The last few weeks has been abuzz with a slew of launches in the auto industry in India. Two themes have clearly emerged as the next wave—lower price and eco-friendliness. The answer to eco-friendliness has been pretty dominated by the hybrid vehicles displayed at the Auto Expo, New Delhi, this year by many players. Following this, of course, have been a barrage of articles on why hybrids is ‘the technology’ for India and its impact has been discussed and debated in various forums. This effort is to assess the potential economic and environmental impact of hybrids and whether this could well be just another bright spot among the numerous efforts in this direction.
Hybrid vehicles run on electricity and another fuel, which could be petrol, diesel or bio-fuel. The car owner has the option to drive the car using either electricity or petrol and can easily switch from one to another. These vehicles help reduce emissions by generating power from an electric motor, burning less fuel for each mile travelled.
With rising concerns about environmental pollution and global warming, everyone is trying to do their bit towards correcting the same. Honda Motor Co, with the launch of their Civic Hybrid, had contributed their bit too. Now, the company has launched the vehicle in the Indian market too. On 18th June 2008, Japanese car maker Honda Motor Co unveiled its first hybrid vehicle in India, when it launched its sedan Civic, already available in 32 other countries of the world. Honda Civic Hybrid has been equipped with both a petrol engine and an electric battery.
Honda Civic Hybrid The car will be imported in India, as a completely built unit (CBU), at the import duty of 104 per cent. This is the reason why its launch price will be a steep Rs 21.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The CBU will be imported from Japan, where the hybrid car is being produced for the entire global market. As per Mr Masahiro Takedagawa, President and CEO – Honda Siel Cars India, the company is exploring the option of import the engine and components to India and then assembling the car, as a semi-knocked down unit.
If the company is able to establish that in the near future, the cost of the car will come down significantly, since a semi-knocked down attracts much less duty. According to the officials of Honda Motor Co, the main aim behind the launch of the hybrid car in India is not the generation of high volumes. Rather, the company wants to let people be aware of its technology and commitment to the environment. The company has already imported 130 cars in India and expects the sales to reach around 300 during the year.
As far as the possibility of making Civic Hybrid in India is concerned, Mr Masahiro Takedagawa has ruled out the same. The reason for this was cited as technical constraints, which do not allow the car to be made anywhere in the world, except Japan. Honda Civic Hybrid will be offered with a 1.3 liter petrol engine. The engine and the motor will function together, right from the time of the start of the car to acceleration. However, once the car reached a high speed, it will automatically go on engine.
In the case where the car seems to be idling, usually being driven at 40-50 km per hour, the petrol engine will automatically stop working. The car will, rather, starts operating on battery on its own, thereby leading to saving of fuel as well as maximum fuel efficiency. According to the company officials, the fuel efficiency of Honda Civic Hybrid is somewhere around 19 km per liter. This is quite higher compared to petrol-based model of Honda Civic, which gives a mileage of around 15 km per liter.
Technical Specifications
Engineering
Engine Type
In-Line 4-Cylinder
Engine Block/Cylinder Head
Aluminum-Alloy
Displacement (cc)
1339
Horsepower @ rpm
110 @ 6000
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm)
123 @ 1000-2500
Redline (rpm)
6300
Bore and Stroke (mm)
73 x 80
Compression Ratio
10.8:1
Valve Train
8-Valve SOHC i-VTEC®
Multi-Point Fuel Injection
Standard
Drive-by-Wire™ Throttle System
Standard
Front-Wheel Drive
Standard
CARB Emissions Rating
AT-PZEV
Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer
Standard
Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System
Standard
100K +/- Miles No Scheduled Tune-Ups*
Standard
Electric Motor / Generator
Permanent Magnet Motor
Standard
Power Output
20 hp / 76 lb.-ft.
Motor Width (mm)
70
Electric Power Storage
Hybrid
Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) Battery
Standard
Output (Volts)
158
Rated Capacity
5.5 Ah
Transmissions
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Standard
Body/Suspension/Chassis
Unit-Body Construction
Standard
MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
Standard
Multi-Link Rear Suspension
Standard
Stabilizer Bar (mm., front/rear)
24.2 / 12.0
Steering Wheel Turns, Lock-to-Lock
2.71
Steering Ratio
13.52
Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft.)
34.8
Wheels
15″ Lightweight Alloys
All-Season Tires
P195 / 65 R15 89S
Compact Spare Tire
Standard
Exterior Measurements
Wheelbase (in.)
106.3
Length (in.)
176.7
Height (in.)
56.3
Width (in.)
69
Track (in., front/rear)
59.1 / 60.2
Interior Measurements
Cargo Volume (cu. ft.)
10.4
Passenger Volume (cu. ft.)
90.9
Seating Capacity
5
Epa Mileage Estimates/Capacities†
CVT (City/Highway)
40/45 (mpg) or 16.94/19.23 (km/l)
Crankcase (qt.)
4
Fuel (gal.)
12.3
Required Fuel
Regular Unleaded
Other Features
Idle-stop feature
Yes
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™** with Voice Recognition
Yes
160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System with 6 Speakers††
Yes
Average Fuel Consumption Indicator
Yes
Hybrid technology featuring Integrated Motor Assist IMA®
Yes
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