Honda Unveils Insight’s Eco Assist

Last week, Ford revealed a new energy-conscious instrument cluster — filled with interactive leaves — for the Fusion and Milan hybrids. Ford’s reasoning was that hybrid owners demand better communication in order to maximize fuel efficiency. Well, it appears Honda and Ford hired the same analysts, considering Honda has just revealed a very similar system.

Honda’s system, dubbed Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) will debut in the spring of 2009 on the all-new Honda Insight. The system uses a two-tier instrument cluster (similar to the Civic’s) to communicate effective driving habits. The speedometer’s background color changes depending on how you’re driving — green for light acceleration and cruising, blue for tough acceleration and braking.

The center knowledge screen (inside the tachometer) features an LED
knowledge screen that scores driving habits. The number of leaves on
the

display (sounds familiar) signifies your mastery by hypermiling.

The system plus features an "ECON" button that, when switched on,
optimizes the transmission, powertrain and regenerative braking to
optimize fuel consumption. It’s strange to us that Honda would offer
such a feature. Why not just program the vehicle to always run in that
mode?

Compared with Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide dual LCD screens and
reconfigurable software, Honda’s system is distinctly downscale, but
next again the Honda Insight will be the cheapest hybrid on the road,
according to the company.

We’ll have to wait and see whether Toyota chases suit with its own eco display. No doubt it and others will.