FINALLY, India gets its first hybrid sedan, courtesy of Honda. Based on the technologically advanced Civic Sedan, the Honda Civic Hybrid includes the Integrated Motor Assist ( IMA) technology to achieve a US Environmental Protection Agencyestimated city/ highway fuel economy rate of 20- 25 kmpl – the highest for any 2008 Honda product.A 1.3- litre, i- VTEC four- cylinder engine and a 16bhp electric motor produce a combined 110bhp at 6,000 rpm, a maximum engine torque of 122 Nm and a maximum motor torque of 103 Nm. The primary IMA components consist of a 12- kilowatt ( 16bhp), 2.8- inch- wide ( 70 mm) electric motor positioned between the engine and the transmission, an Intelligent Power Unit ( IPU) that controls the flow of electricity to and from the electric motor, and a compact nickel- metal hydride ( NiMH) battery pack. During acceleration, the petrol engine and electric motor work together to propel the vehicle. During cruising, either the engine or the motor can propel the vehicle. In certain steady- state cruising situations, the IMA system can deactivate all four of the engine’s cylinders and operate using only the electric motor. The car also employs regenerative braking, which means the battery pack is charged during braking, using the car’s momentum. During this process, the petrol engine deactivates and the electric motor acts as a generator to replenish the battery pack. At a stop, the engine can enter an idle stop mode to save fuel and reduce emissions by turning off until the brake pedal is released. In this mode, the hybrid air conditioning compressor continues to operate even when the engine is off. Built on a rigid unit- body platform, the
For maximum economy, run the car in assist mode
Hybrid is designed to deliver precise, sharp and refined handling performance with its fully independent MacPherson strut front suspension and multi- link rear suspension. The Civic employs a wide array of standard and advanced safety technologies, including the Advanced Compatibility Engineering ( ACE) body structure, side curtain airbags, driver- and front passenger- side airbags with a passenger- side Occupant Position Detection System ( OPDS), and dual- stage, dual- threshold driver’s and front passenger’s airbags ( SRS). The active front- seat head restraints are designed to help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. Standard active safety features include an anti- lock brake system ( ABS) with brake assist and electronic brake distribution, front seat belts with automatic tension and load limiters, and a pedestrian injury mitigation design incorporated into the front exterior of the vehicle. Driver and front- passenger seat- belt reminders and daytime running lights are also part of the standard equipment. The car is priced at Rs 21.5 lakh, exshowroom, in Delhi – almost Rs 9 lakh higher than the petrol Civic 1.8V AT – mainly due to the 104 per cent import duty applicable on the completely- built units ( CBUs).
IT’S ABOUT THE MILEAGE
One of the most important reasons why one should upgrade from the standard Civic to the Civic Hybrid is the mileage of the latter. At the launch of the car, auto writers from across the country were asked to derive the best mileage out of Civic Hybrid. The main objective of the run was to demonstrate the Civic Hybrid’s fuel efficiency in terms of both city and highway traffic conditions. Hence, cars were made to travel a distance of 82 km from Connaught Place to Greater Noida, which would mean driving through bumperto- bumper city traffic as well as cruise consistently on an Expressway.
The Auto Bild India team did way better than Honda’s expectations by clocking an impressive 23.1kmpl. As humble winners, we would like to share that there is no magic fuel or secret prescriptive handling but making sure that the car is running more on battery assist than on fuel. How do you maximise the mileage of your Civic Hybrid? There’s an electronic display beside the tachometer that shows whether the engine is in Assist ( battery only) or Recharge ( engine on) mode. There is also a digital meter, which shows the car’s average and instant fuel consumption. For maximum economy, run the car in Assist mode as much as possible – don’t accelerate hard, and cruise at a a steady 40- 45 kmph. That will ensure an average of around 20kmpl. Follow our lead and you’ll recover the difference of Rs 9 lakh. If you use your Honda Civic Hybrid intelligently, you’ll recover the additional Rs 9 lakh.
-AutoBild India
For maximum economy, run the car in assist mode
Hybrid is designed to deliver precise, sharp and refined handling performance with its fully independent MacPherson strut front suspension and multi- link rear suspension. The Civic employs a wide array of standard and advanced safety technologies, including the Advanced Compatibility Engineering ( ACE) body structure, side curtain airbags, driver- and front passenger- side airbags with a passenger- side Occupant Position Detection System ( OPDS), and dual- stage, dual- threshold driver’s and front passenger’s airbags ( SRS). The active front- seat head restraints are designed to help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. Standard active safety features include an anti- lock brake system ( ABS) with brake assist and electronic brake distribution, front seat belts with automatic tension and load limiters, and a pedestrian injury mitigation design incorporated into the front exterior of the vehicle. Driver and front- passenger seat- belt reminders and daytime running lights are also part of the standard equipment. The car is priced at Rs 21.5 lakh, exshowroom, in Delhi – almost Rs 9 lakh higher than the petrol Civic 1.8V AT – mainly due to the 104 per cent import duty applicable on the completely- built units ( CBUs).
IT’S ABOUT THE MILEAGE
One of the most important reasons why one should upgrade from the standard Civic to the Civic Hybrid is the mileage of the latter. At the launch of the car, auto writers from across the country were asked to derive the best mileage out of Civic Hybrid. The main objective of the run was to demonstrate the Civic Hybrid’s fuel efficiency in terms of both city and highway traffic conditions. Hence, cars were made to travel a distance of 82 km from Connaught Place to Greater Noida, which would mean driving through bumperto- bumper city traffic as well as cruise consistently on an Expressway.
The Auto Bild India team did way better than Honda’s expectations by clocking an impressive 23.1kmpl. As humble winners, we would like to share that there is no magic fuel or secret prescriptive handling but making sure that the car is running more on battery assist than on fuel. How do you maximise the mileage of your Civic Hybrid? There’s an electronic display beside the tachometer that shows whether the engine is in Assist ( battery only) or Recharge ( engine on) mode. There is also a digital meter, which shows the car’s average and instant fuel consumption. For maximum economy, run the car in Assist mode as much as possible – don’t accelerate hard, and cruise at a a steady 40- 45 kmph. That will ensure an average of around 20kmpl. Follow our lead and you’ll recover the difference of Rs 9 lakh. If you use your Honda Civic Hybrid intelligently, you’ll recover the additional Rs 9 lakh.-AutoBild India
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