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Automobile October
18 , 2001 |
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| Honda to Unveil the New Civic Hybrid (to be made commercially available soon) at the 35th Tokyo Motor Show |
Tokyo, October 18, 2001 ---
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will display the new Civic Hybrid
(to be made commercially available soon) at the 35th Annual Tokyo Motor
Show, opening October 26th at Makuhari Messe. The Civic Hybrid is equipped
with the new Honda IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) System, which incorporates
technical advances to further improve the efficiency of the IMA System,
a unique hybrid system that significantly contributes to higher fuel efficiency.
The Civic Hybrid achieves outstanding fuel economy of 29.5km/l*1
--- the highest in the world for a 5-seater gasoline-powered
production vehicle --- while providing a luxurious ride. It also employs
the same sophisticated packaging technology as the Civic FERIO model on
which it is based, making it a very practical and comfortable sedan.
Its state-of-the-art 1.3-liter i-DSI*2 engine
incorporates lean-burn combustion technology, along with the VTEC Cylinder
Cut-off System that adapts Honda's VTEC variable valve control technology
to significantly increase the amount of electrical energy recovered during
deceleration.
Other technological advances provide increases in both motor assist system
performance and Power Control Unit (PCU) efficiency. Combined with the Honda
Multimatic S continuously variable automatic transmission, this new system
achieves a combination of excellent drivability and superb mileage. It also
runs so cleanly that it is recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure
and Transport as an Ultra Low-Emissions Vehicle. Honda plans to release
the new Civic Hybrid for sale in mid-December of this year.
| *1 |
Figure based on in-house measurements (10-15 mode). |
| *2 |
DSI: Dual & Sequential Ignition |
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| Civic Hybrid (commercially available soon) |
New Civic Hybrid ---
Main Features
New Honda IMA System
The new IMA System employs
a gasoline engine as its main power source, assisted by an electric motor
as the need arises. It offers improved efficiency over the previous IMA
System on which its design is based. The Insight, which was equipped with
the previous IMA system, boasted the highest fuel economy in the world
for a production vehicle.
During acceleration and other times of heavy engine load, the motor assist
system contributes considerable torque, resulting in both lower fuel consumption
and powerful acceleration. At cruising speeds, when engine load is lower,
the motor assist system shuts down. The newly developed 1.3-liter i-DSI
lean-burn engine achieves the highest standard of fuel economy in the
world.
During deceleration, the motor converts the dissipated energy into electricity
(regenerative braking). The newly developed VTEC Cylinder Cut-off System
reduces engine friction during deceleration --- formerly a problem with
regenerative braking --- greatly improving the vehicle's electrical regenerative
efficiency.
When stopping, at traffic lights for example, the engine shuts off automatically,
then restarts immediately when the driver steps on the accelerator pedal.
This automatic idle-stop system contributes to both greater fuel efficiency
and lower emissions.
1.3-liter i-DSI Engine
with VTEC Cylinder Cut-off System
The 1.3-liter i-DSI engine's
configuration of two spark plugs per cylinder allows the fuel-air mixture
to be made even leaner, for improved fuel economy.
The rocker arms that open and close the intake and exhaust valves are
configured for dual operation in either valve-lift mode or idle mode.
Normally, they are engaged via a synchronizing piston. During deceleration,
the synchro piston is positioned inside the idle-mode rocker arm, disengaging
the lift-mode rocker arm so that the valve remains at rest, effectively
sealing off the cylinder. Three of the four cylinders can be shut down,
achieving 50% lower engine friction during deceleration than the present
IMA System.
Also featured are both a high-density, 900-cell three-stage catalytic
converter and a lean burn-compatible absorption-type NOx catalytic converter.
The result is a clean-burning engine that meets exhaust-gas emissions
standards for ultra-low emissions vehicles set by the Japanese Ministry
of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
New Motor Assist
System
The motor assist system is composed
of an ultra-thin DC brushless motor, a nickel metal hydride battery, and
a Power Control Unit (PCU). The new system employs a higher-output motor,
a more efficient battery, and a lighter, more compact PCU, resulting in
greater packaging freedom.
Improvements to the internal magnetic coils of the ultra-thin DC brushless
motor, which boasts the world's highest output density and practical efficiency,
achieve 30% greater assisting and regenerative torque than the previous
model --- without an increase in size. A sintering diffusion bonding process
is used to firmly fuse different metals together, allowing the most appropriate
materials to be used in construction of the rotor to meet the different
demand criteria for its inner section, which transmits torque, and for its
outer section, which is in contact with the magnetic coils. Strengthening
the section that transmits the torque and increasing the magnetic-flux density
results in higher torque output.
