More mileage seems to be the common demand of today’s automotive market.  What with automakers trying to outdo each other with the latest hybrid models while motorists make sure they drive ecologically and fill their tires with the right amount of air. Honda’s latest offering, the Insight is clearly trying to marry both approaches into one neat package, and doing so with style.

Armed with the new Ecological Drive Assist System (or Eco-Assist as Honda likes to call it) at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the gas hybrid Insight provides some virtual assistance to drivers on the stretching those miles beyond gas-saving driving techniques.

The interface at first look, is gorgeous.  But the real magic happens when the driver presses the green ECON button.  Once activated, the system electronically adjusts transmission, engine and the powertrain to configurations that optimize the consumption of fuel.  Even the A/C and brakes get a few enhancements on ECON mode.  Another neat feature is the live feedback provided by ECON mode.  After all, a computer can never really replace a driver’s brain, so it also provides real-time information on how the car is performing mileage-wise, allowing the driver to fit their driving style to fully maximize fuel consumption.

The Eco-Assist equipped  Honda Insight  scheduled for a mid to late first quarter release in 2009.  No news on what other models will be carrying the system, but it’s pretty safe to say that the other players will be looking at how it actually performs in real driving conditions.

[Source: Honda via World of Car Fans]