Honda Dumps Civic Hybrid, CNG Models

While the rest of the world is going full speed ahead to bring alternative fuel cars to market, Honda is busy eliminating them from its product mix. This week, Honda’s executive vice-president, John Mendel, announced that the company is dumping the Civic Hybrid and the compressed natural gas (CNG) models from its product lineup, according to Green Car Reports.

The Civic Hybrid was introduced in 2003 as an alternative to the Toyota Prius. It sold well at first, but Honda reportedly had problems with battery cooling and recalibrated the cars as they were brought in for service. After the cars were “fixed”, fuel economy was often worse than it was for conventional Civics with conventional gasoline engines. The word got out and sales fell off a cliff. Honda has never had the courage to fix its mistake. Now the Civic Hybrid is history and there is nothing in the pipeline to replace it until at least 2018.

Honda tried to promote the CNG cars but demand remained weak. Annual sales never topped 700 cars. “Honda has promoted CNG for many years, but customer demand remains quite small,” says Mandel. “There appears to be no real appetite on the part of competitors or policymakers to promote it. That, plus the negligible price different, mean that consumer demand just hadn’t developed as Honda hoped — and there seems little likelihood that the situation will change in coming years.”

Mandel does say that an updated Accord Hybrid will be in showrooms soon. Availability has been an issue in many parts of the country but supplies are scheduled to increase when the new, built in Japan Accord Hybrid arrives with its advanced two motor drivetrain. It is expected to exceed the 47 mpg fuel economy offered by the present car.

Mendel says the two motor system will be offered soon in another Honda model but declined to provide specifics. He also says the company will bring three new “green” cars to market by 2018, including a battery electric vehicle and new plug in hybrid.

Honda was quick out of the gate when the whole green car movement began. Its original 2 passenger Insight, released just after y2k, had excellent fuel economy from an early version of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system. But since then, Honda gets a failing grade for bringing alternative fuel cars to market. It is completely MIA when it comes to promoting battery recharging infrastructure, battery research, or advanced plug in technology.

Instead, it is joining Toyota in pushing for fuel cell cars — a technology that has no supporting infrastructure. It’s something nobody wants, despite all the ballyhoo coming from Japan about how wonderful it is. The company has shown a complete lack of leadership in bringing affordable alternative fuel vehicles to market. Instead, Mendel says it is concentrating its efforts on new models powered by ultra-efficient gasoline engines.

Honda just doesn’t get it. They are completely tone deaf and out of step with the transportation needs of a world experiencing climate change. Their corporate timidity could possibly lead to them losing their once dominant position in the marketplace. Honda is desperately in need of some cojones in the boardroom if it wants to remain relevant among the world’s car makers.

The Natural Choice: 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid Review

For most of the past 20 years, the Honda Civic has regularly been among the top 10 best-selling vehicles in America, and millions of Americans proudly call themselves Civic owners.I am convinced these are the only people who will buy the Honda Civic Hybrid, a car that delivers very good fuel economy in a very droll way.

This isn’t a knock on the 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid, which I recently spent a week with. Rather, it’s merely recognizing that this isn’t a car with car enthusiasts in mind. There is a very specific customer that Honda built the Civic Hybrid for, and that is current Civic owners.

While the 2014 Civic Model did get the updated looks, the 2013 model is far from ugly. The backend is by far the most exciting aspect of the car, with the still-innovative double gauge cluster design a close second. For a mass-market car, the I still think the Civic has one of the best cockpits. The leather seats could have been better, though the heating elements were a welcome addition with fall quickly giving way to winter here in the Northeast.

Unfortunately, the rest of the interior is lacking. The back seats offered adequate space, though one of the major drawbacks is the small trunk. The hybrid’s battery takes up a big chunk of space in the storage area, and the loss is noticeable. I’m the kind of person who regularly pushes storage space to the brink. and the Civic Hybrid doesn’t leave a lot of room for cramming.

The materials also felt subpar for a vehicle with a $27,060 price tag, with a lot of hard plastics and a cheap-feeling headunit that felt out of place in the Civic. If felt very aftermarket, rather than OEM, and the center stack had some very small buttons that could be frustrating to deal with. That said, I appreciate how Honda has kept the number of buttons and knobs to a functional minimum.

