2012 Honda Civic Hybrid: Upgraded Compared To Last Year's Design

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid: Upgraded Compared To Last Year's Design

By:


The new 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is currently using a lithium-ion battery and its fuel economy has grown 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. This improvement in energy economy makes it superior to 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 Integrated Motor Assist is going to be the fifth released hybrid powertrain system that the 2012 Civic Hybrid uses, which is thin, pancake like electronic motor/generator. 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. Even though the car can be operated by just electric power, it usually uses a mixture of both electric and gasoline engines. During particular situations, the Honda can run on electronic power only but all of the engine 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.

Along with the conversion to lithium-ion batteries, the 2012 Civic Hybrid carries a larger gasoline engine. 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. Because of the more substantial displacement, the engine runs at a lower RPM which translates into a quieter ride as the electric motor is used more. Honda attained ideal efficiency by tweaking the hybrid system like improving 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 horsepower with the motor has been accelerated simply by three horsepower 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. With the battery being 35% more potent and the IMA system being more robust, the car is able to cruise at low speeds on pure electricity. There has been reliability troubles linked to the battery so the switch to lithium battery should resolve this problem. Finishing the IMA system is going to be the continually variable transmission. The transmission works similar to a 10-speed bicycle which comes with a drive pulley and a driven pulley which are linked with a steel belt. This is a combination between the conventional geared automatic transmission and a manual 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. This enhancement has definitely made Prius glance over its shoulder.


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



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


|

Loading...
Related....
Videos...

Recent Automobiles Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.