|
|
|
|
 |
| article details |
| Author |
Shawn Church |
| Categories |
TOV Road Test, Civic, Gasoline/Electric Hybrid |
| Create Date |
January 08, 2003 16:47 |
| Last Update |
July 18, 2004 17:54 |
|
Introduction
|
The onset of Honda's IMA technology has certainly garnered interest among Hondaphiles as well as automotive technology enthusiasts, but its application in the rather specialized Insight barely raised public awareness of the technology. However, the introduction of the Civic Hybrid could change all that - or maybe not?
The Civic Hybrid is a nice looking car. In fact, I'd argue its the best looking of the factory Civics, except perhaps for the Coupe with the FP package. Something about the subtle body changes and the alloy wheels say "upscale" to my eye. And interior wise the fitment is beautiful for an economy car. Two tone tan and black trimmings of a high quality appearance and texture permeate the interior. Its a quiet car too, hardly making a noise at idle and a refined purr as you accelerate in daily driving. At higher speeds windnoise is subdued and tire noise remains distant. Is this really a Civic?
"But what about the IMA stuff?" you ask. Well, to be honest, its almost transparent. If the dash didn't have the charge/assist indicator and a separate battery charge gauge, you'd think it was just a slightly slower than normal Civic Sedan. Seriously, its that transparent. Which is why I question whether or not this car will bring up the level of awareness of IMA amongst the general car buying public. Honda has so seamlessly integrated the gas/electric technology that they could put it in every Civic, not tell anyone, and most people simply couldn't tell the difference. That's good, in that new technologies should offer benefits without overt compromises. Its bad, in that this technology should be a great marketing tool for Honda, but they're going to have to hype it, because it can't sell itself if no one knows its there.
Stay tuned as we do some serious freeway driving, check the handling and even put the car on the dyno.
[Next Page]
|
| reader's comments
|
 |
[fancy]
[flat]
[simple]
|
|
|
|
|
![[home]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/home.gif){kind=small}
![[rumors and news]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/rumors.gif){kind=small}
![[model release matrix]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/newmodelreleasematrix.gif){kind=small}
![[tov motorsports]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/tov-m.gif){kind=small}
![[desktop calendar]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/calendar.gif){kind=small}
![[exhaust notes]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/exhaust.gif){kind=small}
![[tov forums]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/forums.gif){kind=small}
![[links]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/links.gif){kind=small}
![[search]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/search.gif){kind=small}
![[sponsors]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/sponsors.gif){kind=small}
![[garage]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/garage.gif){kind=small}
![[login]](https://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/login.gif){kind=small}
