Hope the next Insight has technology
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Dan,
I hope Honda follows the lead of offering a long list of optional items. I think Toyota is making a nice profit off the fully loaded Prius. It would seam that US drivers are more willing to buy a small car if it has a lot of creature comforts. The navigation on the prius also does a lot of other things such as keep track of maintenance, trip info (Still no LMPG), callendar, phone book etc. Also don't forget the bluetooth link. The Prius could also get a few ideas from the insight such as the FCD, LMPG, LRR Tires and a aluminum boday, not to mention styling. Have fun, RIck
I hope Honda follows the lead of offering a long list of optional items. I think Toyota is making a nice profit off the fully loaded Prius. It would seam that US drivers are more willing to buy a small car if it has a lot of creature comforts. The navigation on the prius also does a lot of other things such as keep track of maintenance, trip info (Still no LMPG), callendar, phone book etc. Also don't forget the bluetooth link. The Prius could also get a few ideas from the insight such as the FCD, LMPG, LRR Tires and a aluminum boday, not to mention styling. Have fun, RIck
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My technology wish list for the Insight 2 (in no particular order): 
Head Up Display (HUD) - so that we can see the road AND the instantaneous MPG
LED Lights all round
7 speed gear box - apparently the physical optimum for vehicles; would allow for even more efficient high speed cruising
20kW IMA Assist (double existing) - with Lithium batteries?
Sat Nav / TV - as an option
As a nod to MIMA, a IMA switch that has three positions - Higher Assist, Higher Charging and Normal
6 Airbags
Head Up Display (HUD) - so that we can see the road AND the instantaneous MPG
LED Lights all round
7 speed gear box - apparently the physical optimum for vehicles; would allow for even more efficient high speed cruising
20kW IMA Assist (double existing) - with Lithium batteries?
Sat Nav / TV - as an option
As a nod to MIMA, a IMA switch that has three positions - Higher Assist, Higher Charging and Normal
6 Airbags
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243 Posts
I guess I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I like my cars simple. Simple and functional. Give me a car free of bells&whistle but is still well designed and well built.
Most of that junk you want will just add weight (which will hurt MPG) and reduce MTBF.
I like the insight equiped as is. Maybe loose the the power windows, the thermostat in the climate control and the rear wiper.
But that's just me....
Most of that junk you want will just add weight (which will hurt MPG) and reduce MTBF.
I like the insight equiped as is. Maybe loose the the power windows, the thermostat in the climate control and the rear wiper.
But that's just me....
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Agree with your sentiments Flunkysama, I had previously suggested in a different topic that Honda could make two versions of the Insight - the Extreme and the Comfort versions.
Of course the Extreme would be aimed at the hypermilers out there, with the lowest possible kerb weight - i.e. no rear wiper, no power steering etc etc
Of course the Extreme would be aimed at the hypermilers out there, with the lowest possible kerb weight - i.e. no rear wiper, no power steering etc etc
I'm all for extra goodies. Side impact air bags would deffinitely be nice to have (heck it might get a 5 star rating with those) as well as other creature features. I wouldn't mind a factory leather option (06 Prius is going to have a dealer leather option I think), plus the keyless entry and start would be cool. Other things to increase efficiency would be nice too like LED's and HID's. And a decent stereo option would be great as well.
All things considered though I can't complain too much. I realize to offer so many options on a limited production car would make the price for them go way up. I've added half of the above mentioned features to my car anyways.
All things considered though I can't complain too much. I realize to offer so many options on a limited production car would make the price for them go way up. I've added half of the above mentioned features to my car anyways.
For me, the rear wiper is a huge plus; but otherwise I'm totally with flunkysama. I'd like manual windows (I mean, the car is tiny-- it's not hard to reach across and roll down the passenger window...).
What I'd really like is manual steering. I got to try it out on a Ford Aspire for a bit, and it made me feel like I was picking up arm strength with no real downside. And the car would be lighter.
