Rep Power: 0

Q: What is a Honda Civic Hybrid vehicle?
A: A hybrid vehicle combines a gasoline-powered engine with an electric motor to provide increased gas mileage and help lower emissions. Specifically, the Civic Hybrid utilizes Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™) technology, which uses a 1.3-liter i-VTEC® engine for primary power, then an ultra-thin electric motor provides added power.

http://automobiles.honda.com/models/...e=Civic+Hybrid

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks.
I think people do no understand the hybrid technology, many are confused whether it means diesel, electricity, batteries, water or other technologies.

 
Rep Power: 0

Here is an animation of the Hybrid motor with close-ups of the cam and how it has THREE stages (not just low-cam and high-cam like a normal VTEC motor). The Hybrid motor actually has a "valves closed" cam profile which still blows my mind. This animation will answer a lot of questions for people.

Honda Worldwide | July 5, 2005 "Honda Announces Development of New Honda Hybrid System Featuring 3-Stage i-VTEC+IMA"

 
Rep Power: 0

honda calculates everything into the hybrid especially weight, thats the reason behind the goofy wheels as well

 
Rep Power: 0

haha, yeah the wheels look like mini flying saucers,they attract too much attention to the already space age design, but i do have to admit they are light and i mean light as hell for what they are.

 
Rep Power: 0

Indeed. As a retired auto industry person I like to dive into the technology on anything I own or plan to buy. My pevious Honda, an '04 Insight CVT was a fascinating study in how attention to small details made everything work to reult in 60+ mpg. I see the same thought in the new Civic Hybrid, which I just picked up two weeks ago.

The Insight's underside was completely sealed to promote airflow and nearly every drag or rolling resistance source had some form of attention, whether it be the tiny tread width or the high pressures in the tires, to the under-scuttle panels that directed air under the front tires, etc. Weight reduction could be found everywhere, yet the aluminum structure was very rigid.