Green Cars, Hybrid Cars, Electric Cars and Clean Diesel News: Honda Introduces Ecological Drive Assist System, to Debut in New Insight Hybrid

Honda Introduces Ecological Drive Assist System, to Debut in New Insight Hybrid
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baki on 20 November, 2008 05:42:00
 
The Honda Insight Concept, making its North American debut at the Los Angeles
Auto Show, provides a strong indication of the design and styling of the
all-new gasoline-electric hybrid model from Honda.
Eco Assist combines multiple functions: the driver-activated ECON mode that
optimizes control of the continuously variable transmission, engine and related
powertrain components to conserve fuel; and a feedback function that uses
speedometer background color to provide real-time guidance on environmentally
responsible driving. An economy scoring function further provides feedback
about current driving techniques, as well as feedback on cumulative, long-term
driving style.
Honda developed the powertrain control, driver guidance and driver feedback
functions of Eco Assist to help enhance real-world fuel economy. In particular,
the scoring function provides cumulative, long-term feedback through graphic
'leaves,' which grow over time as drivers learn and implement driving practices
that increase fuel economy.
Activated by a green "ECON" button on the instrument panel, ECON mode optimizes
control of the transmission, engine and other powertrain elements to conserve
fuel. ECON mode also adjusts air conditioner operation, increases the potential
for engaging the idle stop feature sooner and increase battery charging during
regenerative braking.
The guidance function uses the speedometer background's color-changing,
three-dimensional appearance to indicate fuel efficiency in real time.
Fuel-saving activities like smooth acceleration and braking make the meter glow
green. Somewhat less efficient driving makes the meter glow blue-green.
Aggressive starts and stops that consume extra fuel make the meter glow blue.
By observing the speedometer background's response to driving practices and
seeking to achieve a consistently green color, drivers can receive assistance
in developing driving habits that typically enhance fuel economy.
The scoring function provides feedback about current driving practices, as well
as cumulative, long-term feedback tracking progress. Located in the center of
the instrument panel of the all-new Insight, the Multi-Information Display
offers drivers a selection of informational displays, including the scoring
function, in which the number of 'leaves' displayed indicates the level of
environmentally responsible driving performance.
Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda introduces the Eco Assist System
that will debut on the Honda Insight in spring 2009, at the Los Angeles Auto
Show
When the ignition switch is on, the display scores driving practices in real
time. When the ignition switch is turned off, the 'leaves' in the top line of
the display score driving in the just completed cycle (startup to shutdown),
while a horizontal bar in the lower part of the display scores cumulative
lifetime performance.
The Multi-Information Display also allows drivers to view fuel economy figures
for the past three trips, as well as instantaneous and average fuel economy
statistics. The scoring function encourages drivers to take an interest in
developing fuel efficient driving habits over the long term.
Going on sale in North America next spring, the all-new, purpose-built Insight
will come to market at a price significantly below that of hybrids available
today. From this unique position in the marketplace, the Insight will advance
the affordability and accessibility of hybrid technology to a new generation of
buyers.
With its affordable price, the new hybrid vehicle will represent the best value
in its segment. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at
an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at the Suzuka factory in Japan.
The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year
-approximately 100,000 in North America. Following the launch of the new
Insight, Honda also plans to introduce another unique sporty hybrid vehicle
based on the CR-Z, a concept car first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
The original Honda Insight was introduced in December 1999 as North  America's
first gas-electric hybrid car. The original Insight was designed from the
ground up to demonstrate the ultimate potential for fuel-economy in a
two-seater subcompact automobile.