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Honda is to put a "scoreboard" display in its Insight hybrid car's dashboard that will show drivers how fuel efficient they are being as they drive.

The carmaker is claiming a world first with a system that integrates the engine, the transmission and other powertrain components with a feedback device that gives the driver information on current and overall driving performance.

The system is in three parts:

• A control system for the constantly variable transmission and the engine called Econ Mode that supports more fuel-efficient driving

• A background display to the speedometer that tells the driver through a colour change whether the vehicle is being driven in an optimum fuel efficient manner or not./ The device changes from a green to a blue background the less efficiently the car is driven.

• A "scoring" display in the centre of the instrument panel that uses graphics of tree leaves to "mark" a driver's long-term fuel efficient performance.

The system keeps information for the previous three journeys to hand, as well as giving an instantaneous and a lifetime performance rating.

The Insight is due to be launched in spring 2009.