Power boost for green Civic

• Civic unveiled at Frankfurt on sale in January
• 113bph and CO2 emissions of 109g/km
• Capable of 61.4mpg

More Information

• More pictures

Latest News

• Renault Fluence ZE review
• Alpina D5 Bi-Turbo review
• Geneva 2012: Audi TT RS plus
• Fiat Punto Twinair review

Related stories

• Honda steers the way to safety
• Prius proves cleanest car
• Frankfurt Motor Show preview

Honda has released the first details of its all-new petrol-electric Civic Hybrid, which will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13.

The Hybrid is a four-door saloon, based on the US Civic, which will replace the current IMA in January.

It promises to be even cleaner and more economical than its predecessor, with carbon dioxide emissions of 109g/km. This should be low enough to beat the likely 110g/km benchmark that will be used to qualify for the Government’s forthcoming grants for green cars.

Honda claims the Hybrid offers 113bhp, which is 20% more power than the existing IMA. Fuel economy is also improved – it returns 61.4mpg on the combined cycle, which is 5% better than the IMA.

These improvements will make it more powerful than its big rival, the Toyota Prius, although the Prius still has the edge in terms of carbon dioxide emissions and fuel economy. However, Honda hopes to attract potential Prius buyers by pricing the Hybrid around £16,000, which is £1545 less than the entry-level Toyota.

The Civic will be offered only in one trim level, with leather upholstery as the only optional extra.

Honda plans to release more petrol-electric hybrids throughout its model ranges.