The Honda Civic Hybrid has an IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system. This pairs a 1.5l engine with an electric motor. The electric motor can provide additional power when required. The electric motor is mounted between the engine and transmission. The electric motor can propel the car to speeds up to 72 kph from a stop. The engine and electric motor together produce 110 hp. The fuel economy for the vehicle is an estimated 70 kpg for city driving and 70 kpg for motorway driving.
The Civic Hybrid also has a CVT (Continuously variable transmission). This is an advanced transmission which substitutes the gears that are found in a normal transmission. Instead of the gears there is a metal push-belt that runs between a pair of variable width pulleys. This works along side the drive-by-wire throttle system to constantly adjust the system to provide a more efficient drive ratio depending on the torque load. This can give better fuel efficiency and also better acceleration when you compare it to a normal transmission.
Located on the dashboard is a button with ECON on it. When this button is pushed, the vehicle goes into ECON mode. This configures the energy-consuming systems to operate more efficiently. The vehicle also has an Eco Assist feature. On either side of the Speed indicator is two coaching bars which turn blue and green. Stay in the green while driving and you will be able to go further on a tank of fuel.
Some of the features that come with the Civic is FM Traffic. It is a feature of the GPS system. This will alert you to the current traffic conditions and is able to guide you around and heavy traffic by showing you alternative routes.
Here are some of the safety features that the vehicle has.
(ACE) Advanced Compatibility Engineering Body Structure. This enhances the protection in the event of a front on crash and there is elements to distribute the crash energy more evenly.
(SRS) Dual-Stage, multiple-threshold front airbags. One or two airbags will be deployed in the event of a head on crash if there is sufficient frontal impact. The airbags can be inflated at different rates, these rates depend on the severity of the crash.
(TPMS) Tire Pressure Monitoring System. This monitors the pressure in all four tires and will alert the driver if the pressure becomes significantly low.
(VSA) Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control. This can brake individual wheels or reduce the engine power if you understeer or oversteer the vehicle, this will help to gain control and regain the intended path of the vehicle.
The Civic also has (ABS) Anti-Lock Brakes with electronic brake distribution, (DRL) Daytime running lights.
If car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney do start to move their fleets to vehicles, which are a hybrid like the Honda Civic, then this would reduce their carbon footprint as well as help to reduce their maintenance costs for their fleets and the need to refuel their vehicles. This would also reduce the cost for car rental in Sydney.