What little driving I have done in the car has mostly been with the hybrid bits disabled - meaning max power of 67 hp from the 995cc 3-cyl (when it was new
), in a slightly (~50 lbs) heavier car than my 3-cyl Firefly.
Given the modest oomph available, I've been pleasantly surprised at how tall the Insight's gearing is!
I'm already used to taller than normal gearing, having swapped the original final drive (4.39) in the 993cc Firefly for the tallest one available from the 4-cylinder 1.3L Suzuki Swift version of the car. (see
Project 'nerd gear': taller tranny transplant nets +5.2% MPG - MetroMPG.com )
Compare the Swift/Firefly transmission ...
3.523 (f.d.) & 0.757 (5th)
... to the Insight transmission ...
3.208 (f.d.) & 0.710 (5th)
So both the final and top gears are taller in the Insight than the Firefly. And it's entirely manageable. It's made me wish for even taller gearing in the Flea!
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Other than picking up a set of gently used Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tires that will fit the Honda (165/70 14's), no other news to report. Next week I may get around to scheduling an inspection.