Between Toyota and Honda, the world was officially introduced to the mass-produced hybrid automobile in 1997. Cars like the quirky Honda Insight and the roomy but oddly-shaped Toyota Prius were the first to venture into that brave new world, but by no means have they been the last step forward. The technology that's featured on these cars is improving rapidly; thinner motors, more efficient power generators, lighter, smaller batteries - and the list goes on and on. Remarkably, these two arch nemeses managed to propagate the hybrid scene, now teeming with entries from Toyota's subsidiary brand Lexus, and American automakers Ford and GM, with Nissan and Subaru in hot pursuit. Besides bearing technology that speaks of preserving the world for future generations, the latest generation Civic Hybrid actually looks as if it's from the future. The all-new four-door notchback sedan became the basis for the totally revised Civic Hybrid; this shape, while not the most flattering of the Civics available, is popular in the Hybrid's biggest markets - North America and Japan. Full Article
Honda's site has also been updated, and the 2006 is now listed. Tilt/Telescopic steering wheel and height adjustable seats are listed and standard.
The electric motor in the Prius generates almost 4 times more torque than the electric motor in the Civic.
I chalk this up to slightly differing philosophies in the design of the Prius vs. the Civic, as with all of the other differences in the hybrid system. Toyota puts more emphasis on the electric motors. There are 2 motors instead of one, it's attached to a different place wrt the ICE, and MG2 is bigger and more powerful, able to generate more torque. Honda's approach is to emphasise improvements to the ICE, and the Honda's improved ICE is key to the Civic's performance as well as efficiency. The electric motor is the IMA, integrated motor assist, after all, so it's secondary to the improved engine technologies. The ICE in the Civic provides 15 more horsepower than the Prius's.
Pretty much dead on. Honda's emphasis is on wringing every bit of economy out of the engine that they can. In terms of getting the most power and economy out of an engine, Honda is among the best in class (along with VW/Audi for getting the most power per liter). Toyota's emphasis is on deemphasizing the ICE, and they traditionally haven't been quite as engine savvy as Honda has. If you took Honda's ICE and mated it to Toyota's HSD, you'd probably have a 75mpg Prius that could do 0-60 in under 10 seconds.
lol. Yeah Toyota's a little slow coming into the fray of direct injection engines. The HCH had it from the start hence they could stick with the 1.3 litre size.
Judging by the article, it seems that this Civic gen. will compete against the Prius on a more level playing field. Perhaps the 3rd gen. Prius can focus on improving the ICE in some of the same ways that Honda's done with theirs. I'd be interested in seeing one in person (not that I'm not happy with the Prius). That tach looks sweet! I could go on (comparing features, questioing price, etc.), but why? shaun
I'd say more than "slightly" -- Honda and the others are building hybrids in series. Only Toyota is operating engines in parallel. That's profoundly more flexible in the long run... and why Toyota has closer to parity between ICE and eletric power. Gary
Do note there's a german magazine article stating the next Prius is targeted for 3.6L/100km or 65mpg US as an average compared to the 4.5L/100km or 52mpg average it currently achieves. Toyota also wants to boost the electric motor output by 15%.
http://autos.goo.ne.jp/motorshow/gallery/c...3_IMG_9248.html Here's the dash of the Estima Hybrid. Note the "S" position on the transmission shifter. Honda isn't the only one and Toyota is thinking about that "S" mode. Although, I don't know if Toyota's "S" means something else (e.g. snow lol) rather than sport.
