Ever since the first Honda Civic appeared in 1972, this top selling model has earned a reputation for economical, reliable driving and technical innovation. For example, in 1975 the first generation Civic featured Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) technology that allowed Honda to meet the increasingly stringent emission standards of the day without a catalytic converter.
Honda’s redesigned, ninth generation 2012 Civic continues this innovative tradition with improved fuel economy, alternative fuel and hybrid variants, and an array of high-tech features. They are powered by a choice of engines featuring Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) technology. For the first time, the natural gas Civic GX variant – the only OEM-built, dedicated CNG passenger sedan built in the U.S. – is being sold nationwide. The Civic GX was previously marketed only in California, New York, Utah, and Oklahoma.
Most 2012 Civic models have Honda Eco Assist technology, already available in the Honda CR-Z and Insight hybrids. This is the first application of Eco Assist in gasoline-only powered cars. EcoAssist is a real-time feedback system designed to help drivers develop efficient driving habits When a green ECON button is pressed, the system controls certain vehicle functions to maximize fuel economy.
The Civic Hybrid uses the latest generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) gasoline-electric hybrid system. The big change here is that previous iterations used nickel-metal-hybrid (NiMH) batteries while the new one is powered by lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology, a first for Honda.
Honda has also shown its next-generation plug-in hybrid platform concept featuring a two-motor hybrid system. This system can operate in three modes – all-electric, gasoline-electric hybrid, and a unique engine direct-drive mode. In the concept’s all-electric mode, the vehicle is powered by a 6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and 120 kilowatt electric motor to provide an all-electric range of 10 to 15 miles and a top speed of 62 mph. A 2.0-liter, i-VTEC four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle engine mated to an electric continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) is paired with the electric motor for the hybrid mode. The gasoline engine alone drives the front wheels for efficient high-speed, long-distance cruising in the direct-drive mode.