But if you’re a Civic owner, you’re used to limited trunk space, barely-adequete horsepower, and lesser interior materials. The 2013 Civic Hybrid uses a 110 horsepower 1.5 liter engine with Integrated Motor Assist, or IMA, for a total output  of 157 horsepower and 163 ft-lbs of torque. Sounds decent enough, but for one problem; the Civic Hybrid weighs a hefty 3,417 lbs, and the already-slow car feels downright sluggish without the electric motor to help motivate it.

Acceleration is not an area hybrids are known to shine in though, and many former Civic owners have gotten by with far less power. The regenerative braking, however, is something that takes a lot of getting used to, and there is still the issue of the brakes going from no stopping power to grabbing and slamming you against the seat belt. I live in a hilly area with a lot of stop signs, and even after a week I was still getting used to the system.

When it works though, the Civic Hybrid’s IMA system delivers some damn good gas mileage. Officially rated at 44 mpg across the board, I regularly went above and beyond that by pressing the ECO button and driving with a light foot. The best mileage the Civic told me I was getting was 47 mpg while cruising through downtown from stoplight to stoplight (most of which were green, I’ll grant you).

At $27,060, there are plenty of other hybrid options within a potential buyer’s price range, but I really don’t think the Honda Civic Hybrid was built as a “conquest car” to lure over Prius buyers. Rather, it’s a car to upsell to a lifelong Civic buyer, a person who has steadily increased their buying power over the years, but remains loyal to the Honda Civic even if they can afford something nicer.

With a full suite of infotainment, navigation, and satellite radio technologies, along with heated leather seats, the 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid is the nicest Civic you can buy save for the Civic Si. And if you’re not the kind of person into going fast and being flashy, the Honda Civic Hybrid is a low-key green car that is every bit as luxurious as the Civic Si. It’s the ultimate upsell, and with studies indicating that chicks dig guys who drive green cars, it might even be the better option for a bachelor with a bachelor’s degree.

The Honda Civic Hybrid is still a safe bet, one that won’t save the world, but won’t hurt it much either.

Europe-Only Honda Civic Diesel Boasts 65 MPG

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, or in this case, the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. For 2013, the Honda Civic i-DTEC will boast a 1.6 liter diesel engine offering 221 ft-lbs of torque, and a 78 mpg rating on the UK testing cycle, which roughly translates to 65 mpg on the U.S. standard. Naturally, it’s only for Europe.

Going on sale in january of 2013, the new Honda Civic diesel will debut an all-new Earth Dreams diesel engine called the i-DTEC. As with all Civic models, this one will be front-wheel drive, and will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission. While the 1.6 liter diesel engine offers just 118 horsepower, the 221 ft-lbs of torque will allow for some spirited driving to be sure.

In the UK, this diesel Honda Civic will cost  £19,400 , or about $31,000 in U.S. dollars. That’s a pretty expensive car, especially a Civic, but I have no doubt Honda could bring the price down a bit if production were shifted to the U.S. Alas, for now this engine and Civic are destined only for Europe, leaving the diesel market wide open for a usurper like say, the Chevy Cruze diesel, to step up and claim a place at the table.

Realisticly, the Civic diesel’s mpg rating would probably be between 50 and 60 mpg on the U.S. testing cycle. But that would still make it competitive with hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius and the 2013 Ford Fusion hybrid. Alas, diesel also costs more in the U.S. than a gallon of regular petrol. But I’d make the jump to diesel if I could, especially if the Civic were offered with both a diesel, and hatchback setup like the one pictured above. Would you?

Source: Carscoop

Civic Hybrid driver Heather Peters wins $9,800 judgment from Honda in small claims court

This is why some people didn't want to settle with Honda. Heather Peters, who took Honda to small claims court in Torrance, CA recently over claims of the Civic Hybrid's fuel economy, has been awarded $9,867.19 in damages. That's almost the maximum allowed in small claims court ($10,000) and is a decision that might have a big impact on future class-action litigation.

A refresher on the situation: In 2007, John True sued Honda because, he said, the automaker made misleading claims about the fuel economy of the Civic Hybrid. In 2009, after it became a class-action lawsuit, Honda settled with Civic hybrid drivers, giving them either up to $1,000 off the purchase of a new Honda or a $100 check. This didn't sit right with Peters, so she sued.

