Overall Evaluation of the Honda Civic Hybrid

The Honda Civic model was first introduced to the world market in 1973. The Civic Hybrid comes blessed by a 4-cylinder petrol engine along with an electric motor/generator that provides supplemental power. The car carries a battery system that recharges itself through regenerative braking technology. The Civic Hybrid

carries a continuously variable transmission (CVT) system that functions on pulleys and belts instead of traditional gears. The performance of this CVT system is compatible to the performance of a traditional five-speed manual transmission.

The Civic Hybrid was launched in the Indian market in July 2008 with a price tag of Rs 21.5 lakh (Delhi Ex-showroom). However, considering the uncompetitive price tag of the car, the company had reduced its price by about Rs 8 lakh to mere 13.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), just after 3 months of its launch in the Indian market. At present, the car has been discontinued in the Indian market.

                                                                                                                  

Engine & Performance of the Honda Civic Hybrid

The Honda Civic Hybrid model comes blessed with a 1339cc, SOHC iVTEC, Hybrid system that is capable of delivering a peak power of 95 Bhp at 6000 rpm along with a peak torque of 121.5 Nm at 4600 rpm. The car is powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine along with an electric motor/generator that provides supplemental power.

In addition to this, the system hosts a battery pack that recharges itself with the energy dissipated during coasting and braking. The Honda Civic Hybrid functions on a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is compatible to a five-speed manual transmission. The Civic Hybrid's engine shuts down completely as

soon as the car stops. The IMA system of Honda Civic Hybrid offers superior acceleration, much better than the acceleration of standard Civic’s 1800cc engine.

The Civic Hybrid also come integrated with Motor Assist IMA system that incorporates a highly fuel efficient 1.3L, 8-valve, i-VTEC 4-cylinder petrol engine mated with a high-output electric motor. The lightweight electric motor provides extra power when needed. The idle-stop feature of the system of this car automatically

shuts off the Hybrid's gasoline engine as soon as you stop the car, decreasing fuel consumption emission level.

Exterior, Interior & Safety of the Honda Civic Hybrid

The Civic Hybrid borrows almost all of its styling cues from the standard Honda Civic sedan. Carrying a cab-forward design, the passenger compartment of Civic hybrid has been literally isolated from front engine compartment of the car. The aggressive front in combination with a sweeping roofline and steeply raked windshield, offers a fascinating road presence to the car.

The interior of Civic Hybrid carries a two-tiered instrument panel that hosts a digital speedometer, fuel gauge, and IMA readout. Moreover the car carries tachometer that displaysengine speed, tilting and telescoping steering wheel, and two-tone seating.

The major safety features of Honda Civic Hybrid include Advanced Compatibility Engineering(ACE), front 3-point seat belts with automatic tensioning system, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and all four doors side-impact beams.