Two-Motor Hybrid System

What’s the Benefit?

The Insight’s powertrain assembles an array of advanced technologies to create highly responsive performance along with outstanding fuel efficiency.

The Feature:

Along with its 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine, the Insight has a powerful drive motor as well as a motor/generator and a lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery pack.

• This hybrid system uses the gasoline engine for three distinct purposes:
  • To power the generator to supply electricity for the drive motor.
  • To flow directly to the front wheels to move the car.
  • To charge the battery pack.
• The drive motor produces maximum torque starting at 0 rpm, providing quick starts and energetic response in city driving.
• The motor/generator only acts as a motor to start the engine; it becomes a powerful generator the rest of the time.
• The battery can be recharged in two different ways.
  
  • One is when the engine is running and spins the generator to recharge the battery.
  • Another is when regenerative braking uses the generator to convert the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electricity