Moving over to the electrical half, the new Civic Hybrid uses proprietary components designed by Honda's own engineers. The latest
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| When its gasoline and electric power sources are working in tandem, the Civic Hybrid is able to produce a total output of 110-horsepower at 2,500 rpm and 123 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: American Honda) |
high performance coils and magnets are in use; they make all the difference when it comes to power, producing 1.5 times the peak power of the current motor without any increase in size. The computer chip which governs the electrical half was also upgraded by Honda to provide a better power translation, and enables better power optimization for longer battery life.
When its gasoline and electric power sources are working in tandem, the Civic Hybrid is able to harness the best of both worlds. Its electric motor, rated at 158 volts, provides torque from 0 rpm (idle), giving it the means to launch quickly and then keep up in fast-paced inner-city traffic, while maintaining low fuel usage even when encountering stop and go traffic. Altogether, a total output of 110-horsepower
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| During low-speed cruising mode, providing there's enough juice in the battery pack the engine is completely deactivated and the car is powered by the electric motor alone. (Photo: American Honda) |
at 2,500 rpm and 123 lb-ft of torque are generated. Performance should be equal to, say, the average 1.8-liter car, or even a few 2.0-liter machines like the old Mk.IV VW Golf GL or New Beetle.
Where the outgoing Civic Hybrid is merely charged and recharged by its gasoline motors, the new model incorporates five different modes of operation including the ability to be powered solely on electrical power. When the vehicle is stationary, the engine is turned off via the idle-stop system: nothing new. The new technology shows up during acceleration and cruising; under mild acceleration the engine operates in low-speed variable valve timing, while at high speeds, the motor swaps over to the high-speed variable valve timing mode for greater power and a sportier characteristic. Bigger news still is the low-speed cruising mode, where the engine is completely deactivated and the car is powered by the electric motor alone.