The court commissioner ruled that Honda "negligently misled" Peters with claims that Civic Hybrid could get 50 miles per gallon, the LA Times writes. In a statement, Peters said:

I am absolutely thrilled at the reports that I won, even though I won't see the actual judgment until it comes in the mail. It's a victory for Civic Hybrid owners everywhere! Sometimes big justice comes in small packages.

Honda says it plans to appeal, and this may all just be the beginning. Peters is encouraging other Civic Hybrid owners who are disappointed in their real-world mileage to file suits against the automaker in small claims courts across the country.

Source: Autoblog Green

Hybrid Cars achieves 68.7 mpg in 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

Yuuji Fujiki, chief engineer for Honda’a IMA hybrid system, holding the battery pack used in the 2012 Civic Hybrid. (Photos: Brad Berman, All rights reserved.)

The new 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, using a lithium ion battery for the first time, increased its average EPA fuel economy rating from 41 mpg to 44 mpg. The new model is rated at 44 in both city and highway driving. HybridCars.com, using hypermiling techniques, achieved the upper limit of what any driver should ever expect for fuel efficiency—a score of 68.7 mpg on a 10-mile course of mostly country lanes and some highway driving, with four or five stoplights along the way.

The improvement in fuel economy solidifies the Civic Hybrid’s second-place position for fuel economy among cars that don’t plug into the grid. The 44-mpg average moves the Civic slightly closer to the Prius’s 50-mpg level, and edges out the 42-mpg Lexus CT 200h. Honda makes the claim that the Civic Hybrid becomes the most fuel-efficient sedan—meaning it’s not a hatchback—on U.S. roads.

The all-new, ninth-generation 2012 Honda Civic arrives at dealers nationwide starting today. The MSRP for the Civic Hybrid begins at $24,050, and tops out at $26,750 for the package with leather, XM radio and leather.

Like other new Civic models—there are now five different versions, including the HF high fuel-effeciency non-hybrid model—the 2012 Civic Hybrid gains new features and sleeker styling.

Bigger Engine Means More Electric Power

In addition to the shift to lithium ion batteries, the 2012 Honda Civic uses a larger 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. “We changed the displacement from 1.3 to 1.5 liters,” said Yuuji Fujiki, chief engineer for Honda’a IMA hybrid system, in an exclusive interview with HybridCars.com. “But the fuel consumption rate is the same as current model.” Fujiki explained that the larger displacement allows the engine to run at lower RPMs, which in turn allows for more frequent use of the electric motor and produces a quieter ride.

The rear seat of the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is cut away to show placement of the lithium ion battery pack.

The Civic Hybrid’s lithium ion batteries are 30 percent smaller than the previous nickel-metal-hydride batteries—thereby granting more cargo space than the previous model.

Fujiki expained how every aspect of the hybrid system’s design was tweaked for optimal efficiency—such as the motor that increases output from 15 kW to 20 kW, uses more coils and widely spaced magnets, and employs plastic spacers to better manage temperature.

In addition to more frequent use of idle-stop, the engine valves are sometime deactivated to cut off fuel, even when the engine is turning. Honda refers to this as EV mode, although Fujiki admitted that it’s not a true all-electric condition. “It’s not electrical only,” he said. “The fuel system is stopped, but there is a mechanical drag.” Fujiki said that, at maximum output, this “no-fuel” mode could last up to 79 seconds.

All About Balance

The focus of Honda engineers was on total vehicle efficiency—evidenced by a remarkable 44-mpg average using a single-motor system that’s less expensive and complex than the Toyota two-motor approach. “We had to strike a balance between engine friction, motor output, and how to use the battery,” said Fujiki. “That balance is going to determine the overall efficiency.”

Honda's IMA hybrid system, shown with the transmission removed for easier viewing.

Our interview with Fujiki helped us win the MPG challenge, which was established by Honda for journalists attending the media preview for the 2012 Civic earlier this month in Washington, DC. His advice—to accelerate in a steady manner to about 45 miles per hour and stay at this speed for as much of the 10-mile course as possible—was the key to achieving the winning 68.7 mpg score. Fujiki also advised not to use the neutral gear when coasting.

“Don’t use neutral, because when idling, fuel is injected,” he said. “Keep it in Drive, so the engine can judge that you’re decelerating, and get into fuel-cut mode and so you can take advantage of regenerative braking.”

