HONDA Civic HYBRID | IMA
69My first hybrid car
It all started in March 2004 when I was driving about 2000kms every week for living! Before I had a diesel car and so I decided to change the way I was helping to increase the air pollution, I choose to buy a Honda Civic IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) and it was one of the best choices I ever made!
This is the future for petrol cars (or maybe not) - a conventional petrol engine linked to an electric motor. The battery which is stored out of sight behind the rear seats is charged when you are coasting or braking and fed back to the engine under acceleration, it is essentially free power. It may have a conservative look, but there are many innovations (as well as the engine), such as a natural driving position, spacious interior and clear dash.
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03 04 05 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID IMA BATTERY PACKEV-PH 6R 5R 20B PANASONIC EV ENERGY
Current Bid: $1199.00
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Honda Civic 4 door IMA SE Executive 2003 Promo Car Photo Picture What Car?
Current Bid: $.02
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03 04 05 HONDA CIVIC ELECTRIC ENGINE ( IMA )
Current Bid: $240.00
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ELECTRIC MOTOR HYBRID IMA 03 04 05 2003 2004 2005 HONDA CIVIC
Current Bid: $149.95
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Every time you make a complete stop on a red light or when there is lots of traffic ahead, for example, the motor will switch itself off and when you press down the clutch and engage first gear it will automatically restart itself. This was a little disturbing at first but soon one will get used to it and find it very useful. I found myself feeling contented in queues because I was not emitting unnecessary exhaust fumes.
Today this kind of systems are also seen in other cars and this technology will soon be present in every car.
Around town the Honda Civic IMA drives like any ordinary car, the 5 speed gearbox is light resulting in smooth easy gear changes. The engine is extremely quiet and refined, the urban fuel consumption is equally as impressive returning approximately 4.9 ltr/100kms. The problem sometimes is the extreme consumption of electricity which leads to low battery levels specially in slow traffic where the car can not get enough battery recharge.
Saving the environment does not mean skimping on safety - the Civic IMA features Anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electric Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), front ventilated disc brakes and rear disc brakes as standard. The front and rear spoilers also improve the car's aerodynamics reducing wind noise inside further improving fuel efficiency.
In answer to the main question people have asked about the car - No you do not have to charge the battery overnight by plugging it into the mains. Just fill it with unleaded petrol and the Civic IMA recharges itself on the move when necessary - It as as simple as that. The instrument panel is innovative and informative - and an indicator flashes to advise you when to change up or down a gear for optimum fuel efficiency. There is also a dial which indicates whether the electric motor is charging or assisting the engine which lights up a stunning shade of deep blue.
Honda Civic IMA
Click thumbnail to view full-size
My newest Honda Hybrid
During more than 4 years I went with him to Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Italy in several Euro-trips where he behaved like a modern airplane lol.
After almost 200.000 kms done with it and zero problems I am sure that I have no other choice rather than changing to the new Honda Civic Hybrid!
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I loved the Honda Civic IMA so much that I choose to exchange it for the new Honda Civic Hybrid (March 2008)!
It is true that having an automatic transmission has been a great help for me since I had broken both wrists and consequently, had some difficulty using a manual transmission system.
I still have not made enough km´s (65.000km´s so far) to make a complete review. But I can say that the only feature I dislike in the Civic Hybrid is indeed its gearbox.
I`m not sure if it`s because I prefer manual gears or if it`s because thankfully I no longer need the continuous automatic gears...
Right now I leave you with some photos of my actual drive!
New Honda Civic Hybrid
Awards
The Civic Hybrid's engine won the International Engine of the Year "1 liter to 1.4 liter" size category award for three years straight from 2002 through 2004 as well as the "Best Fuel Economy" category for 2003 and 2004.
It has also won Motor Trend 2006 Car of the Year award, along with the rest of the Civic range.
Honda Civic Hybrid
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Honda : Civic HYBRID NO RESERVE ! HYBRID ONE OWNER CLEAN CARFAX CVT TRANSMISSION ABS A/C AM/FM/CD/MP3
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Honda Civic Hybrid Review
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- Link to the new HONDA CIVIC HYBRID
2011 Honda Civic Hybrid - Official Honda Hybrid car web site.
Honda CIVIC Hybrid Commercial
2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid
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Now that I do not need an automatic transmission anymore I must admit I felt in love by the new Honda Hybrid.
