« Green Car Rental - Be Green and Save Green | Home | Japan’s Honda Motor to start selling hybrid cars in China »
All about the Honda Civic Hybrid
When many people think hybrid cars, they think of Toyota. Though Honda brought hybrid technology to mainstream America with the innovative Honda Insight, Toyota’s Prius has been the poster child of the hybrid car segment for several years. With the Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda aims squarely at the Toyota Prius and delivers.
There are several approaches to designing and manufacturing a hybrid car. One option is to start with a clean sheet of paper and design every aspect of the car to work towards the hybrid’s goals of low emissions and high fuel mileage. This was the approach taken by the revolutionary Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. Alternately, designers may choose to take an existing model and “hybridize” it by fitting electric motors, batteries and computers. Honda has chosen this approach for the Honda Civic Hybrid. In fact, a strong point of the Honda Civic Hybrid for many is that, with the exception of a few gauges, the car is very similar to a standard Honda Civic, one of the best-selling compact cars in America.
On the Honda Civic Hybrid, a powerful electric motor pairs with the 1.3 liter inline four-cylinder found in the standard Honda Civic. This results in a peak power output of 110 horsepower. The gasoline and electric motor feeds into a continuously variable transmission. This transmission automatically determines the best gear ratio possible and alters that ratio seamlessly across the entire range of speeds. This means the driver will never again feel another upshift or downshift. This combination keeps the Honda Civic Hybrid on par with most 4-cylinder compact sedans in terms of performance while maintaining fuel mileages in the low 50’s.
As with many hybrids, the Honda Civic Hybrid’s gasoline engine will turn off when the vehicle comes to a stop. The car’s accessories are electrically driven from the battery in lieu of driving directly off the engine. Have no fear, even when the engine comes to a stop at a four way light on a 90-degree day, the air-conditioning will keep you cool, calm and collected.
This green power and comfort does not come at the expense of safety, of course. Front, side and head curtain airbags are all included on the Honda Civic Hybrid. Anti-lock brakes are also standard.
An interesting, and beneficial offshoot of the Honda Civic Hybrid’s popularity is its acceptance into rental fleets nationwide. Whether carting the family around the sunny beaches of Florida, rolling down the Las Vegas strip with the guys or enjoying a romantic weekend in California wine country, renting a Honda Civic Hybrid on your next business or pleasure trip means you can ride in comfort, style and safety with the knowledge that you’re doing your part to reduce emissions.
For small business owners and vacationers alike renting a Honda Civic Hybrid results in reduced expenses for fuel. This can really add up on long vacations or business trips, especially if there will be a lot of traveling around the destination. If your travels will be taking you to California, hybrid rentals offer another benefit, especially in traffic jam-prone cities. In California, hybrid vehicles are eligible for the carpool lane, regardless of number of occupants.
Topics: Honda Civic Hybrid |