I dislike the thermostat climate control and I'd love to see it gone.
I would really like a decent sound system. And I'd like infinitely variable front and rear wipers, though I don't know if such a thing exists.
And I'd like decent cupholders--somewhere you could actually fit a cup, and easily reach! My '83 Volvo had a tiny tray above the radio that was great for pens... That'd be nice. If they put the cupholders in, say, the doors, and the radio down lower, there would be a good space for stuff.
But yeah, I prefer simple changes, and less weight.
What I'd really like is manual steering. I got to try it out on a Ford Aspire for a bit, and it made me feel like I was picking up arm strength with no real downside. And the car would be lighter.
I dislike the thermostat climate control and I'd love to see it gone.
I would really like a decent sound system. And I'd like infinitely variable front and rear wipers, though I don't know if such a thing exists.
And I'd like decent cupholders--somewhere you could actually fit a cup, and easily reach!
My '83 Volvo had a tiny tray above the radio that was great for pens... That'd be nice. If they put the cupholders in, say, the doors, and the radio down lower, there would be a good space for stuff.But yeah, I prefer simple changes, and less weight.
I'm on the "keep it simple" side. Most of the suggestions seem like totally useless technology. For instance, why should a car have a phone book? So people can cause more accidents looking up numbers they want to call on their cell phones?
There are useful things that could be done with technology, but nobody seems to think of those. For instance, replacing rear-view mirrors with LCD screens. It would cut drag, and with a bit of image processing, get rid of the glaring SUV headlighs in the mirror. And as long as you're doing that, why not add another looking ahead with night vision, etc?
There are useful things that could be done with technology, but nobody seems to think of those. For instance, replacing rear-view mirrors with LCD screens. It would cut drag, and with a bit of image processing, get rid of the glaring SUV headlighs in the mirror. And as long as you're doing that, why not add another looking ahead with night vision, etc?
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James,
With the integrated phone book and Bluetooth technology you can make a call hands free. Simply push the button on the stering wheel for voice command, and the call will be made from the number stored in the phone book. Neither hand has to leave the steering wheel so it is much safer than someone trying to make a call using a phone. Now you could argue that you can't talk and drive at the same time and perhaps that is a challenge for some but no more so than if they were talking to a passenger and we arn't making cars single seat yet. Have fun, RIck
With the integrated phone book and Bluetooth technology you can make a call hands free. Simply push the button on the stering wheel for voice command, and the call will be made from the number stored in the phone book. Neither hand has to leave the steering wheel so it is much safer than someone trying to make a call using a phone. Now you could argue that you can't talk and drive at the same time and perhaps that is a challenge for some but no more so than if they were talking to a passenger and we arn't making cars single seat yet. Have fun, RIck
Not necessarily. When a passenger sees that you are trying to merge, or whatever, the conversation naturally pauses, whereas someone on a cell phone far away keeps yacking. I think I've seen a study that confirms that intuition, but I can't locate the reference.Rick Reece said:
Charlie
Here's that study:
http://www.utah.edu/unews/releases/03/j ... phone.html
http://www.utah.edu/unews/releases/03/j ... phone.html
Which was my point Glad the scientific study confirms it. There's no excuse (ok, maybe very rare emergencies like reporting an accident) for talking on a cell phone while driving.
As for the comparison to talking to passengers: well, I don't do a whole lot of that either. Even when I have one who insists on holding a conversation, I tend to sort of background it out. I may listen, as I'd listen to news on the radio, but I won't be saying much, and nothing that requires any great thought.
Glad the scientific study confirms it. There's no excuse (ok, maybe very rare emergencies like reporting an accident) for talking on a cell phone while driving.As for the comparison to talking to passengers: well, I don't do a whole lot of that either. Even when I have one who insists on holding a conversation, I tend to sort of background it out. I may listen, as I'd listen to news on the radio, but I won't be saying much, and nothing that requires any great thought.
