Honda Civic Hybrid

Iain Robertson reviews the new Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr, which carries a number of aerodynamic features to aid the overall fuel consumption

ENGINE: 1.4-litre, 4-cyl, 8v
POWER: 115bhp combined petrol/electric
TOP SPEED:   115mph
0-60MPH:    12.1secs
CO2:    109g/km
BIK tax :  12%
MPG: 40mpg
PRICE:   from £16,265

By equipping the Honda Civic saloon body with an exceedingly frugal 1.4-litre, 95bhp, lean-burn petrol engine (a version of that fitted to the Jazz model), to which a 20bhp permanent magnet electric motor is hooked-up, something special happens.

For a start, 115 combined bhp is a respectable enough figure for a family sedan. However, what makes the greatest impact is the combined torque figure of 90lbs ft for the petrol engine and 76lbs ft for the electric unit. 166lbs ft is as sturdy as some diesel engines and this shows in the performance of the Civic Hybrid. Of course, you may well ask, why are two engines required?

This is the clever bit. Reducing exhaust emissions is the primary target. Although the original Insight was the UK’s least polluting motorcar, the new Civic is rated at 109g/km CO. A conventional 1.4-litre Civic emits 143g/km, which means that it has a tax rating of 16 per cent with VED of £100, compared with the Hybrid’s 12 per cent and £40 VED cost. Yet, the performance, aided by the immediacy of electric response, is remarkably zesty, as the Hybrid shaves 2.0 seconds from the petrol version’s 0-60mph time and adds 8mph to its 107mph top speed.

Yet, the ingenuity continues. Just like an electric milk float, which surprisingly enough provides the Co-op milkman with instant acceleration to his blistering top speed of 7mph, the electric engine provides a torque boost to an accelerating Civic, which has the side benefit of aiding its fuel economy. Yet, at traffic lights and stop signs, the Hybrid’s engine shuts down, so the electric unit ensures that all of the car’s facilities - the electrical components, air-con, stereo and so on - continue to operate at maximum capability. There is no engine noise and no pollution, until you apply throttle, or release the brake-pedal.

Interestingly, as the compact battery unit, which sits beneath the rear floor, needs to be recharged, as soon as the brakes are applied or the car operates on over-run, the alternator changes its function to that of a dynamo and feeds the battery with fresh power. Of course, the battery, a high voltage (158 volts) Nickel Metal Hydride unit rated at 5.5Ah, is special in its own right. The beauty is, you have no need to service the battery, which is warranted for eight years, and all you have to do to refuel the car is top up the tank with two-star unleaded.

In fact, the Civic Hybrid looks and behaves remarkably normally.  Hit the throttle and the engine revs race towards the redline until either you lift off, or the car catches up with itself. Drive it and you will understand what I mean.

Inside, the Hybrid has a marginally different look to the avant-garde Civic hatchback.  Honda has decided to make the conventionally powered car less conservative than the Hybrid. Yet, a digital speedometer sits just below the lower windscreen surround, while an analogue tachometer (rev-counter) sits just behind the steering wheel, with its on-board battery charging/usage gauge and switchable mileage/consumption record alongside. I particularly like the large knob stereo and its high position in the centre of the dashboard, while the climate control is equally visible and easy to use.

The driving position is excellent and there is bags of room for up to five adults and their belongings within the 4-door sedan shell. The CVT transmission lever sprouts from the usual centre console, with a compact handbrake lever alongside. A pair of deep and capacious storage bins sit ahead of and behind the shifter. Intriguingly, the windscreen wipers work in a “clap-hands” MPV pattern, rather than the usual sweep.

Thanks to double-wishbone suspension at each corner, the Civic Hybrid handles very well. Its body does carry a number of aerodynamic features to aid the overall fuel consumption, which include the specially flowed alloy wheels and underbody addenda.

Presently exempted from London’s Congestion Charge, the new Honda Civic Hybrid is a fascinating machine from a technological standpoint.