2012 Honda Civic Hybrid: Improved Beyond Last Year’s Model

The new 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is now using a lithium-ion battery and its fuel economy has grown from 41 mpg to 44 mpg. For cars that use gasoline, the Civic Hybrid happens to be in second place for fuel economy. The boost in fuel consumption rate makes the Civic closer to the Prius and ahead of the Lexus CT 200h. Since the Civic Hybrid is not really a hatchback, Honda claims that it is the most fuel-efficient sedan on US highways.

A new 2012 Civic Hybrid works by using the Integrated Motor Assist, which is the fifth generation hybrid powertrain platform that is made up of a thin, pancake like electronic motor/generator. The device is similar to Ford and Toyota where it assists the gasoline engine by being sandwiched between the transmission and engine. While the car can be powered by just electric power, it usually uses a mixture of both electric and gasoline engines. For specific situations, the Honda can run on electrical power only but all of the engine parts still move. Like other hybrids, the Civic’s engine is going to turn off when it arrives at a complete stop.

Together with the conversion to lithium-ion batteries, the 2012 Civic Hybrid incorporates a larger gasoline engine. It is now offering a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine rather than 1.3-liters but the bundled horsepower of gas and electric remain the same. Because of the larger displacement, the engine runs at a lower RPM which results in a quieter ride as the electric motor is used more. Every part of the hybrid system was improved, like the increase of the motor output from 15kw to 20kw. Heat is managed more effectively by using plastic spacers and evenly spaced coils and magnets. The motor has been increased three horsepower over the previous motor, running up to 23 horsepower.

The nickel-metal hydride power supply has been replaced by the more powerful 20-kw Li-ion battery, which is 5 kw more and 30% lighter. Together with the battery’s 35% boost in efficiency and the IMA system’s greater power, the Civic Hybrid is now offering the capability of using only electric motor power more often, in certain times of cruising at low speeds. With the move to lithium battery, the problems that plagued the previous battery should now be resolved. Rounding out the IMA system is going to be the continually variable transmission. The transmission functions like a 10-speed bicycle which comes with a drive pulley and a driven pulley which are linked with a steel belt. This is a combination between the conventional geared automatic transmission and a manual transmission.

With sound enhancements in fuel-efficiency and battery, the 2012 Civic Hybrid has certainly earned its accolades. This kind of advancement has definitely made Prius start looking over its shoulder.