Six-Percent Hybrid Take-Rate

The new Civic HF sedan, positioned between the Civic LX and Civic EX, is rated for 41 miles per gallon on the highway and 29 in the city. It is equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, exclusive 15-inch lightweight alloy wheels and aerodynamic enhancements under the body, and a rear spoiler. It does not use any hybrid drivetrain technology or idle-stop features. Driving in exactly in the same manner in the HF as we did in the Civic Hybrid, we achieved 46 mpg on the 10-mile course. The MSRP for the 5-Speed Automatic HF model begins at $19,455.

All Civic models, except for the Si, now feature an “econ” button allowing drivers to maximize efficiency on demand.

Consumers will recognize the Civic’s raked windshield, wide stance and other styling features that do not dramatically depart from the current model. The hybrid has a unique grille design with blue accents. Special five-spoke alloy wheels, a decklid spoiler and LED brake lights further differentiate the Civic Hybrid from other Civic models. The interior of the Civic Hybrid uses exclusive seat fabric and unique door panel covers. The hybrid offers a range of standard and available audio and navigation technologies.

Honda expects to sell a total of 260,000 Civics in a year—with about 6 percent coming from the hybrid’s sales, and another 2 -3 percent from the HF model. That means about 1,300 sales of the hybrid per month—a fraction of Prius sales. Honda executives admitted that the company’s hybrids were primarily targeted at other global markets, such as Japan.

Source: Hybrid Cars

New 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid Receives Li-Ion Battery Technology, takes style, comfort and technology to a higher level

PRESS RELEASE

04/20/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.

The all-new 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid combines the sophistication of the Civic Sedan with the latest version of the Honda Integrated Motor Assist (IMA®) hybrid drivetrain.

Now with added features, new technology and the best EPA-estimated fuel economy of any sedan in the United States, the 2012 Civic Hybrid offers a higher fuel economy rating of 44/44/44 mpg1 city/highway/combined, up from 40/43/41 in the 2011 Civic Hybrid. Like other members of the Civic family, the 2012 Civic Hybrid gains new features and sleeker styling. Exclusive styling includes the front grill, headlights, taillights, wheels and side mirrors. The two available models are the Civic Hybrid with cloth seats and a Civic Hybrid with leather seating surfaces. Either version can be equipped with a navigation system.

"The Civic Hybrid provides the advantages of hybrid technology while maintaining the look and feel of a familiar sedan," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The car's fuel economy rating can be summed up quite easily – 44 miles per gallon says it all."

For 2012, the Honda IMA system uses lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries, replacing the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in the previous two generations of Civic Hybrid. The gasoline engine is the primary source of power and the electric motor, positioned in-line between the engine and transmission, provides additional power and electricity regeneration capability.

The 2012 Civic Hybrid uses a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine, up from 1.3 liters for improved mid-range torque, which incorporates extensive friction-reducing technologies for greater efficiency. It is connected to a lighter, larger and more powerful electric motor that provides up to 23 horsepower. Total combined horsepower for the gasoline engine and electric motor is 110 at 5500 rpm and torque is rated at 127 lb-ft. at 1000-3500 rpm.

During acceleration, the engine or the engine and electric motor together propel the vehicle. During cruising, the gasoline engine and/or the electric motor can propel the vehicle. During braking, the gasoline engine deactivates and the electric motor acts as a generator to replenish the battery pack. At a stop, the engine can shut off to save fuel and reduce emissions. The engine restarts the moment the brake pedal is released.

The battery pack, located behind the rear seatback, is used to capture and store electricity for the electric motor. The 20-kW lithium-ion battery is more powerful by 5 kW and lighter than the previous generation's battery. The IMA system's greater power and the battery's 35-percent increase in efficiency allow the Civic Hybrid to operate more frequently on the electric motor's power alone in certain low-speed cruising situations. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) helps maintain engine rpm for optimal efficiency while eliminating the "stepped" gear transitions associated with conventional transmissions.

Along with the rest of 2012 Civic line, the Civic Hybrid offers a new interpretation of the current Civic's "one-motion" mono-form shape. A sleekly raked windshield, wide stance and exclusive styling features give the Civic Hybrid a sophisticated, high-tech presence. In front, there is a unique hybrid grille design with blue accents, and within the sleek headlight assemblies are blue bulb covers that provide additional distinction. Special five-spoke alloy wheels, a decklid spoiler and LED brake lights further differentiate the Civic Hybrid from other Civic models.

