Honda insight takes top prize in 2010 AA Energywise Rally
Friday 15 October 2010, 2:00PM
By Honda
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It’s official, the new hatch from Honda – the Honda Insight - is New Zealand’s most cost-effective car to run.
Winner of the Supreme Award in the 2010 AA ENERGYWISE Rally, the latest addition to the market from Honda proves hybrid technology and hatchback value really can co-exist.
With a total fuel cost of just $147.83 to cover the Rally’s 1,763 kilometre route the Honda Insight S was a joy to drive for Rally team Ronnie Cheung and Erin Kelly. Both employees at Honda, they were keen to see if the Insight would live up to its reputation.
“We already knew the Insight promised to return an impressive 40% fuel saving, but we were both even more impressed with how well it handled and how pleasurable it is to drive,” says Award winning co-driver Erin Kelly.
Winner of both the Compact Class Award and the overall Supreme Award, the Insight features cavernous interior space, exceptional driving dynamics and sophistication along with outstanding fuel efficiency using hybrid technology. Priced affordably from just $35,600, it’s the perfect fit for the Kiwi lifestyle.
Graeme Meyer, Honda New Zealand’s Head of Marketing is thrilled with the Rally win, “Honda has been continuously working to develop affordable vehicles for everyday use that deliver high performance hand in hand with good economy – without compromise.
“The Insight is proof that you can now buy a hatch that’s affordable at a normal car price and save on fuel costs too. Costing 40% less to run compared to the average hatch.”
Helping the driver, with Eco Assist the Insight’s main dashboard offers a myriad of information for optimal economical driving techniques including a graphic of leaves growing on trees to chart the progress of fuel savings over time. Honda Insight drivers are given the power to decide how they want to drive.
The AA ENERGYWISE Rally is a race with a difference, with 49 vehicles covering 1,763 kilometres in four days, competing for the title of the most cost effective car, and the most fuel efficient driving team. Honda entered 17 vehicles in the Rally - more cars than any other manufacturer - in an effort to benchmark their entire fleet transparently for consumers.
The Honda Jazz 1.3 proudly won the Award for the Small Class in the Rally, adding further to Honda’s celebrations at the Awards.
The Rally takes place every two years and is jointly organised by the AA, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), and Gull Petroleum New Zealand.
Find out more information about the Honda Insight by calling 0800 255 666, visiting http://www.honda.co.nz/new-cars/insight/intro/ or heading to your local Honda agent for a test drive today. The winning car is on display at Honda Newmarket – with Award winning co-driver Erin Kelly on hand to share his best energy-saving driving tips.
For more information on the AA ENERGYWISE Rally visit the website: www.aaenergywiserally.org.nz