Two questions

[markinbxl]

I have shortlisted the HI as my next car.

I've got only two questions that my homework hasn't cleared out yet.

1. can you drive in electric mode only? Specially in snarl, stop-n-go traffic?

2. how wide is this car (mirrors included)? My parking space is quite narrow and I'd like to know whether it would fit or not.

TIA,

Mark in Belgium

[mrkcohen]

1. can you drive in electric mode only? Specially in snarl, stop-n-go traffic?

Short answer: No.

Honda's IMA system is not a duel mode system. That is, for the most part the car is never propelled by the electric motor alone. In certain situations fuel flow to the cylinders is shut off and by pressing ever so slightly on the accelerator the car is powered by just the electric motor, but this is usually just downhill and for very short periods. Even in this case however the crankshaft is still coupled to the electric motor and will spin simultaneously.

2. how wide is this car (mirrors included)? My parking space is quite narrow and I'd like to know whether it would fit or not.

Specs from the 2010 Insight owners manual. (Not sure if the width includes the mirrors, but they do fold in if necessary. I would guess the mirrors are each about 6-7 inches or 152-180 mm wide.)

Length 172.3 in (4,377 mm)
Width 66.7 in (1,695 mm)
Height 56.2 in (1,427 mm)
Wheelbase 100.4 in (2,550 mm)

Best of luck whatever you choose.

Cheers...

[Rainsux]

Sorry, no, you can't drive in electric mode only.

Wikipedia gives the following dimensions: 3,945 mm (155.3 in) in length with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm (94.5 in) a height of 1,355 mm (53.3 in) and a width of 1,695 mm (66.7 in).

Sam