An Insight Into The Future

[CivicCteve]

Cast your eyes upon the all-new 2012 Honda Insight. Ok, it looks almost the same but there are some very important changes making this Frankfurt Motor Show release something to get excited about - providing you like eco-driving and being very friendly to the environment.

In principle it is the same 5-door hatchback as the outgoing model. It produces 96g/km some 5 fewer than the current model, and although no official figures have yet been released, the MPG figure is expected to rise above the 64.2 we've been getting used to.

A number of methods have been employed in order to produce these squirrel friendly results. The CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) has been modified, and so have both the air conditioning systems and the engine - which is now said to run with lower internal friction.

As with all cars pushing fewer than 100g/km, the Insight is exempt from the London Congestion Charge, however if you are extra conscious you may want to choose 15-inch alloys when buying one, as with 16-inch wheels it the Honda will emit 100g/km, which is exactly on the borderline of exempt.

Cosmetically there are few alterations. The front lights have been tweaked slightly and probably most noticeably, the front grille has adopted the new Honda family face.

Rectifying one of the flaws that hounded both the current Civic and Insight, the 2012 model also has a revised rear wing and a shrunken rear wiper motor to allow greater rear-view visibility.

Inside, the fabric has been swapped and a new black imitation wood has been used to give the car an added air of quality. Happily rear headroom too has been improved, now 10mm taller thanks to a re-molding and angling of the seats.

Though being 'green' and environmentally loveable is a trait many seek to manifest in themselves, enjoying the fact that the Insight is manufactured in a site where "zero production waste ends up in landfill"; it is yet to be seen whether they will appreciate the Eco Assist feature - a "coaching feature" telling the driver how to drive - will be a huge success

Originally written by @SkylerShah