ORRINGTON – Hope Brogunier paid $20,000 for an electric-gas hybrid car, touted in a pamphlet as the vehicle for the 21st century, then watched, startled, as its engine quit running after idling briefly at a red light.

The Bangor woman sat in silence for a quick moment, wondering what to do next, then realized the 2000 Honda Insight was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.

The first gas-electric vehicle to be sold in this country, the Insight has been designed for the environment and the driver alike, according to its brochure. The idle-stop mechanism that surprised Brogunier actually saves fuel and reduces emissions. The car has a manual transmission and restarts quickly from its idle-stop moment by pushing in on its clutch and shifting from neutral into first gear.

A musician with an interest in the environment, Brogunier has the first Honda Insight in Bangor, probably the first one in the county. Reportedly, another driver has one in Ellsworth.

Brogunier bought the vehicle last October from a local dealership and is so pleased with it she put it on display Sunday at the Fields Pond Nature Center in Orrington. The car drew about a dozen people to the nature center. One couple from Mount Desert Island stayed for the entire two-hour demonstration. The wife won a drawing and got a ride in the vehicle.

“It’s like backpacking on wheels,” said Pat Hatton.

Asked if she and her husband might consider such a car, Hatton said she would “buy the most efficient car” she could.

The car gets 63 miles per gallon in the city and more than 70 miles per gallon on the open highway.

Brogunier drove it to Pennsylvania last fall on one tank of gas, typical of the company claim that it will run 600 to 700 miles on a full 10.6-gallon tank before more gasoline is needed.

The car’s main power is a one-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine that is backed by a tiny 2-inch electric motor. The electric motor gets its power from a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Electricity for the vehicle is generated by a regenerative braking process. That is, when the car’s brakes are applied, it generates a type of friction that recharges the batteries that provide the electricity.

The car can accelerate to normal and fast speeds, similar to more commonly known vehicles, but requires 30 percent less power to do so because of its light body and aerodynamic design.

The Insight has a three-year warranty and its batteries have a six-year warranty. Other features include an aluminum exterior and lightweight body, and frame construction.

It has performed well on crash tests, has air bags, seat belts and other safety features.

Brogunier, married and the mother of four grown children, said the other cars in her life have been purchased as used vehicles. Her last car had 148,000 miles on it and was rusting badly.

After reading about the Honda Insight in a magazine, Brogunier, normally a cautious woman, bought the new vehicle sight unseen. She doesn’t regret the action.

She saves money on gasoline every day, is comfortable driving in the specially designed interior and is happy the car is easy on the environment.

Brogunier enjoys talking about her motorized discovery.

“I think everyone should have one,” Brogunier said.