2012 Honda Insight Updated With Improved Fuel Economy

Honda may be a little low key for this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, but the Japanese automaker has announced a refreshed version of its Insight hybrid will make its debut. For the newly updated model Honda has fine-tuned the aerodynamics of the car, reduced engine friction, made improvements to the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) and incorporated a better air conditioning system.

All of these changes are combined for better fuel mileage, with Honda claiming that the 2012 Honda Insight will produce 96 g/km of CO2 or about 57-mpg in the European cycle. Typically speaking, the European cycle yields around 10- to 20-percent higher than the U.S. cycle, so don’t look for numbers quite that impressive when it comes here. Currently the Insight is rated at 40/43-mpg.

Regardless, we hope the exterior improvements do make their way here, with a more aggressive front end and a slimmed tail spoiler. In addition, tweaks have been made to the engine and the suspension for overall improvement to the ride quality and stability. Lastly, Honda claims the interior has been enhanced for “a superior quality.”

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