The Civic Hybrid's interior features a fresh take on the previous-generation Civic's highly functional two-tier instrument layout. The design puts the most frequently referenced information up high and close to the driver's line of sight. The new intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) is positioned in the upper tier and can present audio system information including album artwork. It can also display personal wallpaper backgrounds uploaded via the standard USB port. A unique feature of the Civic Hybrid's i-MID is a driver-feedback Eco Guide screen that monitors driving style and displays how it affects fuel efficiency. Together with the blue/green Eco Assist indicators located to the sides of the digital speedometer, the displays help drivers build awareness of and confirm fuel-efficient driving styles. The Civic Hybrid's i-MID contains an exclusive hybrid power-flow meter display in addition to the standard information screens.

The interior of the Civic Hybrid uses exclusive seat fabric and unique door panel covers for a distinctive appearance and feel. As with all Civics, high-quality materials are used throughout the cabin. Available leather-trimmed models include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift lever. Automatic climate control is standard on the Civic Hybrid, and the hybrid-style air conditioning compressor can continue to function on electric power when the engine is in idle-stop mode.

The Civic Hybrid offers a range of standard and available audio and navigation technologies. A 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers is standard and Civic Hybrid models equipped with the navigation system include XM Radio. The available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™2 with voice recognition has a 6.5-inch touch screen within reach of both the driver and passenger. Turn-by-turn direction information appears on both the navigation screen and the i-MID, where it's convenient for the driver to see. The system features a new 16 GB flash memory database for quicker response time and has FM traffic. FM traffic is a no-fee service that shows freeway traffic information and incident data on the map display in participating metropolitan areas.

The standard Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® system enables Civic Hybrid owners to make and receive mobile phone calls using the vehicle's audio system and a compatible mobile phone. Audio streaming is also supported with compatible devices.

The Civic Hybrid embraces Honda's tradition of making its vehicles fun to drive by continuing to use a fully independent suspension design, a premium and exceptional feature in the entry compact segment. The front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension is tuned for sporty driving fun, yet provides refined ride comfort. Ride and handling improvements are supported by a 10-percent more rigid unit-body structure resulting from enhanced structural designs and increased use of high-strength steel (55 percent compared to 50 percent on the previous model).

For safety, a wide variety of standard equipment includes Honda's exclusive Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for enhanced frontal collision energy management and vehicle-to-vehicle crash compatibility. ACE enhances frontal collision energy management through a network of load bearing structures in the front of the vehicle. Standard safety equipment includes VSA that integrates with the new Motion Adaptive EPS system; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; front side airbags with occupant position detection system (OPDS); side curtain airbags; and a 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

All Civic Hybrid models are produced and assembled in the Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Suzuka, Japan manufacturing facility. The 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile new car limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion limited warranty.

1 Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2 Third-party trademarks: The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.

Top Four Fuel Efficient Hybrid Vehicles for 2011

The prices of the gas are going up like never before and there is no sign of it slowing down in near future. Does that mean you should panic and go all out to buy a hybrid car? If the prices are nearing to $4 a gallon, people do look out for alternatives and want to get rid of their gas guzzlers. Well, if you are planning to go for a hybrid or electric car then do so for its environmental benefits but not for saving the money on gas prices as it might not save you any of it.

Let us have a look at the top 5 fuel efficient cars in 2011 that you should go for buying not just for money but its environmental benefits.

1. 2011 Toyota Prius 1.8L 4-cyl. Hybrid engine, Automatic
2011 Toyota Prius is going to give you best mileage. According to EPA estimates 2011 prius is going to give you an impressive 51 mpg for city drive, 48 mpg for highway and 50 mpg for combined.

2011 Prius has everything you want in a car from great fuel economy, competitive price, lots of add on features to hatchback utility. The new Prius is better than its previous models where its aerodynamic drag is reduced and looks sleek and sporty. The new version gives more power and better fuel economy in addition to better suspension and improved steering. Look out for the plug in version for the car in near future as Toyota is facing tough competition from Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, the best future competitor for Prius.

2. 2011 Lexus CT 200h
As per the estimates by EPA 2011 Lexus CT 200h is going to give 43 mpg for city drive, 42 mpg for highway and 40 mpg for combined.

2011 Lexus CT 200h has more to offer then just better fuel efficiency. The car has 1.8 L 4 cylinder engine, with 650V electric motor system which together gives 134 HP. The car is stylish and is fun to drive with lots of refinements. In addition you would get good and comfortable seats, a very impressive cargo space and a versatile layout.