The inverter and the pre-driver have been combined, reducing the weight
of the PCU by around 30%, and its volume by around 40%, in comparison
to the present system.
The efficiency of the battery modules has been increased, resulting in
reduced energy loss. The battery's storage box and peripheral equipment
have been made more compact, for an approximate 30% reduction in volume.
The lighter, more compact, more efficient PCU and battery have been integrated
into a single Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) that can be stored behind the
rear seat of a passenger sedan.
Integrating the IPU allows the two cooling circuits previously used to
be combined into one. Total volume of the PCU and battery has been reduced
by around 50%.
Driving Performance
Equipped with the new IMA System,
the Civic Hybrid delivers a precise, stable driving feel at all speeds.
Exterior Design
The Civic Hybrid was designed
to achieve smart, aerodynamic styling. A feeling of solidity and power
combines with the aerodynamic form for a leading-edge look.
Packaging / Interior
Design
The lighter, more compact, more
efficient PCU and battery have been combined into a single Intelligent Power
Unit (IPU). The unit can be stored behind the rear seat, allowing Honda's
Global Compact Platform to be employed, for a low, flat floor. The quality
of the car's seat coverings and other interior appointments has been improved,
and the meters combine digital and analog displays to impart an innovative,
sporty feel. All integrate to create a comfortable interior ambience that
speaks of quality and innovation.
Environmental Performance
In addition to the new Honda
IMA System's outstanding fuel economy, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides,
and other pollutants in the exhaust gas have been greatly reduced. In
fact, the Civic Hybrid runs so clean that it is recognized by the Japanese
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as an Ultra Low-Emissions
Vehicle, with emissions of less than 25% * of those allowed under year
2000 emissions regulations.
| * |
Figure based on in-house measurements. |
Safety Performance
Honda's original G-CON (G-force
Control) technology is incorporated to create a new body with a crash
safety design that is among the best in the world, withstanding a 55km/h
full-frontal collision, a 64km/h front offset collision, 55km/h side collision,
and a 50km/h rear collision.
To further improve safety in real-world collisions, Honda has implemented
its own vehicle-to-vehicle collision-testing program with its own independently established
standards*. This collision testing is much more demanding than conventional
tests in which the car is crashed into a fixed barrier. The Civic Hybrid's
safety design meets even our own stringent testing requirements.
The Global Compact Platform's versatile packaging allows high-voltage
electronic equipment to be isolated in a single location, away from the
passenger compartment. This, coupled with a warning system that detects
electrical faults, ensures a high level of safety that guards against
electrical shocks even in the event of a collision.
| * |
Test involves a 50% front offset collision with a 2-ton class vehicle,
both vehicles traveling at 50km/h. |
Main Specifications
(Japanese model) for the New Civic Hybrid (model to be made commercially available)
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Overall length: 4,455mm; |
4,455mm; Overall width: 1,695mm; Overall height:
1,430mm; Wheelbase: 2,620mm |
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Power unit: |
Power unit: (1.3-liter i-DSI engine (lean-burn upgrades
+ VTEC Cylinder Cut-off System)) + Motor Assist System (ultra-thin
DC brushless motor + IPU |
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Transmission |
Honda Multimatic S continuously variable transmission |
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Suspension: |
Front toe-control, link-strut suspension
Rear active-link, double-wishbone suspension |
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Maximum power output: |
63kW (86PS) / 5,700rpm (engine)
10kW/4,000rpm (motor) |
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Maximum torque: |
119N/m (12.1kg/m) / 3,300rpm (engine)
49N/m / 1,000rpm (motor) |
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Fuel efficiency: |
29.5km/l (Best in the world for a 5-seater gasoline-powered production
vehicle-based on in-house measurements, 10-15 mode.) |
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Clean-burning-recognized by the Japanese Ministry of
Land, Infrastructure and Transport as an Ultra Low-Emissions Vehicle,
with emissions of less than 25% of those allowed under year 2000 emissions
regulations |
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Honda's original G-CON (G-force Control) technology incorporated to create a new crash-safe body design that is among the best in the world. |
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Tire size: |
185/70R14 |
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Production facility: |
Suzuka Plant |
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Release date: |
mid-December, 2001 |
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Countries of sale: |
Japan, U.S.A |
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