Honda EP-X, the super efficient coupe with 42 km/l

Do you remember the Honda Insight? The original sedan with faired rear wheels has long been a rival of the Toyota Prius, as well as one of the very first and very few models – like the Prius – to feature a full hybrid engine.

Like Toyota, Insight was a pioneer of this technology and was also sold in Italy between 2009 and 2013 with the second generation.

But how did the idea for Insight come about? From this very strange one concept.

A featherweight

Presented at the 29th Tokyo Motor Show in 1991, the Honda EP-X it is described by the company as a “design studio to represent respect for the environment”. The name stands for “Efficient Personal eXperimental” and many of its features would be employed on the first-generation 2000-06 Honda Insight a decade later.

The two-seater is characterized by a monocoque aluminum body, which makes it extremely light. In fact, the Honda only weighs 620 kgdespite being 3.70 meters long, as long as a modern Fiat Panda. What is surprising, however, is the width and height, respectively only 1.50 m and 1.24 m.

Maximum efficiency

But how does the EP-X host two people in such a small space? Through a tandem configuration, with the passenger sitting behind the driver. There are two doors like all coupés, while the rear part of the glass roof can be opened to facilitate access to the boot (or to be used as an “emergency exit”).

The dashboard has a simple design, with a liquid crystal display, a technological first of the time.

Honda Insight

Under the bonnet there is a 1.0 three-cylinder VTEC-E equipped with the variable valve timing system “calibrated” to aim for maximum fuel economy. With a power of 70 CVthis Honda can allow consumption of approx 42 km/la truly record value.

In short, there are so many innovations on this Honda. In fact, it is a laboratory on wheels, with various concepts that found their way onto the models of subsequent years.

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