Honda Insight to Feature Ecological Drive Assist System
Driver feedback system designed for fun and economy
A new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist(TM)) will debut on the all-new Honda Insight hybrid car when it comes to market this spring. The Honda Insight Concept, making its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, provides a strong indication of the design and styling of the all-new gasoline-electric hybrid model from Honda.
Eco Assist combines multiple functions: the driver-activated ECON mode that optimizes control of the CVT (continuously variable transmission), engine and related powertrain components to conserve fuel; and a feedback function that uses speedometer background colour to provide real-time guidance on environmentally responsible driving. An economy scoring function further provides feedback about current driving techniques, as well as feedback on cumulative, long-term driving style. "Many Canadian motorists, especially hybrid vehicle drivers, enjoy trying to get the most fuel economy from their vehicles," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. "The visual nature of Eco Assist is designed to help Insight drivers improve their efficient driving skills by making the hybrid experience both fun and rewarding."
Honda developed the powertrain control, driver guidance and driver feedback functions of Eco Assist to help enhance real-world fuel economy. In particular, the scoring function provides cumulative, long-term feedback through graphic 'leaves,' which grow over time as drivers learn and implement driving practices that increase fuel economy. Activated by a green "ECON" button on the instrument panel, ECON mode optimizes control of the powertrain elements to conserve fuel and also adjusts air conditioner operation, increases the potential for engaging the idle stop feature sooner and increase battery charging during regenerative braking.
The guidance function uses the speedometer background's colour-changing, three-dimensional appearance to indicate fuel efficiency in real time. Fuel-saving activities such as smooth acceleration and braking make the meter glow green. Somewhat less efficient driving makes the meter glow blue-green. Aggressive starts and stops that consume extra fuel make the meter glow blue. By observing the speedometer background's response to driving practices and by seeking to achieve a consistently green colour, drivers can receive assistance in developing driving habits that typically enhance fuel economy.
The scoring function provides feedback about current driving practices, as well as cumulative, long-term feedback tracking progress. Located in the center of the instrument panel, the Multi-Information Display (MID) offers drivers a selection of informational displays, including the scoring function in which the number of tree-like 'leafs' displayed indicates the level of environmentally responsible driving performance. When the ignition switch is on, the display scores driving practices in real time. When the ignition switch is turned off, the 'leafs' in the top line of the display score driving in the just completed cycle (startup to shutdown), while a horizontal bar in the lower part of the display scores cumulative lifetime performance.
The MID also allows drivers to view fuel economy figures for the past three trips, as well as instantaneous and average fuel economy statistics. The scoring function encourages drivers to take an interest in developing fuel-efficient driving habits over the long term. Going on sale in North America next spring, the all-new, purpose-built Insight will come to market at a price below that of hybrids available today. From this unique position in the marketplace, the Insight will advance the affordability and accessibility of hybrid technology to a new generation of buyers. With its affordable price, the new Insight will represent the best value in its segment. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new hybrid vehicle will be produced at an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at the Suzuka factory in Japan.
The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year with about half of those in North America. Following the launch of the new Insight, Honda also plans to introduce another unique sporty hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z, a concept car shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. The original Honda Insight was introduced in December 1999 as North America's first gasoline-electric hybrid car. The original Insight was designed from the ground up to demonstrate the ultimate potential for fuel-economy in a two-seater subcompact automobile.
Honda is committed to offering products with the highest environmental performance produced at factories with reduced environmental footprints. A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced the first low-emission vehicles; North America's first gas/electric hybrid car (Insight); and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle (FCX), among numerous other environmental achievements.