I learned about this today so now you all do too
The Honda Insight is a car all the way back as far as 1999. This crazy vehicle was able to achieve an EPA MPG (with modern tests) of 49 city and 61 highway. Original testing was actually 67 city and 71 highway, at that! This crazy little engine has a maximum of 78 horsepower, combined between the Inline 3 SOHC Honda engine and a 10KW (13HP) electric motor. This motor is used as the starter, the alternator, and a motor together, but it actually has a separate starter motor in case the hybrid motor dies, using a separate 12v starter battery as well.
While 78 horsepower doesn’t sound very great, keep in mind the following: the coefficient of drag is 0.25, and if weighs a maximum(!) of 1,964 lbs, or 891 kg. What does this mean? It can still reach a maximum speed of up to 112mph! Not to mention, modders that get ahold of these things can push it far beyond these limits, with someone putting in a Honda J32A2 engine and getting 295HP in this little thing! That would put it at approximately capable of a top speed of about 192mph!
Not to mention, not only is this thing super light and nimble, it still has respectable crash ratings, and while parts for it may be hard to find, this car is one of the coolest and most efficient one can buy, even today
Edit: Found a link I like even better for the main link, original link here
I honestly think that if they left the back end the same as the other Civics it would have sold like hotcakes. That back end was total ass.
Yes, it was so noticable and weird. I’ve never wanted a “look at me” kind of car. I remember one of the teachers at my highschool drove one and people made fun of it regularly.
And that teacher laughed allllll the way to the gas station, like twice, per month
That’s a fair point. On the flip side, it reduced aerodynamic drag significantly compared to a civic, so I understand why they did it. Personally, the reason I even noticed it was because I am in love with the design, the rear especially catching my eye