3. 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid
As per the estimates by EPA 2011 Lexus CT 200h is going to give 40 mpg for city drive, 43 mpg for highway and 41 mpg for combined.

2011 Honda Civic Hybrid is very similar to Toyota Prius when it comes to looks and mechanically very similar to Honda Civic Sedan. In spite of its similarity the very efficient Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system works great in boosting its fuel economy to impressive levels. The car has 1.3 L, 4 cylinder engine which gives 93HP which is assisted by 20HP electric motor and a pack of batteries located in the rear of the car.

4. 2011 Honda Insight Hybrid
According to EPA estimates 2011 Honda Insight is going to give you an impressive 40 mpg for city drive, 41 mpg for highway and 43 mpg for combined.

2011 Honda Insight Hybrid is a mix of Honda Fit’s front end, Honda Civic Hybrid’s Integrated Motor Assist which makes it a mild hybrid car. It has 1.3 L, 4 cylinder VTEC engine assisted by electric motor system. Together they make 98HP which gives 123 pound-feet of torque.

Source: Newcarpark

All-New 2012 Honda Civic Emphasizes Style, Fuel Economy and Performance Two models offer 40+ mpg

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

PRESS RELEASE

Featuring the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic is designed to even better meet the diverse needs of the compact-vehicle buyer when it launches this spring. The entire redesigned ninth-generation Civic lineup will become more fuel efficient with two models – the all-new Civic HF and the Civic Hybrid – each delivering fuel economy estimates of more than 40 mpg on the highway.

Built on the tradition of Honda fuel efficiency, the economical Civic HF model will be the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only powered Civic in the lineup when it launches this spring. Equipped with a 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the Civic HF is targeted to earn EPA-estimated fuel economy1 of 41 mpg on the highway. The 2012 Civic Hybrid, which will be outfitted for the first time with a lithium-ion battery and a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated city/highway combined fuel economy1 of 45 mpg, an improvement of 4 mpg compared to the current Civic Hybrid. Both the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models will be equipped with aerodynamic components for improved efficiency and Honda ECO Assist™ technology, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback to promote more efficient individual driving styles.

"The Civic is the only model in the industry that can deliver on all fronts – fuel economy, sporty performance, smart packaging, alternative fuel and long-term value," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda Motor Co.,Inc. "For the ninth-generation Civic, we are emphasizing improved fuel economy across the board, from the hybrid sedan to the sporty Si model."

In addition to the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models, the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic GX Natural Gas models are also estimated to achieve improved fuel economy compared to the current models. The Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy2 of 39 mpg on the highway, an improvement of 3 mpg when compared to the current model. The Civic Natural Gas vehicle is anticipated to earn a 7 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the current model. The Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic Natural Gas models will all be equipped with the Honda ECO Assist technology.

Along with improved fuel economy, the new Civic lineup also delivers more performance, particularly with the Civic Si. The Civic Si sedan and coupe models will be equipped with a larger, more powerful 2.4-liter engine as well as a new 6-speed manual transmission. The new engine is anticipated to deliver 200 horsepower with 170 ft-lb of torque. Even with the larger engine and a 22 percent increase in torque, Civic Si is targeted to achieve an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy1 of 31 mpg; an increase of 2 mpg when compared to the current model.

The 2012 Civic lineup includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, a new "HF" high fuel economy version, two sporty "Si" performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant.
Additional information on the new 2012 Civic will be announced closer to the on-sale date. For more information on the current Civic and other Honda models, please visit www.hondanews.com.

Civic HF, Sedan, Coupe and Natural Gas Specifications

* 140 horsepower, 1.8-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine
* 5-speed automatic transmission
* ECO Assist technology
* EPA-estimated Civic HF highway fuel economy: 41 mpg
* EPA-estimated Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe highway fuel economy: 39 mpg

Civic Hybrid Specifications

* 110 horsepower, 1.5-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine (combined gasoline + electric)
* Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
* Lithium-ion battery
* ECO Assist technology
* EPA-estimated Civic Hybrid city/highway combined fuel economy: 45 mpg

Civic Si Specifications

* 200 horsepower and 170 lb-ft, 2.4-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine
* 6-speed manual transmission
* EPA-estimated Civic Si highway fuel economy: 31 mpg

1Preliminary EPA mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.