The new CR-Z was designed based on the beautiful old CR-X but this time it has a 1.5 Liter engine with an electric assistance motor.
I did not have the chance to drive it yet but I am sure I will love this car even more. In fact I`m waiting a little longer before I test it... I know for sure that I`ll want one the minute I get out of the test car.
Its 6 speed manual gearbox is something I am looking forward to experiment as I miss the manual transmission from my first Honda Hybrid.
As soon as I make the test drive with the new Honda CR-Z I will give you all my opinions. I am really looking forward to drive and own this beauty!
Conclusion
Let´s hope that in a nearest future all cars perform like this!
CommentsLoading...
Thank you Freegoddies, I´ll register myself!
Cool;)..Also the scenery pics were really great..I live in london,,a concrete jungle and don't get to such fantastic views and it sure looks so peacefull
Ill check out that link now;)
Well done Funride, I wish we had this car in the US. I remember in the early 90s, one of my friend had a Honda Civic manual transmission gave 69 miles per gallon just on petrol with nothing attached. One of the reasons they suggested that they couldn't maintain it because of too many power features inside the car, like power windows, power steering and so on. Your car is nice, thanks for spreading the message. Cheers.
Compu-smart - Thank you, I´m really a fortunate guy cause I live by the Atlantic Ocean with pines all over!
cgull8m - Are you sure!? I thought there was hybrid Hondas in the US like the Accord, perhaps I´m wrong.
Nice ride Man ;-)
Very cool pics, and a cool car. I love Hondas. :)
Nice car, and it's taking you to beautiful places :)
That car, with the kind of driving you do, makes sense. Not like the Toyota Prius, town driving in London, which is given financial encouragement but is in fact a greater polluter and fuel consumer than a diesel Golf under city driving conditions. That's politics for you.
Still learning about hybrid cars. For the first time, I saw one up close yesterday - the Toyota Pruis. It travels 1,000-1100km on a 40 litre tank (so the owner tells me). Utterly amazing!
Great hub!
Smiles and Light
We have a 2005 Toyota Prius and love it. Mileage does vary considerable depending on weather (cold weather hits economy) and type of driving plus driving style. In the summer on a long journey we get 60-63 mpg. In the summer around town it's about 55-58mpg. In winter a long drive reduces to about 55mpg while town driving results in about 51 mpg.
Can't comment on the latest Prius but 1000k (over 600 miles) sounds amazing and almost incredible.
I also cycle, just like funride!
Thank you all for the comments.
When I decided to buy the Honda I also went to try the Toyota but it was much more expensive. And I have to admit that the Honda it´s prettier :D
Because of my wrists problem I have decided to change car and I´m going for the new automatic Honda Hybrid. I´ll update this hub with photos from the new one in a couple weeks ;)
funride -
Thanks for this article. I must confess though... that currently I drive a Cayenne S. Calm down!
I tried tried tried - two years ago. I tested a few hybrids, but could not get past NOT having an engine to 'growl' ( I LOVE that.... ) I had been driving a jag.
After two years... I WANT MY JAG BACK! But I KNOW that I should just go get the Lexus hybrid...
Help! How do I break this addiction for fast and furious AND still be HAPPY with my auto?
My husband has decided that my baby is an albatross - with the gas prices these days... and so we are selling my porsche.
Now, I must once again decide if the 'driving' part of my life -- can be calmed down yet? LOL
Any advice?
tDMg
LdsNana-AskMormon
LOL
Hi Nana ;) thanks for your comment! Well I can understand you and your need for speed/power lol I had my share of speed tickets so I´m now a "domesticated" driver EHEHEH! We all have the responsibility to do everything we can to help our mother earth! Unfortunatly I never try the Lexus hybrid but I believe it´s a great car to drive. Wish you FUN but conscious drives :)
Fun, you better call the police, man! It looks like a little kid scribbled "fun ride" in a black permanent marker on your front license plate on one of those pictures!
