Since its launch in 1973, the Honda Civic has been one of the most popular compact cars sold in America. Its success can be attributed to its consistently high level of fit and finish and an impressive reputation for reliability and low running costs. High fuel economy, environmental awareness and engaging performance have also played a large role in making the Honda Civic a top choice for many Buyers.
Engine & Performane The Civic Hybrid is powered primarily by a four-cylinder petrol engine. An electric motor/generator provides supplemental power. In turn, it runs off a battery pack that recharges itself by capturing energy that is dissipated while coasting and braking. The Civic Hybrid has a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that uses belts and pulleys instead of traditional gears. The CVT approaches the efficiency and performance of a five-speed manual transmission. The engine shuts down completely when the vehicle stops. This is because an idling engine gets zero mpg and creates some of the highest levels of exhaust emissions.
The IMA system provides seamless acceleration on par with the standard Civic’s larger 1800cc engine. But a new accelerator design requires drivers to put the pedal all the way to the floor to get the vehicle quickly up to speed. The Honda hybrid technology Integrated Motor Assist IMA system consists of a super-efficient 1.3-liter, 8-valve, i-VTEC 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with a lightweight, high-output electric motor, which adds extra power when needed. The Civic Hybrid is equipped with an uncannily smooth continuously variable transmission (CVT), which blends the ease of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual. An idle-stop feature automatically shuts off the Hybrid's gasoline engine when you stop, so you save gas and help keep the air cleaner.
Design & Features
The Civic Hybrid looks almost identical to the conventional sedan. Its cab-forward design pushes the passenger compartment as far to the front of the vehicle as possible. The design features bold front-end styling with a steeply raked windshield and sweeping roofline. Inside, a two-tiered instrument panel employs a digital speedometer, fuel gauge, and IMA readout at the top of the dashboard, right in the driver’s line of sight. The tachometer, which displays engine speed, and other gauges are housed in a lower tier behind the tilting and telescoping steering wheel. The interior includes exclusive two-tone seating. Compared to the conventional sedan, trunk space is slightly compromised to accommodate the hybrid system’s battery pack. The batteries also preclude the split-folding rear seat found on other Civics.
Safety
The Civic Hybrid has essential safety features such as side curtain airbags and dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags (SRS). The Advanced Compatibility Engineering(ACE) body structure spreads out the crash energy in impacts with vehicles of differing sizes. All four doors feature side-impact beams designed to help prevent intrusion into the passenger space. And you'll appreciate other important safety features such as front 3-point seat belts with automatic tensioning system for all seats, and an anti-lock braking system (ABS).
The Honda Civic Hybrid has the distinction of being India’s First Hybrid car. In line with Honda's long-term commitment to the development of advanced and environmentally-friendly technologies that do not compromise on driving pleasure, the Civic Hybrid offers a rare combination of being environmentally friendly, fuel efficient and also having a high fun-to-drive quotient.
Here are few tv commercials of Honda Civic Hybrid....