Honda Insight handover
22 May 2002
Honda Australia Director Lindsay Smalley presents the Insight to the institute Director John Parish.
A Honda Insight has been purchased by Kangan Batman TAFE for use as a teaching aid in automotive courses.
The Insight will be used in apprenticeship classes and short courses to demonstrate the revolutionary technology behind the InsightÂ's ultra-low fuel efficiency. It will also form part of the institute fleet.
The Insight was presented to the institute Director John Parish by Honda Australia Director Lindsay Smalley on Wednesday 22 May at Kangan Batman TAFEÂ's Coburg campus.
The Insight is the result of years of development in areas of fuel economy, low emissions and aerodynamic body design and uses a hybrid petrol/electric powertrain to achieve a world-best 2.8 litres per 100km highway cycle and 3.6 litres per 100km city cycle.
According to Kangan Batman TAFE Director John Parish “purchasing the Insight gives our students the opportunity to closely examine the InsightÂ's hybrid engine technology and would be an invaluable learning experience for automotive students.”
“The Insight will also be monitored for its fuel usage because Kangan Batman is at the forefront of environmental techology.”
At the heart of the InsightÂ's fuel efficiency is HondaÂ's Integrated Motor Assist or IMA system.
The IMA system combines a highly efficient 1.0-litre 3-cylinder lean-burn VTEC ULEV engine and ultra-thin electric motor to produce 56KW o power. The compact 1.0-litre engine utilises low friction technologies and lightweight materials, including aluminium, magnesium and plastic.
The Insight was the first hybrid petrol-electric vehicle to be sold in Australia following its official unveiling at the Melbourne Motor Show in March 2001. As part of the launch activities, adventurer Hans Tholstrup drove an Insight from Brisbane to Melbourne on less than 40 litres of fuel, covering the 1700km journey in four days.
Honda and a team of engineers and students from Kangan Batman TAFE also teamed up last year to build the HR-Sea, a Honda HR-V converted to an aquarium holding Barramundi and north Australian Saratoga fish. The HR-Sea-dubbed A Fish called Honda – was displayed at the 2001 Melbourne Motor Show before moving to its permanent home at the Melbourne Aquarium.
