New Car Review of the 2004 Honda Civic Gasoline Electric Hybrid Sedan.
Description: Compact Gasoline Electric Hybrid Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $19,650 - $20,650
Invoice Price Range: Â $17,426 -Â $18,867
The revised exterior styling for sedans and coupes in the Civic series also works on this gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle.
There's a thrifty but conventional 1.3-liter four-cylinder plant that operates on gasoline plus a battery-powered electric motor of permanent-magnet design. But the beauty of Honda's dual-engine power system is that Civic Hybrid looks and acts like a conventional car and delivers more than adequate acceleration for city driving and even speedy moves on a freeway.
Virtually silent at start-up due to its electric motor connection, Honda's hybrid leaps to action on command with the gasoline engine kicking up fast-fired acceleration. Primary power comes from the four-cylinder gasoline-powered engine, an ultra-efficient plant composed of lightweight materials like aluminum, magnesium and durable plastics. It uses low-friction and lean-burn techniques with Honda's variable valve control to produce 85 hp. Secondary power is delivered by the high-output permanent-magnet electric motor tied to a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery. It makes 10 kilowatts of power, or 13 hp. A power control unit called Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) regulates the electric charge from the battery, then uses electricity generated through vehicle braking and decelerating to recharge the unit so it never needs to be plugged in for recharging like an electric vehicle.
The hybrid Civic carries upgraded fabrics in the cabin, plus an automatic climate controller and alloy wheels, with standard safety features of an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and frontal plus side-impact air bags.
