100 MPG Honda Insight Mod

prius04 · 10-10-2005, 09:11 PM

I found this on EV World. It's a paid site so you can't get much data but the gist of the story is that a guy named Mike Dabrowski took a Honda Insight and modified it with a switch that forces the Insight into doing some of the things the Prius does naturally. The resulting car gets nearly 100 MPG in a standard commute.

Here's the site, but you can't get much info without joining, for a fee. It's a worthy electric vehicle site, so you might consider joining. I did awhile ago.

http://www.evworld.com/index.cfm

According to Dabrowski, Honda rushed the insight to market in order to beat Toyota by being first, and because of that rush, the Insight is not as economical as it could have been. His tweak makes it much more economical. And he is making plans for others to make the tweak, and he estimates parts to be less than $500.

**efusco** · 10-10-2005, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by prius04@Oct 10 2005, 07:11 PM
I found this on EV World. It's a paid site so you can't get much data but the gist of the story is that a guy named Mike Dabrowski took a Honda Insight and modified it with a switch that forces the Insight into doing some of the things the Prius does naturally. The resulting car gets nearly 100 MPG in a standard commute.

Here's the site, but you can't get much info without joining, for a fee. It's a worthy electric vehicle site, so you might consider joining. I did awhile ago.

http://www.evworld.com/index.cfm

According to Dabrowski, Honda rushed the insight to market in order to beat Toyota by being first, and because of that rush, the Insight is not as economical as it could have been. His tweak makes it much more economical. And he is making plans for others to make the tweak, and he estimates parts to be less than $500.

[snapback]139261[/snapback]

Rushed it to market what...6 years ago...You'd think they could'a upgraded it in that time if they felt it would help sales and mileage and such.

LaughingMan · 10-10-2005, 09:23 PM

I don't think the demand for the Insight was high enough to warrant much more development.

Insight was always more of a "proof of concept" for the Civic and the Accord. The 06 Civic and the new Accord Hybrid both have technology that the Insight lacks now.

**efusco** · 10-10-2005, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaughingMan@Oct 10 2005, 07:23 PM
I don't think the demand for the Insight was high enough to warrant much more development.

Insight was always more of a "proof of concept" for the Civic and the Accord. The 06 Civic and the new Accord Hybrid both have technology that the Insight lacks now.

[snapback]139265[/snapback]

Maybe, but if someone can install a simple button aftermarket you'd think the 'market' would expand pretty dramatically if folks could expect 100mpg. But then I'm not a marketer or a developer.

rogerSC · 10-10-2005, 11:30 PM

You'd think they'd have to add battery capacity, maybe make it possible to plug it in for charging, to get that kind of mileage improvement. Or maybe pushing the button jetisons the body, which probably lightens things up a bit.

Hmmmm...

-Roger

DaveinOlyWA · 10-10-2005, 11:50 PM

considering its size and weight, it should get 100 mpg... but i have to believe that i simply dont believe the claims. the insight has been around for as many years as the Prius has. it has never really been updated to my knowledge. i think honda gave up on the vehicle before it even got started.

with the increase in the cost of gas, why wouldnt honda institute this "simple" mode to get the additional performance? or is this one guy smart enough to figure out something a team of honda engineers could not?

vincent1449p · 10-10-2005, 11:55 PM

It is called MIMA (Manual Integrated Motor Assist) and it can also be found here. (Sorry, I'm not discouraging people from joining EV World).

No, it is not just a simple button or a switch but rather it consists of a few controller boards and some cable harnesses.

As usual, the site sells the benefits of MIMA but no mentioning of how it will affect safety, emission or the battery life.

Vincent

**Tideland Prius** · 10-11-2005, 12:09 AM

Well, I think the Insight is on the other scale of what the NSX is. It's a full body aluminium car. One is balanced for superb cornering, the other is styled for superb aerodynamics.

we6a · 10-11-2005, 07:21 AM

Anyone know who I can call to get the 100,000 mile warranty for $985?

aridon99 · 10-11-2005, 12:00 PM

Could someone just post the article here?

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10-10-2005, 09:11 PM	#1
prius04 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NorthEast USA Posts: 1,155 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I found this on EV World. It's a paid site so you can't get much data but the gist of the story is that a guy named Mike Dabrowski took a Honda Insight and modified it with a switch that forces the Insight into doing some of the things the Prius does naturally. The resulting car gets nearly 100 MPG in a standard commute. Here's the site, but you can't get much info without joining, for a fee. It's a worthy electric vehicle site, so you might consider joining. I did awhile ago. http://www.evworld.com/index.cfm According to Dabrowski, Honda rushed the insight to market in order to beat Toyota by being first, and because of that rush, the Insight is not as economical as it could have been. His tweak makes it much more economical. And he is making plans for others to make the tweak, and he estimates parts to be less than $500.

10-10-2005, 09:23 PM	#3
LaughingMan Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marlborough, MA Posts: 1,386 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I don't think the demand for the Insight was high enough to warrant much more development. Insight was always more of a "proof of concept" for the Civic and the Accord. The 06 Civic and the new Accord Hybrid both have technology that the Insight lacks now.

10-10-2005, 11:30 PM	#5
rogerSC Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 156 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You'd think they'd have to add battery capacity, maybe make it possible to plug it in for charging, to get that kind of mileage improvement. Or maybe pushing the button jetisons the body, which probably lightens things up a bit. Hmmmm... -Roger

10-10-2005, 11:50 PM	#6
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,254 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	considering its size and weight, it should get 100 mpg... but i have to believe that i simply dont believe the claims. the insight has been around for as many years as the Prius has. it has never really been updated to my knowledge. i think honda gave up on the vehicle before it even got started. with the increase in the cost of gas, why wouldnt honda institute this "simple" mode to get the additional performance? or is this one guy smart enough to figure out something a team of honda engineers could not?

10-10-2005, 11:55 PM	#7
vincent1449p Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 195 My Car: 2003 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It is called MIMA (Manual Integrated Motor Assist) and it can also be found here. (Sorry, I'm not discouraging people from joining EV World). No, it is not just a simple button or a switch but rather it consists of a few controller boards and some cable harnesses. As usual, the site sells the benefits of MIMA but no mentioning of how it will affect safety, emission or the battery life. Vincent

10-11-2005, 12:09 AM	#8
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,397 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Well, I think the Insight is on the other scale of what the NSX is. It's a full body aluminium car. One is balanced for superb cornering, the other is styled for superb aerodynamics.

10-11-2005, 07:21 AM	#9
we6a Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Anyone know who I can call to get the 100,000 mile warranty for $985?

10-11-2005, 12:00 PM	#10
aridon99 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 55 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Could someone just post the article here?