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HONDA CIVIC HYBRID

ABOUT HONDA CIVIC HYBRID

Honda Civic Hybrid compact car is manufactured by Honda assembled 4-door sedan having FF layout. The predecessor is Honda Civic. The Honda Civic Hybrid is a hybrid version of the Honda Civic sedan. Honda added a continuously variable transmission and an Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system similar to that of the Insight, creating a fuel efficient hybrid sedan. 

It is an assist hybrid. It was first introduced in 2003, on the seventh generation Civic; it received updated styling for 2004 due to a delay in rolling out the succeeding Hybrid, the first generation Hybrid sold alongside the eight generation Civics for

In 2006. The second generation Civic Hybrid is based on the eighth generation Civic, with differences in styling between the USDM and JDM Hybrids.

FEATURES OF HONDA CIVIC HYBRID

Honda Civic has an engine of 1.3 L I4 SOHC with a transmission CVT 5-speed manual, a wheelbase of 103.1 in, a length of 174.6 in, a width 67.5 in and a height of 56.7 in.

FIRST GENERATION OF HONDA

It has a fuel capacity of 12.3 US gal. / 50 liters with a gas engine of 1.3 L I4 SOHC, electric 156 volt 15 kW, transmission(s) of CVT, a wheelbase of 106.3 in (2700 mm), a length of 176.7 in (4488 mm), width 69.0 in (1753 mm) and height of 56.3 in (1430 mm). Its fuel capacity of 12.3 US gal. / 50 litres.1.3 L single overhead cam i-DSI lean-burn internal-combustion engine with VTEC Cylinder Its cut-off System allows three cylinders to cease operation during deceleration decreasing friction losses generated by engine aspiration with more effective regeneration of energy.

 15 kW (20 hp) brushless, permanent magnet assist motor functions as a generator during deceleration and loads (recharges) batteries. It even constitutes a 120 V Nickel-metal hydride batteries with 6.0 A•h capacity, Multimatic S continuously variable or 5-speed manual transmission and a SULEV or optional AT-PZEV certification by the California Air Resources Board with low rolling resistance tires and regenerative braking, electric power-steering eliminating the need to be plugged in.

SECOND GENERATION OF THE HONDA CIVIC

The features of the second generation Honda Civic includes:

1.3 L single overhead cam four-cylinder gas engine with a high profile camshaft increasing the power to 93 hp (69 kW) @ 6000 rpm.

It has a third stage of i-VTEC and VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) permitting deactivation of all four cylinders when decelerating and constant cruising. This further allows to run the car on electric power.

The manual transmission option has been discontinued.

EPA is increased to 40 mpg (US) (5.9 L/100 km, 16.94 km/L) city, 45 mpg (US) (5.2 L/100 km, 19.23 km/L) highway.

It has been added with a 15-inch lightweight alloy wheels.

COMPARISION

As compared to the Toyota Prius, Civic hybrid has a smaller though, a powerful gasoline engine of 1.3L 95BHP while Toyota has an engine of 1.5L 76BHP.

The electronic assistant motor of the Civic 20 BHP while Prius’s is powerful with 67BHP.

Toyota Prius gives a better fuel mileage.

The price of Prius is $21500 to $23770 while Civic’s price is 22600.

AWARDS FOR THE HONDA CIVIC

The car’s engine won the International Engine of the Year in the “1 liter to 1.4 liter” size category award for three years from 2002 to 2004.

It even got the “Best Fuel Economy” category for 2003 and 2004.

The car also won Motor Trend 2006 Car of the Year award.

TOUR CAR RACING IN CIVICS

Civics are neither designed for performance nor holds any legitimate racing victories but have been used for racing since their introduction.

In 1973, a Civic was entered, alongside cars of much larger engine sizes, in the Australian Bathurst 1000 endurance race.

Civic has been used in a wide variety of racing series in Japan.

It is also used in touring car races in Europe and the United States.

In the UK, the Civic is used in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with Synchro Motor sport, and in endurance series of Barwell Motorsport and Cartek Motorsport.

In 2002, Honda entered the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with a works effort to win the title in the new Civic Type R.

In 2002 JAS Motorsport entered the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) with a Super-2000 spec Civic and was used until restart of the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in 2005.

For 2007 BTCC, Team Halfords ran Honda Civics for Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden continuing to use the Civic into the 2008 season.

In 2007 Honda’s R&D Engineering Team completed 645 laps in a Civic Si coupe (FG2) to place first in the E1 class of the famous ‘25 Hours of Thunder hill’ marathon race with the drivers Kim Wolf kill, Lee Niffenegger, Marie Sage, John Sherk, Rich Hays, Matt Staal and Car and Driver journalist Tony Swan.

STREET RACING IN CIVIC

With modification, Civic is becoming quicker and its popularity in street racing making it a popular choice for sport compact drag racing, where in the United States; it has helped to launch the career of numerous drag racers such as JoJo Callos, Kenny Tran and Lisa Kubo.

In the Tuner Car world, Civic’s engine is swapped making it practical to use as both a family car during the week and a performance vehicle at the tracks.

MODIFICATIONS IN THE NEW HONDA CIVIC

Civic has become popular for modification and customization by an enthusiast community as prior to its fifth and sixth generations, it had a high power-to-weight ratio and a higher hp-to-liter output allowing better acceleration, braking and handling given similar parts. Also, the advanced four-wheel independent suspension inspired by Honda’s racing research allowed the handling in the fourth generation continuing till 2001 model. 

Also, because of the interchangeability of its parts, models originally equipped with lower-power engines could be later equipped with a newer Honda engine and other upgrades.

The most recent models rated as compacts are competitive as tuner projects. However, they have succumbed to added weight, reduced suspension technology, and higher centers of gravity significantly reducing their appeal. These changes made the car safer on the whole though, and broadened its appeal to the average consumer.

AWARDS FOR THE CAR

The Civic has been awarded “Car of the Year” in Japan.

In 1973, it was the third in Europe’s “Car of the Year” awards with the highest ranking for a Japanese vehicle at that time.

It took the prize among imported vehicles in the U.S. Road Test magazine’s “1974 Car of the Year.”

The Civic was Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year for 1980 and its 2006 Car of the Year.

It has been on Car and Driver magazine’s yearly Ten Best list six times, in 1985, 1988-91, and 1996.

The Civic GX, a natural gas version was named Greenest Car of 2005 by the American

Council for Energy Efficient Economy.

Honda claimed 5 of the top 10 Greenest car slots, 3 of which were models of the Civic.

The Civic Si was named “Best New Sport Car” and the sedan the “Best New Economy Car” in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards.

The Civic won the North American Car of the Year and the North American

International Auto Show (NAIAS) Car of the Year awards for 2006.

In November 2006, the Civic received the “Car of The Year” award from Brazilian magazine Auto Esporte.

The four-door Civic VXi sedan won the South African Car of the Year award for 2007.