After driving approximately 2,000 miles with the MIMA modification, I can say without reservation that this feature has exceeded expectations, and that for me, the “novelty” hasn’t yet worn off. In fact, I don’t think it ever will
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Those of you who’ve been waiting patiently for the MIMA modification will hopefully soon wonder how you’ve ever lived without it.
My driving habits are basically conservative with regard to fuel consumption. However, it’s been a great adventure to develop a new approach to driving that involves selecting the mode of operation, a joystick that controls the level of assist and regeneration, and additional attention to operating parameters, specifically engine RPM, battery current, speed, and battery temperature. This isn’t necessarily easy on busy highways and in gridlock traffic, but eventually, with practice, it becomes more familiar.
Except in extreme weather conditions, when the MIMA mode is not necessarily useful, the daily commute with this modification is never boring. Initially, I activated the MIMA mode approximately 20% of the time. Now, it’s activated approximately 80% of the time.
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With fuel prices increasing these days, my colleagues are increasingly curious about Sputnik’s fuel economy. While most could only wish for 50+ mpg, my consistent 90+ mpg, when not an initiator of disbelief, is an increasingly common subject of discussion around the water cooler.
With mounting evidence of auto emissions being a contributing cause for global warming, a relatively simple modification that provides a 15%+ improvement in fuel economy seems like a moral imperative.
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While I don’t really fit into the “boost head” category, I’ll admit to the occasional urge to demonstrate to the driver of an adjacent behemoth who casts a condescending glance at the stop light, just what 10+ kilowatts of additional power can do in a lightweight vehicle such as the Insight.
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It seems as though one of the greatest reservations about installing this modification has been apprehension about premature battery pack failure. I’m still not without such apprehension. However, despite the ability to apply over 100 amps of assist, and over 60 amps of regeneration current, I mostly limit the assist to 60 amps, and the regen to 40 amps.
Since installing the modification, I’ve had only 2 negative recalibrations. Considering the preceding driving conditions in both cases, neither of these were a total surprise.
By having control over assist and regen, and ultimately the state of charge, all while monitoring battery temperature (affected by climate, parking conditions, and usage) I now have much less apprehension about premature battery pack failure than I did before installing the MIMA modification.
In the case of the “other” MIMA modified Insight, it seems remarkable how the battery pack continues to survive in apparent perfect condition, despite extreme cycling during development, test, and “high performance” :twisted: driving.
