Honda Motors India has launched India’s first hybrid car, the Honda Civic in New Delhi today. The car comes as a compeletely built unit (CBU) and hence costs a hefty Rs. 21.5 Lakhs Ex-Showroom Delhi, almost twice the price of the normal version.

The car is powered by a 1.3 litre petrol engine in combination with an electric motor. India becomes the 33rd country where Honda has launched its Civic hybrid.

“This is yet another step to strengthen Honda’s presence in India in line with our long term goal of bringing eco friendly vehicles,” Honda CL’s car India President and CEO Masahiro Takedawa said here.

Jump over to read full details of the car.

 

The 1.3 litre SOHC 3-Stage iVtec engine generates 93 bhp @ 6000 rpm and maximum 121.5 Nm of torque @ 4600 rpm combined with a 16 bhp permanent magnet assist motor with a maximum 103 Nm of torque @ 1160 rpm, which also functions as a generator while braking to charge the batteries (Regenerative Braking). The car also comes with a CVT, electronic power steering and low rolling resistence tyres. The VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) permits deactivation of all four cylinders when decelerating and constant cruising allowing the car to run only on electric power.

The car comes with idle stop technology that turn off the engine temporarily resulting in fuel savings and minimising emissions. The idle stop technology comes into play as soon as you brake and the engine restarts as soon as the brake pedal is released. The car also comes with drive by wire technology which eliminates the need of mechanical linkage from accelerator pedal to fuel injection throttle allowing electronic control.

Click the thumbnail below to see the hybrid’s graphical operation graph. 

The exteriors feature an aerodynamic trunk spoiler and lightweight aluminium hybrid specificaition alloy wheels.

The car as of now is only available with one color option: Premium pearl white

The 1.3 engine in the Civic hybrid won the International engine of the year in its catagory “1 litre to 1.4 litre” for three straight years 2002-2004 as well as the “Best Fuel Economy” catagory for the year 2003 and 2004.

Lets see how our very own Bollywood brigade reponds to this…. will they go the Hollywood way…. well your guess is as good as mine.

Full Technical Specifications:

Engine

Type: SOHC iVTEC + IMA (Integrated Motor Assist)
Displacement: 1339 CC
Maximum Power: 95 PS @ 6000 RPM
Max. 30 min Power Electric Motor: 16 Bhp
Maximum Torque (Engine): 121.5 Nm @ 4600 rpm
Maximum Torque (Motor): 103 Nm @ 1160 rpm

Transmission: (Automatic) CVT

Braking System: Regenerative Braking with ABS, Ventilated Discs upfront, Discs at the rear

Dimensions & Weight

Overall Length: 4545 mm
Overall Width: 1750 mm
Overall Height: 1450 mm
Wheelbase: 2700 mm
Tread (front/rear): 1495/1520 mm
Ground Clearance: 165 mm
Kerb Weight: 1290 Kgs
Turning Radius: 5.4 Meters
Wheel and Tyre Size: 15 inch 195/65 R15 Tubeless, Low rolling resistence
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 Litres