Nearly a year after the global debut of the all-new 11th-generation Honda Civic, the Japanese carmaker has now finally unveiled the e:HEV hybrid-powered variant, with a simultaneous launch in Thailand and Europe – sedan in the former (and possibly rest of the world), while the latter gets the hatchback, where it’ll be sold exclusively as a hybrid model in the continent.
The 2022 Honda Civic e:HEV, in both sedan and hatchback variants, will be powered by the marque’s most powerful i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) powertrain, almost completely identical to that of the Honda Accord Hybrid.
The hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.0 litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to two electric motors – one driving the wheels directly for the most part (via an e-CVT gearbox to the front wheels), and the other acting somewhat as a generator. Altogether, the powertrain makes a combined output of 181 hp and 315 Nm of torque, according to the European spec sheet.
Honda did however make a few tweaks to the powertrain on the Civic e:HEV hybrid, specifically on the petrol engine. It now gets a direct injection system, alongside several smaller tweaks to increase its thermal efficiency to 41% – one of the highest in the automotive industry, the company notes.
There’s also a new 72-cell battery pack underneath the rear seats, alongside a compact Power Control Unit that is now situated under the bonnet with the rest of the powertrain. Honda says that it’s targetting a fuel-consumption rating of under 5 l/100km based on the WLTP test cycle.
RELATED: All-new Honda HR-V unveiled in Thailand, only in e:HEV hybrid powertrain
Standard equipment on the all-new Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid will depend on trim levels, although they do not differ too much with the existing petrol-powered models. There are, of course, several exclusive visual cues on the outside to differentiate it from the non-electrified variants, including a blue-tinted Honda emblems, e:HEV badgings, as well as variant-exclusive wheels.
Over in Thailand, The Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid will be offered in two variants: the EL+ priced around the region of THB1,150,000 (approx. RM 145k), and the new range-topping e:HEV RS around THB1,270,000 (approx. RM160k). The latter will also replace the existing petrol-powered Civic RS in Thailand, making it a Hybrid-only offering.
Will the Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid make its way into Malaysia? Well, that’s a question that only those within Honda Malaysia will know. However, the company previously announced their plans to further expand the use of its e:HEV powertrain in its model line-up, and with the smaller Honda City (both sedan and hatchback) already received the new hybrid powertrain, we’ll say that it’s not a zero-chance possibility.
With that being said though, if it does make its way to our shores, we won’t expect it to be any time soon. The company announced that it’ll be making two new model launches this year, widely expected to be the all-new Honda HR-V and BR-V.
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