My New HONDA HYBRID

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're coasting or braking and fed back to the engine under acceleration, it's 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.

Everytime you make a complete stop on a red light or when there´s 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. Around town the 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 doesn't 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´s 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.

After almost 200.000 kms done with it I´m sure that I have no other choice rather than changing to the new Honda Civic Hybrid!

During this past 4 years I went with him to Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Danmark, Sweden and Italy in several euro trips where he behave like a modern aeroplane lol.

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I loved the Honda Civic IMA so much that now (March 2008) I choose to exchange it for the new Honda Civic Hybrid! I still haven´t made enough km´s to make a complete review but I promise to make it as soon as I get to know "him" better ;)

Right now I leave you with some photos of my new ride!

Let´s hope that in a nearest future all cars performe like this!

I try to make my contribution against global warming and I hope this worth something to change the actual tendency.