I drove our long-term 2010 Honda Insight last night, maybe for the second or third time.
But it was my first time to notice the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
Odd, I thought, because this thing has a CVT. So of course, there's little shift shock when you use them.
The display above the odo (not lit in the pic) indicates the "gear," which goes up to 7.
Just like an F1 car!
So perhaps Honda included the paddles to remind you that this is the Sporty Hybrid, not that boring thing from the Nagoya-based company.
You know, the company with a news update every 15 seconds.
Albert Austria, Senior Engineer @ 13,810 miles
vt8919 says:
04:44 PM, 02/25/10
Should've titled this, "Geared towards enthusiasts, or full of shift?"
lowmilelude says:
05:29 PM, 02/25/10
Toyowhat?
banhugh says:
06:00 PM, 02/25/10
hahahahha... full of shift. Very good vt8919!
joliveira says:
06:00 PM, 02/25/10
Rubish... isn't any sportier...
brn says:
06:58 PM, 02/25/10
With a firmware upgrade, they'll give you a nine speed transmission.
vt8919 says:
07:24 PM, 02/25/10
Speaking of which, I find it very funny Nissan uses the tagline "shift" but nearly all of their vehicles have CVTs.
mikeolan says:
11:32 PM, 02/25/10
@Vt8919 well technically the transmission is constantly shifting so I guess it makes sense...
Speaking of which, the 'shift points' are actually useful (think of it more as 'go to set ratio' ) in CVT-equipped cars. It lets you downshift to use engine braking and let the engine quickly build revs for tight situations such as highway passing.
The funny thing is I find myself using the manual mode on CVT's more than on automatics or even DSG's - it tends to be more flexible and forgiving.
gmanaed says:
07:34 AM, 02/26/10
I had a Suzuki Burgman scooter that had electronic "shifting" on its CVT. You could leave it in automatic mode or switch it to a "manual" mode and shift to pre-determined points in the CVT ratios. Although there was no actual shifting involved, it did make the riding seem sportier. It also gave you the ability to hold the CVT at a particular point (or gear) on the CVT ratio that made for increased engine braking and improved acceleration. I would assume the Honda system is similar.
mheikka says:
11:21 AM, 02/26/10
Too bad using the paddle shifters on the Insight doesn't do anything measurable. Or useful. All they do is make the interior more noisy.
I think I've used mine twice. The second use was accidental.
You'll get more results (and less noise) by toggling the ECON button off.
cr_driver says:
10:18 AM, 02/27/10
Let it be bro. Oh well.