The 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid Has Significantly Advanced Over Last Year's Design

By Ellie Hulslander


For the first time, the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is utilizing a lithium-ion battery, and the EPA fuel economy has been improved from 41 mpg to 44 mpg. For cars that use gasoline, the Civic Hybrid is in second place for gasoline economy. The rise in fuel consumption rate is what makes the Civic closer to the Prius and ahead of the Lexus CT 200h. It is regarded as the most fuel-efficient 4 door on the market today.

Each 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. Much like the systems employed in Ford and Toyota hybrids, Honda's system assists the gasoline engine by being integrated between the transmission and engine. The automobile could very well be driven by electric power alone, but normally the electric motor assists the gas engine. The car will run briefly on electric power only in selected instances when the Civic Hybrid engine cuts off fuel, but all of the engines parts still move. Like other hybrids, the Civic's engine should turn off when it comes to a complete stop.

Typically the 2012 Civic Hybrid has a larger gasoline engine, combined with the shift to lithium-ion batteries. In spite of the boost from 1.3-liter engine to 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the horsepower from both electric and gas are the same. As a result of larger displacement, the engine runs at a lower RPM which leads to a quieter ride as the electric motor is used more. Honda attained ideal efficiency by tweaking the hybrid system like improving the motor output from 15kw to 20kw. Plastic spacers along with widely spaced coils and magnets enable the system to better regulate the temperature. The horsepower with the motor has been accelerated by three horsepower to 23 horsepower.

The 20-kw Li-ion battery is a major advancement over the nickel-metal hydride battery that was used in the previous model, providing an extra 5kw of power with 30% less weight. Seeing that the IMA model provides more robust power and the battery is 35% more efficient than before, the Civic Hybrid is able to go all-electric at low speeds. The vehicle has numerous complaints as a result of battery failures, so the upgrade to the lithium battery should fix that problem. Rounding out the IMA system will be the continuously variable transmission. It operates similar to a 10-speed bicycle using a drive pulley and a driven pulley that are linked with a steel belt. It is kind of just like a mixture of a manual and geared automatic transmission.

With sound enhancements in fuel-efficiency and battery, the 2012 Civic Hybrid has certainly earned its awards. It really is catching the Prius when it comes to efficiency and Honda has long been a favorite for many people.




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