get every bit of aerodynamic drag wrestled out of the vehicle, that only leaves so many shapes, basically one.

[squidward]

“Why did auto manufacturers decide every car had to look alike ... or at least like 1st cousins?”

I wonder this myself at times. I think the hybrid technology is great, but some of the cars look like turds. I have a Ford Escape Hybrid and LOVE it. I have at times reached an average of 41 mpg average in the city and mid 30’s on the highway. Plus it looks like a real vehicle.

[Nathan Zachary]

GM is also making a SUV hybrid and a light truck hybrid. They are all out this year (2010). They just reviewed them on driver TV today. (not very impressive)

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I was cuttin’ the grass near the street today when a bright yellow “Smart Car” drove by. The driver, a fat-lookin’ guy with a Santa Claus beard, wearin’ a Grateful Dead kind of teeshirt, didn’t look too happy when I pointed at his prize possession and started guffawing!

[mylife]

Pelosi GTxi

[Impala64ssa]

Then there’s a 2 cylinder “Nina” made in India for $2,500.00, which is what the CRAP GM, Crysler and Ford makes should sell for.
Another micro car from India that’s scheduled to be sold in the UK next year and possibly here after that, something called the “Tata”. The name’s quite appropriate! If you’re about to get in an accident in one of those death traps, put you’re head between your legs and tell your sorry butt, “TATA”.

[DoughtyOne]

Now that’s a shape I could get behind. I’d still prefer to be out front of it. Way out front of it...

As I understand it, they had to sacrifice brakes in order to keep the weight down. On the bright side, the car doesn’t go any faster than a dragging foot can handle for quick stops.

There’s a rumor going round, that the International Fellowship of Siamese Twins have named this car of the decade.

/s

[Nathan Zachary]

"I have at times reached an average of 41 mpg average in the city and mid 30’s on the highway. Plus it looks like a real vehicle."

Cars with real engines got that mileage in the 70's, until the government mandated higher bumper standards which added an extra 1000 lbs to them. Then emission standards further reduced gas mileage.

[org.whodat]

Consumer demand and the manufacturers’ scramble to serve it can be seen in the sales numbers. Auto sales in the U.S. fell 18% year-to-year in June, mostly due to sparse sales of once popular light trucks, which include pickup trucks and SUVs. Those light trucks represented 55% of all U.S. vehicle sales in 2005. In the first half of 2008, their share was down to 47%. In May, General Motors announced it would close four truck and SUV plants and roll out more fuel-efficient vehicles.Story from 2008, even more true today, I think Honda as been working on this thing a lot loner than obamma has been president!!Link to story:http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2012

[R. Scott]

I’ve checked the price of “economical Green cars”. The ten grand or so extra they cost will buy a lot of gasoline. Until they get to where they’re economical and hold more than husband, wife and only two (very little) kids I’ll leave them alone. What if the family wants to go shopping?

[org.whodat]

I am told the Volt which is Chevy’s new hybrid needs a push to get over a hill.

I'm told, you either know something are you don't where the link!!! Has FR been reduced to a rumor mill??

Volt spects, if you can belive GM

Power (kW / hp): 111 / 150

Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 273 / 370

http://gm-volt.com/full-specifications/

[Nathan Zachary]

Lightning GT - Standard Features * Anti lock braking system * Traction control * Regenerative braking * Electronic door entry * Programmable external engine sound generator * Central door locking * Alarm and immobilizer * Electric windows * Acoustic information and entertainment system * Part leather/alcantara sports seats * Forged alloy wheels * Tinted windows * Home based charging system (EVCS) with integral safety features * Hella focused beam halogen headlamps * LED taillights, front, rear and side-mounted lights Colours * Available in Electric Lightning Blue, black and silver as standard (as shown) Options & accessories * Air conditioning * Tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system * Satellite navigation system * Non standard colour / metallic paint * Full leather trim * Mobile charging system * Car cover

[I see my hands]

It’s not funny.

[Nathan Zachary]

Electric Lightning GT: 0-60mph- 4.0 Secs; 700+ bhp

[dalereed]

“we will be forced into a “national speed limit”....say, 45mph should do it. Can’t be killing off those greenies, can we?”

Raise it to 100 and wipe out the greenies!

[Isabel C.]

Hell, I’ll run over one of these environazi death traps in my Suburban and think it’s a speed bump.

Hell, then you'll be arrested.

[I_Like_Spam]

Its actually the same care and its called the Tata Nana.

Tata Motors is marketing it to Indians and other 3rd world people who now don’t have any cars at all.

It certainly would be a huge step backwards if they brought it here, but it still may be better than walking and cleaner to the environment than riding a horse.

[I see my hands]

"It’s hard to believe the car could be this bad. Sales would be nil if it were"

This car is a better car than Zero is a person and the American people bought him.

[DoughtyOne]

LOL...