I agree with the simplistic approach. I tend to keep cars well past their warranty and thus, I prefer fewer things that can break. Ditch the rear wiper, give me manual windows, and maybe a tire repair kit to save a few pounds versus carrying a spare. I could do without the power assist steering but here in Texas air conditioning is a must. I do think the heads up display would be a great a safer idea and assuming many of these cars are used for extensive drives a GPS would be a great option.
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Hybrid features I'd like to see in a 'fantasy' Insight:
1) Put in a 2nd gen IMA engine similar to the proposed '06 civic engine, but give it lean burn mode as well.
2) heads-up display of speed, rpms, and instant mpgs (keep this as simple as possible)
3) Always-live 12v power outlet that stays on when the ignition is off, and perhaps a 110v power outlet as well (for all the electronic gadgets I like to keep charging)
4) Electric cruise control mode-- would lock in a throttle position, and use the battery pack (regen/assist) to maintain speed. It might need a bit more "trickle charging" to pull this off, but if it didn't have to vary the throttle or exit lean burn, this
5) I'd love to be given a choice between more or less aggressive assist/regen modes. More aggressive would be nice for short climbs, less aggressive for long climbs. These IMA controls should be right on the steering wheel.
6) Smart AC management that would run the compressor using battery power, or the belt (when coasting). From the looks of it the '06 Civic will have something like this already.
7) push-button engine start (this would make killing the engine much easier for the truly obsessed hypermilers...)
A skilled driver with the new 2nd gen IMA system and the above features could probably average phenomenal MPGs with such a car.
1) Put in a 2nd gen IMA engine similar to the proposed '06 civic engine, but give it lean burn mode as well.
2) heads-up display of speed, rpms, and instant mpgs (keep this as simple as possible)
3) Always-live 12v power outlet that stays on when the ignition is off, and perhaps a 110v power outlet as well (for all the electronic gadgets I like to keep charging)
4) Electric cruise control mode-- would lock in a throttle position, and use the battery pack (regen/assist) to maintain speed. It might need a bit more "trickle charging" to pull this off, but if it didn't have to vary the throttle or exit lean burn, this
5) I'd love to be given a choice between more or less aggressive assist/regen modes. More aggressive would be nice for short climbs, less aggressive for long climbs. These IMA controls should be right on the steering wheel.
6) Smart AC management that would run the compressor using battery power, or the belt (when coasting). From the looks of it the '06 Civic will have something like this already.
7) push-button engine start (this would make killing the engine much easier for the truly obsessed hypermilers...)
A skilled driver with the new 2nd gen IMA system and the above features could probably average phenomenal MPGs with such a car.
Some of your wishes can be achieved using Mima to control the electric motor. Yup, I plan to put the controls on the steering wheel.
I'd like to see an Insight with that new Civic IMA engine system too, then slap a turbo on it!!!!!!! But for my personal car I'd like better gas mileage and forget the extra power.
I'm hoping to put a GPS system in my present Insight along with an inverter for tools etc.
I'd like to see an Insight with that new Civic IMA engine system too, then slap a turbo on it!!!!!!! But for my personal car I'd like better gas mileage and forget the extra power.
I'm hoping to put a GPS system in my present Insight along with an inverter for tools etc.
Cheap way to do that would be to get one of those indoor/outdoor thermometers from your local garden store - the ones with an LCD display and a probe on about 10' wire. I think they're about $15. The one I've got (in the house, not car) also records high & low temps...
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The most important features for me are:
Pluginability (but maybe don't advirtise it)
The 06 technology (transmission, vtec-3),
Direct (cylinder) fuel injection (Think super lean burn),
and Li+ Batteries.
A better CD never hurt anyone either.
Pluginability (but maybe don't advirtise it)
The 06 technology (transmission, vtec-3),
Direct (cylinder) fuel injection (Think super lean burn),
and Li+ Batteries.
A better CD never hurt anyone either.
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