Lowest Selling Mileage Ever: New Honda Civic e:HEV Hybrid Launches In Europe, On Sale This Fall
Lowest Selling Mileage Ever: New Honda Civic e:HEV Hybrid Launches In Europe, On Sale This Fall
The latest version of the hev hybrid from the French automaker’s plant in Monterrey is now available for purchase on U.S. model-maker used car sales networks and online at major dealerships. With an estimated retail price from $26,000 to $32,000 before tax, it is a little more than half the cost of the current Prius EV. A 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle turbocharged engine rated 125 horsepower makes this 2nd generation Civic the most powerful hybrid system of all time. At the same power rating, it has no fuel economy ratings for driving around town or back roads. But that said, it will still get you 40 miles of range from a full tank of gas. There are two drive modes: Normal driving with manual (a manual transmission) and Eco with DSEG drive mode, which has lower emissions than normal driving. An eight-speed automatic (with paddle shifters) makes this car comfortable, but don’t expect many amenities. Both drives are variable-ratio, so the driver can set them as low or high as they like, even during rush-hour traffic.
The new Model S-line has been slightly revised to offer three trim levels; RWD, SE And Sport Plus. Each model gets a different interior and some exterior design elements. For example, the SE and Sport Plus models have blacked out door handles and side mirrors, while RWD includes 17- in front wheel wheels and 18-in rearwheel options. They also differ in terms of technology (for instance, SE and Sport Plus come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto).
Inside the cabin there are seven seats, including two bucket seats and two cupholder rows, plus storage for a 12-volt USB charger and wireless phone charging pad. There are two USB outlets on the center console for plugging in phones and one USB outlet on each armrest. Seats on the second row are folded down toward the floor with two additional rows for storage. You can select heated leather seating, along with 16.9 cubic feet per minute (C/MP3) audio system. Electric controls on the steering wheel have both a large button and dial for easy operation and voice recognition on the navigation system. Along with other features, such as SiriusXM satellite radio integration, the digital instrument cluster has four large buttons located within an 8.1 inch touchscreen display with five speakers. Another 10.9 inches of screen shows up the weather condition at any given moment, so that you know when to charge the battery. Two side mirrors and the door handles have round mirrors, making parking easier (and better for blind spots).
All this comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 electric motor producing 140 kW of maximum system output and 200 kW continuous charge rate. Charging takes place using mains electricity with 20 kW total charge. If plug-in hybrids or EVs can charge the vehicle, then the entire process should be done quickly without damaging the battery pack. But the company isn’t claiming instant start time, just in case. Also, the vehicles are manufactured under tight environmental controls, so they can handle rough driving conditions and long trips around town and city backroads without causing too much discomfort. Lastly, the whole ecosystem has plenty of safety features as well, including forward collision warning and lane keep assist, plus radar cruise control, lane departure mitigation (LDM), pedestrian detection, lane keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, auto-dimming rear lights and night vision. Honda says your vehicle will maintain a minimum distance from another Honda car for up to 50 meters in automated lane keep-assist, and other cars.
While we wait to see how these engines hold up next year and beyond, the Honda Civic finally has a plug-in hybrid competitor in the form of the first fully electrified sedan in North America. While we believe the hev is a good choice for cities who need strong internal combustion-based power, those looking for the pure electric experience will find the compact Accord Hybrid offers greater value. Our best advice? Go for the mid-size Fit, with room to spread things out a bit more. We’re excited to introduce it to customers this fall.
Honda Civic hev Hybrid specifications:
Engine: 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle DOHC V-6 electric hybrid powertrain (2.0-liter inline-six DOHC variant)
Power: 124 hp @ 6000 RPM (80 kW DC) with TorqueFlick Turbocharger
Max torque: 205 lb.-ft. (500 N-m)
Combined Fuel Economy Rating (CFE): 34/32/33 (city / highway)
Transmission: 9-speed Automated Transmission (with paddle shifters)
Electric Drive Range:
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