Overview
In order to achieve their goal of making the Insight the world's most
fuel-efficient gasoline-powered automobile, Honda engineers designed an entirely
new gasoline-electric drive system called Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™).
The IMA system offers the advantages of a hybrid propulsion system - low
emissions and high fuel efficiency. In addition, it offers several advantages
generally not associated with such systems, such as simplicity, light weight and
"transparent" operation (the driver does not need to alter his or her
driving -style to take into account the battery charge or driving range).
Another advantage of the IMA system is its long-range driving capabilities - the
Insight can travel in excess of 600 miles on a single 10.6-gallon tank of
gasoline.
- World's lightest, most efficient 1.0-liter gasoline automobile engine
- Meets California Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards
- Offset cylinder bores minimize piston side-thrust friction
- Compact, high-strength connecting rods
- Low-friction pistons
- Lightweight magnesium oil pan with integrated oil-filter bracket and
AC-compressor bracket
- Lightweight, plastic intake manifold, water-pump pulley and valve cover
- Compact lean-burn VTEC-E cylinder head with single rocker-shaft valvetrain
- Coaxial, low-friction roller-element rocker arms
- Compact integrated exhaust manifold - exhaust manifold is integrated into
the cylinder head casting (world's first use on a gasoline automobile
engine)
- Nitrogen oxide adsorptive catalytic converter
- Ultra-thin IMA electric motor assists gasoline engine during acceleration,
functions as a generator to recharge the battery pack during deceleration
and serves as the gasoline-engine starter motor
- IMA Power Control Unit (PCU) efficiently controls electric power
distribution, DC-DC voltage conversion and charging system
- Idle-stop system
- Compact nickel-metal hydride battery pack saves weight and needs no
external charging system
- Lightweight 5-speed manual transmission