Eheheheheheh! There is no problem with that, I no longer have that one lol. Now you try to write with your left hand on Paint! :P
Thanks funride,
I am doing my best to grow-up and be more well-behaved these days:-) My sixteen year old son watches every move I make.
Drats!
tDMg
LdsNana-AskMormon
funride
A Honda was the first car I ever purchased, just out of high school. It was a little red Civic, you know, the one that looked like a roller skate? That was the best little car. We then graduated on to the Accord when I got married, and had several of them throughout the years. It was no wonder that when my daughter took to the road we purchased a Honda for her to drive too. Your pictures show quite an improvement over the years, as far as style goes, to my little "roller skate." My husband commutes quite a distance for work and gas prices are killing us. We have been considering Hybrids, I am not sure if this one is available in the US, however. Thanks for the review and the great pics.
Nana - I´m glad to know that you already are a well-behaved Mom lol ;)
In The Doghouse - I can tell by your comment that you have great taste for cars! :-D
Once you have drove an Honda you will never be satisfied with any other car. I´m almost sure that the new Hybrid it is available in the US.
Nice looking ride, Funride! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) I'm holding out for my next car purchase to be environmentally friendly. This looks like a candidate. The background in the photos is beautiful, by the way.
Lol! You should really try to test the Hybrid you will never want another car ;)
The background in the new car photos is from "Lagoa de Óbidos" (Obidos Lagune - http://www.visitportugal.com/NR/exeres/155180A1-DC
We share more interests funride! I would also recommend anybody to try a hybrid - we have a Prius and it is also superb. Great hub, funride.
Yeah the honda hybrid is the best car out there in my opinion....Not only do they do a good job at saving fuel...but they are the best looking hybrid on the market.
(Peter aka pjdscott forgot he already had comment here :D)
Hi Thomas, thanks for commenting. After 20.000km with the new Honda Hybrid I have to agree with you about the good looking thing but as to saving fuel, well... it depends on how much you accelerate him LOL.
Sexy car. I would LOVE to get a hybrid but they are so pricey. I'm waiting for a hybrid van to hit the market too. That would be excellent.
When I first saw your comment I thought you were talking about me LOL, but you´re right it is really a great car. Here at Portugal it is not that much expensive if you compare with other equivalent cars. If you ask me I do not believe Honda will make a hybrid van :( they have not any kind of van on their range. Thanks for commenting ;)
i love this honda car,it's beatiful.and i think it 's a great car for safe energy too
Hi car lover, thanks for commenting. It is indeed a beautiful car but you`ll only save gas if you drive it gently. Every time you drive fast with it you`ll find similar consumptions to other equivalent cars.
I just wrote my very first Hub Page and guess what it's about! A Honda Civic Hybrid! Then I saw your Hub notice on my page and came over here to look around. You have blown me away! You have a great page. I am going to try and do pages as good as yours; now my page looks pretty skimpy to me after seeing yours. You sound as if you have a lot of fun in life and do a lot of traveling. I love Maui but unfortunately you can't go very far by car. We do a lot of flying. It would be so nice to just be able to jump in the car and drive to say, Honolulu, when we have business in the capital city instead of all the rigamarole involved in flying there. Oh, well, you can't have everything...! Thanks again for a great read...
Wonderful Honda hybrid hub!
Owning two in a row, it is easy to see you are impressed with Honda hybrids.
I notice you mention consumption. The new Honda Clarity is now giving the equivalent of 61mpg and travels 240-170 miles between fills! Driven lightly as you do it would be very economical.
Thank you for leaving a comment on my Honda Clarity hub! Hydrogen/electric looks good for the future of clean fuel.
It can now be created directly from solar panels without using a compressor. This exciting breakthrough in technology could mean very cheap fuel in the near future.
I will return to read the latest on your new hybrid.Like you, I update all my hubs with new data as it arrives.
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Freegoddies 4 years ago
A tremendous effort,keep up the good work,emit no carbon.Let us make this Earth a better place to live.
http://globalwarming.cagora.com
You are welcome to my site on global warming