TV personality to drive one of Honda’s extra entries
Honda have increased their commitment to the EnergyWise Rally with the entry of three more cars, taking the total Honda
entry to eight. One of the extra cars, an Insight petrol-electric hybrid, will be driven for the second half of the
event by TV3 sports presenter Shaun Summerfield.
The Insight will run in a special class for vehicles which are not yet commercially available in New Zealand, and it is
expected to produce an impressively low fuel consumption figure. The two-seat Insight was the first of Honda’s hybrid
models to be made available in major world markets – the second was the Civic Hybrid, which is also running in the
event.
Also added to Honda’s list of entries is a Jazz equipped with the optional CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
automatic. This new-generation automatic transmission is claimed to be as efficient as a manual gearbox, and the two
drivers from Honda’s service division will be having their own internal battle to see which of the two Jazz’s can use
the least fuel over the 1500 kilometre route.
Honda have also entered a 3.0 litre Odyssey people-mover, to be driven by Sean Willmot, editor of Motor Equipment News
and assistant editor of Company Vehicle Magazine.