The lightweight, low-friction, 4-cylinder engine in the Civic Hybrid features torque-enhancing i-VTEC® and a dual-point sequential ignition system that fires two spark plugs per cylinder.
The engine is mated to a powerful DC electric motor that's less than 2.5" wide. Power for the motor is stored in an 8"-thick battery pack behind the rear seat, which leaves plenty of room in the trunk.
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The IMA™ electric motor works in conjunction with the gasoline engine, and supplies additional torque in assist mode. The motor's ultra-thin design allows it to be mounted between the engine and the transmission. The motor also functions as the generator for the IMA System during deceleration, and as a starter, quickly spinning the engine up to idle speed.
IMA couples a 1.3-liter, 8-valve, i-VTEC® 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor. Although the engine alone provides sufficient driving performance, when additional power is required, a permanent-magnet electric motor mounted between the engine and transmission provides power assist. For 2006, the electric motor can propel the car from a stop to speeds up to 35 mph. Together, the motor and engine produce 110 hp @ 6000 rpm, an increase of 17 hp over the previous generation.
Every 2006 Civic Hybrid is equipped with a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Similar to an automatic transmission, CVT is an advanced transmission that substitutes the gears found in more traditional transmissions and replaces them with a metal push-belt running between a pair of variable-width pulleys. Combined with the Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system, the CVT constantly adjusts to provide the most efficient drive ratio possible depending on torque load. Honda CVTs provide better fuel economy and acceleration when compared to a conventional transmission. For 2006, the CVT received many upgrades resulting in friction reduction and increased torque capacity.
The Civic Hybrid features a highly efficient, 1.3-liter, 8-valve, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and DC brushless electric motor that are designed to coexist with the environment in a very friendly way.
To achieve Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) status, a vehicle must be a Super-Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle (SULEV) with zero-evaporative emissions. Every 2006 Civic Hybrid has a new plastic-resin fuel tank that does not produce any evaporative emissions.
The Civic Hybrid is equipped with an "idle-stop" feature that temporarily turns off the engine to save fuel and minimize emissions. A green auto-stop light on the instrument display flashes to indicate when the idle-stop feature is operating. As the Hybrid comes to a stop, the idle-stop occurs automatically. Engine restarting occurs automatically, as soon as the brake pedal is released.
