The 2000 HONDA INSIGHT- The idea of an alternative fuel vehicle has been around since the first automobile. Many designs have come and gone, all with relatively poor performance and inconvenient ranges. Automakers have long fought over the "latest answer" and "next big thing," but few have ever produced more than hype. With the Saturn EV1 having relatively miniscule success, a new car had to be produced to calm the Washington environmentalists and help this earth last a little bit longer. Enter the 2000 Honda Insight, the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle on sale in America (the Saturn was pure electric, and available only for lease), is the real deal. This snappy front-drive two-seat coupe delivers 70 mpg and ultra-low emissions with easy driveability and desirable comfort-at a base price of $18,880. Indeed, the only option is an automatic climate-control system, bringing the typical as-purchased price to $20,080.

Honda's wonderful ergonomics have found their way into the Insight as well. What Honda calls a "personal fit capsule," the Insight's sporting cabin comes equipped with the usual goodies.

What makes the Insight a true breakthrough is its groundbreaking design. It starts with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. At its core is an ultralight 1.0-liter three-cylinder VTEC-E gasoline engine that uses lean-burn technology, low-friction design, and lots of lightweight aluminum, magnesium, and plastic. The 12-valve 67-horse engine gets up to an extra 13.4 horsepower-and 25 more pound-feet of torque-from a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack that drives an ultrathin (about 2.5 inches) DC-brushless motor. This unique unit acts as a (re)generator during braking and any deceleration to recharge the vehicles batteries; translation: no need for an outside charge. A Power Control Unit keeps it all working together.

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This car is no pocket rocket. But that's the beauty of it. Teamed with a five-speed manual transmission (the only one offered), the power plant hustled the Insight 0-60 mph in 10.5 seconds. In the real world, it proved quite sufficient to get through traffic on all kinds of roads and freeways. With the extensive expertise Honda acquired with the all-aluminum design of the Acura NSX, they created a rigid, lightweight aluminum body that is 40 percent lighter than a comparable steel unit, yet meets all the modern-world safety standards. An aluminum chassis and body panels with front fenders and rear skirts of recyclable plastic, brings the whole package in at a featherweight 1887 pounds.

Combined with an aerodynamic design that yields a remarkable 0.25 Cd, the Insight earned the EPA's highest mileage rating ever, with 61 mpg in the city and 70 mpg on the highway, And the first-ever "Excellence in Environmental Engineering Award" from the Sierra Club. According to the onboard fuel-economy monitor, average daily should yield around 55 mpg, driving it without holding back the revs through traffic and over hill and dale. With a little "thrifty" driving, the 10.6-gallon gas tank should easily deliver the promised range of 600 to 700 miles.

Honda's wonderful ergonomics have found their way into the Insight as well , What Honda calls a "personal fit capsule," the Insight's sporting cabin comes equipped with the usual goodies, combing more-than-adequate comfort, convenience, and safety features. The electronic digital-analog instrument panel, which takes a little getting used to, divides information into three sections: gasoline functions on the left, electric on the right, and speedometer in the middle.

The Insight's front MacPherson strut/rear twist-beam suspension, combined with variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering, and a 60/40-percent weight distribution offer handling and steering response similar of the old and graceful CRX. But the 165/65SR14 low-rolling-resistance tires are aimed more of a better fuel economy than sticky road holding, and you'll have to compensate to somewhat broad throttle response and shift points that come much quicker than in a 1.6-liter.

The IMA system also includes an almost imperceptible idle-stop feature that kills the engine and leaves you sitting in traffic like a little green palm, using zero gas and emitting zero pollutants. That should make even the hardest tree-hugger smile while he sits next to you in traffic. The lack of an automatic tranny will cause a dip in sales, however if there was a auto in this pup, the lack of performance would cause a dip in sales as well. So it works out for the best. The only problem is it's miniscule engine note, so you won't be able to hide the fact that this is a three-cylinder. Not rough by any definition, but it's out-of-phase firing order is no secret.

With practicality the major factor here: this car is a winner. It has the performance, driveability, and ease of use that have forced other alternative-fuel automobiles back into their nest. Honda shouldn't have any trouble selling out the 4000 Insight's due for America this year. Though it'll shine as the king of LEV's (low-emission vehicle) for a while, expect some competition when Toyota debuts its hybrid-electric late 2000, early 2001, the four-door, five passenger Echo based Prius. AZ/AutoNetDirect.com

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