Jerry

Concept of Honda plug-in platform

Mid-2011 Honda CEO Takanobu Ito gave a glance into the company’s strategy moving into the future. An all new Honda Civic hybrid was mentioned as well as a plug-in hybrid concept that would hopefully make it into production for the 2012 model year. Here is a quick glance at the most recent information about both.

The 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid offers a 1.5L four cylinder hybrid engine that delivers 44 mpg in the city or on the highway with the help of the continuously variable transmission. The 2012 also features standard stability control, traction control, and side/curtain airbags. The base model adds 15-inch alloy wheels and low-rolling-resistance tires, outside mirrors with built-in turn signals, LED taillights, a rear spoiler and a 160-watt, six-speaker stereo. The ”Leather” trim level adds heated mirrors, leather upholstery, and heated front seats.

The plug-in is still a work in progress. Honda’s official site for the vehicle lists several expected aspects, but not an official announcement of whether it will be a CR-Z or Civic platform based vehicle. The plug-in hybrid platform will allow for short, frequent trips in all-electric mode. Long distance trips will be powered by Honda’s 2.0-liter, i-VTEC inline 4 popper. The finalized incarnation will continuously move through three modes for maximum driving efficiency: all-electric, gasoline-electric and an engine direct-drive mode. The direct-drive mode allows the engine to drive the front wheels directly for better fuel efficiency at cruising speeds in excess of 62 mph. The platform’s all electric range will offer a top effective distance of 15 miles at 62 mph or less. Recharge time is going to be in the 2 hour neighborhood with a household 120V outlet or 1 hour with a a 240V plug.

The Honda Civic is facing stiffer competition this year. Kia and Hyundai are offering less expensive vehicles that are very comparable in options, safety, and fuel efficiency. There is a general urgency at Honda to develop improved engines to combat this competition. This all bodes well for the cash strapped general populace.

All weather floor mat

The inexorable march of the seasons is upon us. Winter is breathing down the necks of people everywhere. That means white powder everywhere. It also means slush, road salt, and general wet nastiness in your Honda Civic. All of it can destroy an interior over time unless you add a few practical accessories to protect your ride.

The first practical part to consider is a set of all weather floor mats. These mats are designed from durable plastic with channels so that water and other mess are pooled in a drainage area. The mat can then be lifted out of your foot box area and drained without ever letting a mess touch your Civic’s carpet. Along the same line is a cargo mat for your trunk area. A poorly maintained interior is a major detractor when you try to resell your car and can lower its value by several hundred if not a couple of thousand dollars. Before you buy either of these accessories, be sure to do some internet research. Companies like WeatherTech and Husky offer all weather products that are specifically designed for the Honda Civic, insuring a proper fit that does not interfere with pedal use.

One area of the interior that is often overlooked is the seats. You are constantly rubbing across them, but ignoring the effects that friction, zippers, and other materials can have on them. Ignoring them until a tear happens, that is. A set of seat covers could be the best solution. Whether you prefer neoprene or the look and feel of leather that leatherette provides, you need to take care to buy a product that is designed for your Honda Civic. Generic fit brands may cause the seat cover to bunch or just be too tight to fit correctly.

One last Honda Civic accessory to consider is a remote start. Installing a remote start has nothing to do with being too lazy to walk out to your car. It has everything with wanting to get into a warm vehicle first thing in the morning. Just remember to leave the heat running when you shut your car down for the night.

With snow in the immediate forecast in several areas of North America, now is the time to start thinking about your Civic’s interior and future resale value. A quick look online will lead you to the right products for your car.

Image credit: Vertical Doors, INC

The Honda Civic is one of the best known cars in North America. Styling may not set it apart from many cars, but its reputation for fuel efficiency, durability, and reliability have helped it stand out from most cars on the market today. It is also a favorite for tuners, backyard and professional alike. There are hundreds of Honda Civic parts that you can choose from to customize your car, but here are three that offer performance in several ways.

In a previous post, lowering kits were covered. They are great for additional handling and a faster take off by reducing squat on acceleration, but are limited when standing alone. Try adding a carbon fiber hood as well. These hoods offer a 50 lb weight reduction, which offers a faster 0-60 and a little extra at the top end. Seibon is probably the best known manufacturer, but Carbon Creations, and VIS Racing offer solid products as well. There are other weight reduction options, but a carbon fiber hood is an easy project for do-it-yourselfers at any level. While you are looking at a carbon hood, why not look into a replacement hatch or trunk lid for additional weight reduction?

This project is a little more involved and doesn’t really add anything other than a cool factor. Vertical doors for you Honda Civic will really help your ride stand out in a crowd. There can be some welding involved, but the basic parts are all included in the kit. Hey, if a Lambo can have them, why not your Honda Civic?

The next project should be designed to reduce the aerodynamic drag of your Honda Civic. Body kits are in order. Spoilers, replacement grilles, under bumper spoilers, the list goes on. Lowering the drag your car experiences can add top speed and offer improved handling.

If you make all of the changes mentioned in this post, you could see an additional 50 horsepower from your car, a shorter time in the quarter, and a faster mile. Additionally, your handling will improve, allowing you to perform better in slalom type events or just weaving through traffic. Good luck with your projects.

2012 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic has long been a a great project car for tuning. There are many places that you could start your project, but a lowering kit offers enhanced performance in handling and fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, not all Honda Civic lowering kits are created equally. Buying the wrong kit can have the disappointing effect of decreasing your car’s performance. Here are is the main point to look for in any kit before you purchase one.

The amount of travel that the lowering kit allows directly affects how much roll you experience in turns, thus affecting handling. The kit that you choose should only allow 1 inch of travel. Additional travel will cause your car to bottom out, anything less will not positively affect your car’s performance. After installing your lowering kit, you will need to have your car realigned. The lower center of gravity will throw off the suspension geometry of your car.

Keep in mind that a lowering kit will not completely optimize your Civic’s handling. In addition to lowering your car, you may want to consider adding front and rear sway bars, strut tower braces, or a two point under carriage brace. All of these parts are designed to help reduce squat during acceleration and roll turning a turn. None of these parts add noticeable weight to your car. One final part that can be overlooked is a larger set of tires. Adding one or two sizes to the standard tires can close any remaining gap between the tire and the wheel well of your Civic.

Adding a lowering kit to your Honda Civic is not a beginner level upgrade. Any time you change the suspension of your car, you can create a dangerous situation for yourself. Take care to have an expert install any of these parts. When you are finished you should be able to notice an additional 15% in fuel efficiency and a quicker time on the short track as well as any slalom type event. All of that and no one has mentioned weight reduction yet.

Honda Civic Blog

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Practical Honda Civic Parts For The Coming Months

Honda Civic Parts To Ponder

What To Look For In A Honda Civic Lowering Kit

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