24 April 2012
New car report: Civic recharged
The green market continues to grow with significantly more options now available for those looking for a fuel sipper. Honda’s 2012 IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) Civic is one of a growing number.
Honda’s new Civic doesn’t have the freshest look, but it certainly has the Honda brand equity and eco-friendly appeal that many look for in a vehicle. The designers have taken a conservative approach with subtle changes to the already popular model.
The 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC petrol engine has been robbed from the Jazz Sport and CRZ, supplemented by an additional 20kW of power from a brushless electric motor. Combined they deliver 82kW of power and 176Nm of torque, driving the front wheels through a CVT transmission.
The 9th generation Civic’s IMA system operates at its best on the open roads where the combined petrol and electric motors combine to produce optimum fuel efficiency. In town driving, the stop/start technology assists with reducing fuel consumption, and we found at times it anticipated our next move and switched the engine off while slowing to a standstill, thus saving more fuel.
The lithium ion battery replaces the previous model’s nickel-metal hydride electric power source and allows for increased storage capacity and benefits from weight reduction. Combining with the stop/start system, a flat under-floor construction, aerodynamic wheel rims and low rolling resistance tyres all assist with improving fuel economy.
Unlike Toyota’s hybrid system which allows an electric only mode, Honda’s IMA system is designed for the petrol and electric motor to work in tandem, so there is no option to use the Civic IMA in a 100 percent zero emission electric vehicle mode.
For better or worse
At a glance the new Civic can easily be mistaken for the outgoing model, however the windshield angle has increased and the overall length and wheel base have decreased slightly, surprisingly the interior has increased volume by 4.3% with shoulder room gaining 75mm and rear leg room 25mm.
Civic has been awarded the 5 star ANCAP safety rating and comes standard with (VSA) vehicle stability assist which includes Honda’s motion adaptive electric power steering (MA-EPS), ABS, EBD and EBA. Other safety features include 3 point seatbelts for all seats and load limiters and automatic tensioners for the front seatbelts. ISOFIX/LATCH lower anchorages are present on the outboard locations of the rear seats.
The radio comes standard with USB, Aux connection and Bluetooth hands free phone interface.
On the road, the numb electric steering requires some necessary corrections at highway speeds and NVH levels are reduced but still noticeable. MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, both aided with stabiliser bars, add to the Civic IMA’s comfortable ride quality, but it is found wanting in the corners.
Honda continues with the unique two tier dashboard styling, the analog rev counter below the digital speedometer and multi information display. All the steering and dashboard switches are in easy reach of the driver and make for a cosy cockpit experience.
Efficient on the open roads
Depending on your driving style the bars on either side of the speedo change colour, blue when accelerating hard and green when driving efficiently. It helps coach you to drive in a fuel saving manner, gaining leaves for your efforts which are displayed at the end of each drive.
When using Econ mode the throttle response is desensitised to assist with fuel saving. Driving with economy in mind, Honda claim fuel consumption of 4.4L /100km and 104g/km CO2 emissions.
The hybrid can easily be mistaken for the conventional models; there are a few signs that give its eco friendly nature away. The IMA model can be distinguished by the ducktail boot spoiler, blue accent on the front body coloured grille, blue accent headlight bulb covers, 15 inch alloy wheels, IMA Boost sticker and roof mounted antenna.
Despite the 9th generation Civic appearing more like a buttered up generation 8 model, the new model offers a good package of safety, fuel efficiency, specification and Honda’s reliability.
The IMA S retails for $43,550 and the IMA Sport retails for $46,000.