Conventional Water Pump

Published November 6, 2006

The Insight uses a conventional belt-driven water pump and a thermostat to control temperature and flow. I suspect there will be electric waterpumps controlled by temperature sensors on future hybrids, which would eliminate the need for a drive belt, thermostat, front crank pully, and front crank seal (assuming the AC compressor is electric as well, which it is on the 2004-2005 Prius).