Electric-petrol mix cares for the air

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Honda will launch a petrol-electric version of its four-door Civic in New Zealand early next year, a few months after Toyota unveils its Prius sedan.

Both Japanese carmakers have been trialling their hybrid passenger cars in New Zealand for some time. Prices are not yet known.

Honda New Zealand managing director Graeme Seymour says the new Civic has an important role to play in the local lineup. "Hybrid technology is going to be an increasingly important part of Honda's future," he said. "We have customers who are wanting to contribute to the environment and it's appropriate that we make it available to them."

The Civic Hybrid uses similar IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) technology to that of Honda's first hybrid, the Insight Coupe.

It is powered by a 1.3-litre engine from the Honda Jazz coupled with an electric motor and mated to a continuously variable transmission.

The petrol engine produces 63kW (85bhp) at 5700rpm, with the electric motor contributing another 10kW (13.4bhp).

The engine charges a storage battery from which the electric motor sources its energy. Under throttle, the electric motor helps boost power. The transition is seamless, says Honda, and the driving technique is no different from that of a conventional car.

Further battery charging takes place through regenerative braking when the car is coming to a stop off the throttle.

The car never needs to be plugged into an outside power source.

Honda says the Civic Hybrid can return 4.9 litres/100km (58mpg).

The ultra-low emissions car was first launched in Japan in 2001. It went on sale in the US last year and will soon be released in Europe.