37Daily Record, November 20, 2009 www.roadrecord.co.uk
NNEEWWSS
motoring
T
HEHondaInsightisa
carforthemoment�
withUKsalessinceits
launchsixmonthsago
nudgingthebest12-month
figuresforitssmallerCivic
Hybridstablemate.
DevelopedfromtheCivic
Hybridtechnology,andcarrying
thenameofthesmallerInsight
coup�launchedin1999,thenew
medium-sizedHondahybridhas
becomeanunqualifiedsuccess.
ItsharedtheEcohonourswith
BMWatlastweek'sScottishCarof
theYearawards.
Despitebeingoneofthemost
desirableandeconomical-to-run
modernhatchbacks,deliveries
arevirtuallyimmediatesoyoucan
startsavingmoneyrightaway.
Itischeaptotax,runandinsure
andcompanycaruserswill
appreciateitslowbenefit-in-kind
ratingaswell.
ThenewHondaInsightrange
comprisesthreemodelspriced
from�15,990to�18,890.They
sharethesamefive-doorbody
andpowertrain,sothedifferences
aredowntothetrimlevels.
Thetestcarwasthetop-spec
ES-Tautomatic,whichuses
aContinuouslyVariable
Transmission(CVT)thatseems
particularlysuitedtotheadvanced
petrol-electricpowersource.
Theseeminglymodest1.3-
litreenginedeliversreasonable
accelerationwithanoticeable
punchcomingastheelectric
motorkicksintoboostoutput.
Drivenonalight"throttle",the
enginenoteisverylow,butitdoes
becomenoisierasrevsincrease.
Athighspeedit'sonaparwitha
conventionalpetrol-onlymodel.
Youareoftenunawarewhich
powersourceisworkingaway�
unlessyoucalluptheon-board
computergraphics,whicharea
usefulwayofmonitoringyour
poweruseandeconomy,aswell
asahostofotherthings.
Usedintelligently,the
computercanreallyhelpextend
youreconomyandgiveyoua
smallercarbonfootprint.With
morethan60mpgpossible,itis
averyeconomicalcar.
WiththeCVTwhirringaway
endlessly,youhavealmost
instantaccelerationfromrestor
onthemove.
IlikedtheInsight'sbrakesand
aroundtownthesteeringwas
good,butitgavelessfeedback
onopenroads.
Secondaryswitcheswereall
convenientlylaidoutaround
thewheelandcolumnbutyou
needtolearntheintricaciesof
thecomputertocorrectlysetthe
display.
Instrumentsarefairlylarge
andhavecleardisplay
settingsinfrontofthedriver.
Climatecontrolisstandardonthe
ES-T,asarepoweredwindowsall
round,butthereisnosunroof
option.
Theroomforoddsandendsis
goodthroughoutthecabin,while
thebootcapacityrisesfromabout
400litrestomorethan580when
youfolddowntherearseats.
Adeeprearsillmakesiteasyto
liftitemsintotheboot.
Accessforpassengersisgood,
thankstobigdooropenings.Once
inside,itisslightlysquashedfor
threeintheback,butthosein
fronthavealotofroom.
Ridequalityisgenerally
smooth,evenifyoucanhearthe
suspensionworkingaway.And
thelow-speedridecansometimes
beworsethangoingatspeedover
thesameroad.
Thehandlingissafeandsure-
footedandtheInsight'stendency
torunwideontightturnsis
quicklycorrected,sothereisno
dramaifyouliftoffmid-corner.
TheshapeoftheInsightis
generallygoodforvisibilitybut
youlosesomesightthroughthe
shallowbackwindowandhightail.
Overall,itisagood,modern
familycarwiththepromiseoflow
ownershipcosts.Fornow,ithas
fewrivals�andtimeisonthis
Honda'sside.
Factfile:
Model: HondaInsight
1.3IMAES-T
Engine: 1.3-litre petrol
withelectricmotor
Power: 87bhp
0-62mph: 12.5 seconds
Economy: 61.4mpg
Emissions: 105g/km
Warranty: Three
years/90,000 miles
Price: �18,890
On sale: Now
GET A CLEAR STEER:
The on-board computer can
help you drive more efficiently
APPRENTICES with
Scotland's biggest car
dealers have finished
their initial training.
And they are now out on
placements in Arnold Clark
dealerships across the UK.
The 120 Modern
Apprentices were taken on as
part of the 700 jobs that
Arnold Clark announced they
were creating earlier this year.
They had been based at the
�10million purpose-built GTG
Training in Glasgow.
Now working under the
guidance of the bodyshop
managers within Arnold Clark
branches, the apprentices will
have invaluable on-the-job
experience together with
continued expert advice and
training.
They will build upon their
existing knowledge gained at
GTG and hone their skills to
progress up the career ladder.
Boss Sir Arnold Clark said:
"Modern Apprenticeships are
an excellent stepping stone
into the workplace.
"I truly hope that all suitably
qualified school leavers will
be offered the opportunity to
train in the Modern
Apprentice scheme over the
coming months.
"In this tough economic
climate, development of
Scotland's skill base is
essential."
Vehicle(s) shown for illustrative purposes only. BT calls 5p per minute, other providers may vary. Calls may be recorded for quality or training purposes.
Offers subject to status, terms and conditions. All cars advertised are available at branches listed or from group stock.
arnoldclark.toyota.co.uk
ARNOLD CLARK
Aberdeen, Wellington Road.
Tel: 0844 499 8921
1 Voucher per car. Excludes fleet sales. Not in conjunction with any other offer. Voucher must be presented whilst still on the premises on the initial
day of order. Starts 30.10.09 - Ends 22.11.09. DRFN.
Receive an additional
�300 discount/cashback!
Negotiate your deal first
then present your voucher
choice of metallic colours
air conditioning, CD player
central locking, electric windows
PAS, steering mounted controls
59 Toyota Prius 1.5 LE 5 dr
SAVE
�3400
COST
NEW �18,395
ONLY �14,995

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