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The 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid Has Greatly Improved Over Last Year's Model

By Kathy Jenkins

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Published: 23Jan2012
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For the first time, the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is employing a lithium-ion battery, and the EPA fuel economy has been increased from 41 mpg to 44 mpg. For automobiles that do not plug into the power grid, the Civic Hybrid has solidified its second-place position with the improvement in fuel economy. With all the boost in mileage, the Civic is nearer to the Prius, and now ahead of the Lexus CT 200h. Because the Civic Hybrid is not really a hatchback, Honda claims that it is the most fuel-efficient sedan on US highways.

The fifth generation hybrid powertrain system that the 2012 Civic Hybrid uses is called the Integrated Motor Assist, which happens to be an electric motor/generator that is a thin, pancake-type. This solely assists the gasoline engine by being integrated between the engine and transmission, making it similar to the hybrid systems from Ford and Toyota. The automobile can be powered by electric power alone, but normally the electric motor assists the gas engine. The car can 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. If the car stops the engine shuts off, and then starts up again when it is time to go, like other hybrid vehicles.

The new 2012 Civic Hybrid includes a larger gasoline engine, along with the shift to lithium-ion batteries. The 1.3-liter engine has recently been increased to a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, but the combined horsepower of the electric and gas is going to be unchanged. The engine works at lower RPMs because of the larger displacement, which produces a quieter ride by having the electric motor used more frequently. For getting optimal performance, every aspect of the hybrid system was tweaked, like the increase of the motor output from 15kw to 20kw. To better take care of temperature, it now uses plastic spacers, together with using more coils and magnets that are widely spaced. The motor has been enhanced three horsepower above the previous motor, running up to 23 horsepower.

The nickel-metal hydride power supply has been substituted by the more powerful 20-kw Li-ion battery, which is 5 kw more and 30% lighter. Together with the battery's 35% improvement in efficiency and the IMA system's greater power, the Civic Hybrid is now offering the capability of using only electric motor power more often, in certain times of cruising at low speeds. The car has several complaints as a result of battery failures, so the upgrade to the lithium battery should fix that problem. A continuously variable transmission wraps up the IMA process. It operates similar to a 10-speed bicycle with a drive pulley and a driven pulley that are linked with a steel belt. It is a combination of a manual transmission and also a conventional geared automatic transmission.

Because of the enhancements made on the 2012 Civic Hybrid in fuel efficiency and upgraded battery, it's now a car to be reckoned with. It really is catching the Prius when it comes to efficiency and Honda has always been a favorite for many people.

Kathy Jenkins writes about Honda Civic Hybrid along with murray lawn mower. To know more about wheel horse parts click here.

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