Honda Insight to enter Malaysian shores
Honda Malaysia today released an announcement stating its intention to introduce the Insight hybrid for the Malaysian market next month. Slated for a debut in the upcoming Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2010 (KLIMS ’10), Honda promises that the Insight will be an ‘affordable’ purchase without stating a specific value.
“As the pioneer in introducing hybrid technology in Malaysia, Honda Malaysia is indeed excited to be able to introduce Insight to the local market in such a timely manner. With both import and excise duty fully slashed until next year-end, this affordable yet stylish hybrid will surely have a positive impact on the Malaysian society and its environment,” said En. Rohime Shafie, President and Chief Operating Officer of Honda Malaysia.
He added that, “The introduction of Insight, we foresee, will make an attractive package to environmentally conscious customers, whose intention was dented by the premium hybrid cost. With the introduction of Insight, an advanced yet affordable green technology, one could adopt a more eco friendly lifestyle effortlessly.”
Like the Civic Hybrid, the Insight’s powertrain utilizes Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) architecture. It features a 1.3-litre SOHC i-VTEC petrol engine paired with a 13hp electric motor. A CVT sends power to the front wheels.
In keeping with the car’s green theme, appropriate driver aids are integrated into the vehicle’s control systems to encourage gentler driving behaviours. The Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) combines functions such as a driver-activated ECON mode and real-time fuel economy display to help the drive optimize fuel consumption in a journey.
Safety-wise, the Insight has a 6-star rating by JNCAP for driver safety, and 5-star for passenger safety. Standard safety gear includes dual airbags, ABS, EBD, active head rests, and pedestrian friendly front crumple zones. The chassis design features Honda’s Advanced Compatibiliy Engineering (ACE) structure, which reduces injury potential for occupants of both the Insight and also the colliding vehicle.
Pictures: Official Honda release.
