Honda Insight
Buying a Honda Insight green car is the nearest most people will get to driving a concept car.
The Honda Insight green car and the Toyota Prius were the world's first two hybrid cars to go into production.
Pairing a petrol engine and an electric motor does wonders for fuel bills and helps to protect the environment by lowering noxious exhaust emissions.
All credit to Honda for shaping Honda Insight green car as a coupe, and for being at the forefront of rethinking power for personal transport. It is, though, for those committed to the cause.
Honda believes Honda Insight green car buyers will be 'light green', people who care about the Earth and are prepared to make sacrifices.
The Honda Insight green car costs pounds 17,000 - there is only one version - and is strictly a two-seater. It is a coupe without true sporting performance, although it cruises sweetly and the handling is neat.
For less money, you can buy the excellent and spacious new Ford Mondeo, with a high degree of refinement.
But the Honda Insight green car starts to command respect when you realise there is a mere 995cc beneath the bonnet.
This gives you 0-62mph in 12 seconds and a maximum of 112mph, with a little help from its friend in the rear.
A 120-cell battery pack produces power for the front wheels as well, and this helps the Honda Insight green car produce extraordinary economy figures - up to 83.1 miles to the gallon overall, according to Honda.
To get the most out of Honda Insight green car, you have to rethink your driving technique. Every instinct tells you to change down from fifth as you make laborious progress up a motorway incline.
But engaging fourth illuminates the 'up' arrow in the instrument panel to advise against wasting fuel that way. Use third, and it's fairly brisk.
The little petrol engine has three cylinders, laid out in a line to produce the characteristic growly sound.
Electric assistance during acceleration makes the engine as effective as a 1.5, says Honda, and during deceleration the battery is charged. Honda Insight green car won't run on battery power alone.
At first, it is easy to become obsessed with readings on bar-chart dials which show whether the battery cells are being recharged or assisting the petrol engine.
Fuel economy is aided by an aerodynamic and lightweight aluminium body. Filled-in rear wheel arches and a narrow axle at the back give it an unusual look, which some find attractive.
The Honda Insight green car specification includes anti-lock brakes, electric power steering, radio/stereo, power windows and mirrors and air conditioning.
Fact File
Honda Insight green car
pounds 17,000
Performance/economy: top speed 112mph, 0-62mph in 12 seconds (Honda data)
Official fuel figures (laboratory simulation): city 68.9mpg, country 94.2mpg, combined 83.1mpg. Fuel tank 8.8 gallons
Insurance: group 12. Warranty: three years/60,000 miles
Birmingham Post
January 26, 2001