HONDA'S Civic IMA is a major step to a whole new world.
In a futurescape where petrol is a much more expensive commodity, it is cars like this which will survive.
IMA means Integrated Motor Assist, translated into an electric motor assisting the petrol engine when accelerating.
Honda tried something similar on the Insight, a two seater coupe that felt over-heavy and was styled for Lady Penelope. Needless to say the Insight did not catch on very well in the UK, but I can see the reverse being the case for Civic IMA.
For a start, the technology is packaged in the very smart Civic saloon bodywork and the car feels as light as a normal vehicle.
Just the wrapping you need when you can place a petrol engined car in the showroom window and boast that it can achieve up to 58 mpg.
And this is no idle claim because on two journeys to London and back in this car I was getting betweeen 47 and 56mpg.
But the most amazing feature of this car is its total silence. Civic IMA can outdo some top luxury cars in this respect.
It is all achieved with the coupling of a 1.3 litre i-DSI petrol engine with a thin, lightweight electric motor that assists the engine when accelerating and recaptures the energy by re-charging its battery when the car is decelerating.
The low fuel consumption and high torque at low and medium speed ranges of the advanced i-DSI engine - already featured in the Honda Jazz - are ideal for IMA application.
In addition, the engine's compact dimensions allow the 10kW electric motor and generator to be positioned between engine and transmission with ease. Energy captured in deceleration is stored in a new type of slim and lightweight battery, so leaving plenty of room for a conventional boot.
Other innovative features are a cylinder idling system to minimise engine pumping losses in regenerative braking, a nitrogen oxides - absorbative catalytic converter that allows lean air-fuel mixtures without the penalty of high NOx emissions, and an automatic idle stop which cuts the engine during complete stops and uses the motor to restart the engine. CO2 emissions of 116g/km are at the top of the class.
It all seems a lot of gubbins that might go wrong in later life, but a consolation is that the IMA package is a sealed unit and is maintenance free. But I wonder what it would cost to eventually replace?
FAST FACTS
Honda Civic IMA
Price: £15,012
Mechanical: 89bhp, 1,339cc 4 cyl petrol engine assisted by 10kw electric motor driving front wheels via 5-spd manual transmission
Max speed: 111mph
0-62mph: 12.8 secs
Combined mpg: 57.6
Insurance group: 9
CO2 emissions: 116/gkm
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint