Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid gets a Full Compliment of Interior and Exterior Enhancements

Torrance, Calif. 10/06/2003 -- The Honda Civic Hybrid, the first mainstream vehicle sold in North America equipped with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, now includes improved standard equipment, and new front and rear styling for 2004.

In addition, 2004 Civic Hybrids sold in Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and New York will meet the same stringent Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards as models sold in California, making the Civic Hybrid the first AT-PZEV vehicle sold outside of California.

Like the 2004 Civic Sedan, the Civic Hybrid sports an aggressive new appearance. Contributing to the sleeker, more aggressive look are new front and rear fascias, hood, front grille and headlights. A rich Magnesium Metallic exterior color and new gray interior color are also available on 2004 models.

Improved content is also evident just about everywhere you look inside. Added features for 2004 include adjustable rear outboard headrests, a console with armrest and storage, manual driver's seat adjustment, improved audio system speakers and a new seat fabric pattern. Additionally, floor mats are now included as standard on all models.

The Civic Hybrid's amazing fuel economy remains unchanged for the 2004 model year. The Hybrid CVT earns an EPA city/highway rating of 48/47 mpg, while models equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission achieves a city/highway rating of 46/51 mpg. Both models have a range of more than 600 miles.

A version of the Civic Hybrid is also available as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) in California and some northeastern states. The AT-PZEV-rated Hybrid CVT receives an EPA city/highway rating of 47/48 mpg and the 5-speed manual transmission earns 45/51 mpg.

The Civic Hybrid uses Honda's innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system, employing a 1.3-liter i-DSI 4-cylinder gasoline engine coupled with an integrated high-output electric motor/generator to provide excellent performance and fuel efficiency. The system's compact nickel metal hydride battery module is automatically recharged during braking and deceleration.

Further improving efficiency are an "idle stop" system that shuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, and a cylinder idling system that temporarily shuts off three of the engine's four cylinders when the vehicle is slowing or coasting. This leads to reduced engine pumping losses and improved regenerative braking efficiency.

The Civic Hybrid's IMA powertrain provides up to 93 horsepower and 116 lb-ft of torque with the electric motor "assist." Fuel economy is improved by nearly 44 percent compared to a Civic LX Sedan. The Civic Hybrid is also the first hybrid vehicle to meet California's stringent AT-PZEV standards.

The Civic Hybrid comes equipped with a long list of standard features including power windows, door locks and mirrors; cruise control; Immobilizer anti-theft device; dual stage, dual-threshold driver and front passenger air bags; and a tilt steering wheel.

Standard features unique to the 2004 Civic Hybrid include:

Second generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid powertrain
Four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution
Standard side air bags
Alloy wheels
AM/FM/CD player
Automatic climate control air conditioning
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Digital and analog instrument gauge cluster with IMA system display, daytime and nighttime mode, and vehicle system performance meters
Upgraded interior with open head front restraints
The Civic Hybrid is Honda's second hybrid model, following the introduction in December 1999 of the two-passenger Insight, the first hybrid sold in America and the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the United States.