Honda has announced that the CVT automatic transmission version of the Insight is now for sale in the U.S. The CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) system allows for a huge number of different gear ratios, permitting the Insight's gasoline engine and electric motors to be operated at their optimal speed, regardless of the car's speed.

The MSRP for the CVT Insight is $21,180. Here is a summary of how the CVT Insight compares to the 5-speed Insight, and continously-variable transmission Prius. Fuel efficiency estimates from from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures.

For more information on the CVT Insight, see these sections of the Knowledge Base:

What is the 'CVT' transmission?
Should I choose the 5-speed or CVT automatic transmission?

This is the press release Honda issued regarding the CVT Insight:

New Honda Insight CVT Model Earns 57-mpg City Rating

TORRANCE, Calif., May 10, 2001 -- Just in time to help consumers fight back against rising gas prices, a new version of Honda's fuel efficient Insight gasoline-electric hybrid car is now arriving at dealerships nationwide equipped with an advanced continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

With EPA fuel economy ratings of 57 mpg in city driving, 56 mpg on the highway. With a driving range of more than 500 miles, the Insight CVT is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in America with an automatic transmission. It is also the second most fuel-efficient vehicle overall -- behind only the Insight equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission with EPA ratings of 61 mpg city and 68 mpg highway. The Insight CVT carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $21,180.

The Insight CVT also meets California's Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard, the most stringent exhaust emissions standard in the world.

The CVT is completely automatic and provides virtually an infinite range of gear ratios for smooth and stepless shifting, combined with maximum efficiency and performance. These advantages make the CVT an ideal transmission for the high-mileage Insight hybrid.

The Insight CVT also has a unique "idle stop" feature, allowing consumers to avoid wasting gas while waiting at red lights or idling in traffic. The engine automatically re-starts when the driver's foot is removed from the brake pedal.

The Insight features Honda's exclusive Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system that merges the world¡Çs lightest 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline automobile engine with a thin and lightweight electric motor for improved efficiency and added power when needed.

The electric motor also acts as a generator during deceleration and braking to recharge the IMA batteries. The Insight's battery pack never needs to be recharged by an external power source and, in fact, cannot be plugged in.

The Insight has earned Four Star ratings in both frontal and side impact crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The two-seat Insight features a lightweight, rigid and aerodynamic body design. It is made primarily of aluminum and its 0.25 coefficient of drag is one of the lowest of any mass-produced automobiles in the world.

Honda's CVT design was first introduced on the 1996 Civic HX and received significant improvements for the introduction of the all-new 2001 Civic HX and Civic GX natural gas vehicle, and the Insight CVT model.