- "The first hybrid vehicle from Honda had the characteristics and layout of a sports car."
- ―In-game catch text for the car, from GT6's Dealership
The Honda INSIGHT '99 is a road car produced by Honda. It appears in Gran Turismo 4, Gran Turismo PSP, Gran Turismo 5, and Gran Turismo 6.
Colors[]
There are five colors available for this car:
- Grand Prix White
- Silverstone Metallic
- Berlina Black
- Monte Carlo Blue Pearl
- New Formula Red
In-game description[]
Since the clamour for environmentally responsible cars, makers have been competing fiercely to create more fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles. The turning point came in 1997 with the debut of the 1st-generation Toyota PRIUS. In response, Honda offered its first hybrid in 1999: the 1st-generation Honda INSIGHT.
Against the PRIUS's image as a well-appointed hybrid saloon, the INSIGHT emerged as a 2-door sports car alternative; Honda was shooting for a hybrid sports car instead of a hybrid passenger car like Toyota's. The two vehicles' mileage performance in the 10-15 mode road test showed that the INSIGHT achieved about 4.4L/100km compared to the PRIUS's 4.9L/100km. This was not just due to the engine, but because the INSIGHT had kept loading to a minimum through lower kerb weight and better aerodynamics.
The powerplant was Honda's IMA hybrid system, a simple design where a gas engine provides the main driving force, supplemented by power from an electric motor. The engine, a 1.0L straight-3 SOHC lean-burning VTEC, is the lightest in the world to produce 69 BHP.
The engine is paired with a low-profile brushless 10kW DC motor and NiMH batteries. Of course the car features regenerative braking technology and an idling-stop system as well. The INSIGHT also employs a great deal of aluminium to keep the kerb weight down to 820kg, which is 40% lighter compared to a steel construction.
Sadly, the 1st-generation INSIGHT did not appeal to many buyers. The 2nd-generation was released in 2009, 10 years after the INSIGHT's debut. This new INSIGHT emerged completely reborn as a serious mass-production hybrid model based on the Honda Fit.
Acquisition[]
| Game | Purchase location | Credits | Other methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Turismo 4 | Honda New Car Dealership | 21,000 | --- |
| Gran Turismo PSP | Honda Dealership | 21,000 | --- |
| Gran Turismo 5 | Used Car Dealership (Lv. 0+) | 17,239 | --- |
| Gran Turismo 6 | Honda Dealership | 21,000 | --- |
Pictures[]
Trivia[]
- Despite being a hybrid-electric car, the car's hybrid functionality is disabled in GT4. This also affects the Honda DUALNOTE Concept '01/Acura DN-X Concept '02.