Last summer, Honda confirmed to Automotive News Europe that the current-generation Civic would be available in the European market with one catch: only as a hybrid. Making its debut, the 2022 Honda Civic Hybrid-officially called e:HEV (hybrid electric vehicle), arrives in the fall and will be offered in the hatchback body style only. While the e:HEV does use the same platform as Civic models in the U.S. , it is not coming here.
The Honda Civic Hybrid powertrain consists of a new 72-cell lithium-ion battery and two compact electric motors paired to an updated 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine. Combined output rings in at 181 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque. The main driving force to the hybridized Civic comes from the two electric motors, which can only mean a smoother and less noisy ride quality.
Honda says its internal combustion engine features improved architecture that helps it achieve 41 percent thermal efficiency, among the highest in the industry for a production model. Other improved components include a new power control unit and an updated intelligent power unit; the latter is smaller and lighter, benefiting from increased energy density. This system delivers instant torque and powerful acceleration without sacrificing efficiency, as stated by the Japanese automaker.
At the heart of the e:HEV system is a fixed-gear transmission designed to reduce friction, and is controlled by the power control unit. Depending on the driving situation, it optimizes the vehicle to adapt accordingly. Without any input from the driver, the powertrain can seamlessly switch between EV, Hybrid, and Engine drive. Finally, there are four drive modes available: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the last one being a new mode that allows for adjusting the engine, transmission, and instrument cluster settings.
As Honda maps out its plans toward an all-electric future, the new Civic e:HEV hatchback marks the completion of an electrified lineup in Europe. Although Honda says this Civic hybrid won't come stateside, it has not given an official statement about whether a hybrid powertrain based on this will be coming to Civic models in America, where the Civic e:HEV could replace the Insight compact sedan. Maybe a hybrid Civic would fare better with a more popular model name, considering Honda only sold 18,685 Insights in 2021.
