gsolman

Maybe this was posted before, but................

http://world.honda.com/HDTV/news/200...05b/index.html

I think this goes to show that there is still a lot of room for improvement in hybrid technology and that we can get more power and mpg gains at the same time.

I heard elsewhere that it would be rated 50/50.

Does anybody know if the Civic hybrid uses an Atkinson cycle engine like the Prius?

marthafokker

Yup. That is confirmed.

The main things different mainly are that the Civic's electric motor does not have enough power to pull the car from a stop. And the tranny design of course.

Other than that, the cyclinders will shutoff (via no gas/spark) during coasting if not needed... like the Prius. That is where the extra 5% gas saving is coming from.

Lice Locket

The video is old, but still interesting.

On a 2,500 mile test, from Businessweek, the 06 Civic Hybrid got much higher fuel economy than the Prius with more space and more power.

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/conte...0901_977188.htm

steven975

the civic's electric motor is still tied to the gas motor, but in this generation can be the sole means of motivation if needed. The Prius uses a planetary gearset; the engine and elec motor are separate units.

both have advantages. the prius motor is bigger and stronger. the civic motor is <2" thick and thus is easier to package and the drivetrain as a whole looks to be cheaper to make.