|
Hybrid Cars help save the environment. They are growing more popular in the US , but for right now there are only 3 models:
the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius.
I am going to focus on the Honda Insight.
HONDA INSIGHT: The Honda Insight's layout is a simplified parallel hybrid. It has an electric motor coupled to the engine
at the spot where the flywheel usually goes. Honda will call this system: "Integrated Motor Assist." The Assist
also has a five-speed manual transmission. For people that prefer automatic transmission, the Honda Insight CVT is now available
to the public. The electric motor helps in several ways. It assists the gasoline engine, providing extra power while the car
accelerates or goes up a hill. It provides some regenerative braking to capture energy during braking. It also starts the
engine, which eliminates the need for a starter. But the motor cannot power the car by itself ; the gas engine must be running
for the car to move. The Insight is designed to get the best mileage possible. Honda relies on these three areas to make sure
this is possible: the weight is reduced, the car which is already small uses a lightweight aluminum body and structure to
further reduce the weight. Because the car is much smaller Honda was able to use a smaller , lighter engine that still maintains
great performance. The Insight weighs less than 500 pounds. It has a small engine, the engine of the Insight weighs only 124
pounds and is a tiny 1.0 liter three-cylinder that produces 67 horsepower at 5,700 rpm. It uses Honda's VTEC system and uses
also lean burn technology to maximize efficiency. The Insight has an EPA mileage rating of 61 mpg/city and 70 mpg/highway.
Also, the Insight goes 1 to 60 mph in 11 seconds. With the electric motor running the Insight produces 73 horsepower at 5,700
rpm. The electric motor on the Insight is rated at approximately 13 horsepower at 3000 rpm. The Insight really uses advanced
aerodynamics. It is designed using the classical teardrop shape: the back of the car is narrower than the front. The rear
wheels are partially covered by bodywork to provide a smoother shape.These tricks result in a drag coefficient of 0.25, which
makes it one of the most aerodynamic cars on the market.
You never have to plug the Insight into an electrical outlet; the motor generates all of the power needed to charge the
battery.
(Please check the "Links" section to find a link on Hybrid Structure diagrams.)
|
