2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released

vtec.net, egmcartech.com -> autoexpress.co.uk :

Work is underway on the next-generation 2010 Honda Civic and AutoExpress has some new details. The next-generation 2010 Honda Civic will take major design cues from the Open Study Model Concept that made its debut at the London Motor Show. Sources have revealed that the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid will have a 1.5L IMA hybrid engine powered by lithium-ion batteries with more than 150bhp and sub-120g/km CO2 emissions. Over the next five years, Honda plans to power all four-cylinder cars using either petrol hybrids with lithium-ion batteries or i-CTDi diesels. A new Civic Type R is also in the works which will be powered by a 2.0 liter i-VTEC engine that could also get Honda's new 4-cylinder hybrid electric-motor currently in development. Honda is currently restructuring manufacturing facilities to cater for large-scale hybrid production.

- I had been tracking the current generation of the Honda Civic since way before it was released, and now it is time to start tracking the next generation. Just like the last time round, the preliminary photos are for the hatchback version. It is interesting to see how the design has evolved since then, with a sharper-looking front end and a very sporty look overall. No hints on the sedan version yet, and it is now stated up-front that they will continue with the practice of having two entirely different sets of styling for the hatchback and sedan versions.

For the driver's console it looks like they are retaining the Star-Trek style digital speedometer and digital readouts. Now I'm no Trekkie, but it is an excellent and practical design and I should know, having driven both the FD4 1.6L conventional version and now I'm on the FD3 hybrid version. Regular Honda followers will know that the real reason for the two-tier instrument console is the steeply-raked front windscreen and it looks like they are retaining this style as well. The part that is changed seems to be the radio/CD readouts which are now seamlessly integrated into the main console, wraparound style, further accentuating the high-tech, sci-fi look. At this point we can't be too sure if this concept console is the look will make it into production but if some of the elements do make it in, it should be pretty cool.

Okay, so I have gushed two paragraphs on the design and styling and I have not even talked about the even more exciting technological aspects. A lithium-ion powered Civic Hybrid, finally. Finally!! And with the long-rumoured 1.5L IMA drivetrain generating over 150bhp. I can tell you for sure, this 1.5L/150bhp/li-ion speculation has been making the rounds in the Honda fan community literally for years! And it is really exciting to know that there is finally some substance to them. Together with the unique characteristics of the electric motor, such a combination will beat the 1.8L conventional version, and could even conceivably give the current 2.0L a good run for its money.

It is no wonder that Honda is said to be considering putting the hybrid drivetrain into the 2010 Honda Civic Type R : with the next-generation hybrid version already going to 150bhp, the high-end Type R "trophy version" will need all the help it can get! Which brings us to the next point that could easily have been overlooked amidst all the ooh-aah's of the photo releases : Honda is now stating that they will go all-out lithium-ion hybrid or clean diesel within the next 5 years. That's good, and it will further boost Honda's already considerable green credentials.

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