Is Honda committed to the Insight model?

[firsthonda]

Originally Posted by alam99

Plus, Honda executives have publicly stated that they intend to build cars which are more fuel efficient than the Prius. I think this means that the IMA will be going away, perhaps as early as the 3rd generation Insight. Until the day Honda regains the crown for having the most efficient mass-produced vehicle, they'll be in the Prius' shadow.

Honda HAD a vehicle that was more fuel efficient than the Prius; the first generation Insight. I believe the IMA can achieve the same if not more fuel efficiency than Toyotas System. The key is a bigger/more powerful battery.

Cobb has been getting 70+ MPG(with his 2010 Insight) with the addition of a PHEV Kit. More battery capasity= More MPG.

I'm probably going to end up getting a PHEV Kit myself.

[Zwolfe]

I'm pretty sure IMA is here to stay.

Going back to Honda doing things differently than other companies, they definitely do.

Taking a look to transmissions, they don't use automatic planetary transmissions. They use an automatic transmission which mimics a standard transmission, which was originally called Hondamatic.

Honda does not like to pay royalties for technology, so they come up with their own technology. This is why I see IMA staying unless Honda feels that it is worth while to invest more into R&D to build a different hybrid system.

I like the IMA system. They've got a lot of time and money tied up into it. They can always improve it rather than scrap it.

What Honda needs is access to better batteries / figure out how to shove more battery power into cars and still turn a good profit (which is likely the #1 problem).

Cobb is a perfect example of what the IMA system is capable of. IMA isn't the problem. It's a highly scalable system, not to suggest Toyota, Ford & etc.'s systems are not.

There is an ever-growing market for aftermarket battery systems for hybrids of all kinds. One that is not being developed nearly enough for my own likes.

[firsthonda]

79mpg? - YouTube

79mpg? - YouTube

[Cobb]

That trip to the Honda dealer was very rewarding. Not only did I get free sodas and crackers, I got a print out of how to find and replace the eld. I asked about hooking up the HIS/HIM scanner, but they had no clue what I was talking about.

They have the new stretchie/elastic band hats that has no visible adjuster and its a nice fit.

Like all manufactures they have more room to expand. I think a larger or parallel battery if the lifepo4 civic upgrade works out, we got new stuff on the table. It just seems the prius was designed to beat the epa test as it doesnt require idling with he ac on, where as the insight does. I think from reading of the gen 1 forum, if we have the same hvac wires, I would be inclined to wire in a switch to keep the car in auto stop or keep it running in regards to the hvac, the other stuff is what it is.

There is a guy with the crz stick shift with an enginer 4 kilowatt phev kit. He can get 70mpg too driving throughout the mountains of TN. He finds the more he lugs the car, the more assist he gets til it maxes it out or he sucks the pack down faster than it can be recharged by the phev kit. He too has fried an enginer converter rated at 5000 watts.

So, for another 4 grand or so on top of an IMA capable Honda you can get upwards to 70mpg.

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[Moviemike]

Originally Posted by firsthonda

Honda HAD a vehicle that was more fuel efficient than the Prius; the first generation Insight. I believe the IMA can achieve the same if not more fuel efficiency than Toyotas System. The key is a bigger/more powerful battery. ...

I'm hoping that lithium ion batteries will become available for cars over the next 2 years. If so, my current I2 IMA battery will be 5 years old, and perhaps ready for replacement? if so the greater storage capacity would mean more ev mode for me, and an easy 60 mpg per tank full. Which would be up from my current 50.2 average for the last 30,8xx miles.

[firsthonda]

Originally Posted by Cobb

So, for another 4 grand or so on top of an IMA capable Honda you can get upwards to 70mpg.

I'm hoping to do it for 2 grand with a 2kw kit. Also, don't forget the 30% tax write off. If you factor that in, a 4kw costs $2,800 and a 2kw costs $1,400.

[Cobb]

Thats assuming you do not owe any taxes. Otherwise instead of cash back, you get a discount on what you owe.


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[firsthonda]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Thats assuming you do not owe any taxes. Otherwise instead of cash back, you get a discount on what you owe.

It all amounts to the same thing anyway. If you have an installer do the work that's deductible as well.

[firsthonda]

Originally Posted by Cobb

. I think from reading of the gen 1 forum, if we have the same hvac wires, I would be inclined to wire in a switch to keep the car in auto stop or keep it running in regards to the hvac, the other stuff is what it is.

If you just shut off the climate control, it will stay in auto stop for as long as you need. Since I got my plug in electric seat, I really don't find it necessary to use the heat, even on 20 degree days.

[Cobb]

I find in this colder weather even with the hvac off it will still drop out of autostop or not even enter it. I hear the blower for the ima system on for the first ten minutes with an electrical sound like a resistance heater. Then it shuts off.


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