Civic Hybrid Returns As Germany's Greenest Car

http://www.honda.com.au/wps/wcm/conn...s+greenest+car

BERLIN -- Honda’s Civic Hybrid has been named Germany's most ecological car -- for the second year running -- by the respected Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD: a major transport and environment organisation in Germany) in its Environmental Car Ratings for 2007-2008.

As part of its rating process the VCD sought out the quietest vehicles with the lowest fuel consumption and the lowest level of emissions. The Civic Hybrid met all the organisation's requirements for environmental compatibility and comfortable driving, and it was highly rated for its outstanding quietness.

This is the second year running that the VCD has chosen the Civic Hybrid as its environmental winner. In 2006 the vehicle beat 350 contenders to secure the coveted first place in the VCD Environmental Car Ratings. In addition, the judges rated the Civic Hybrid as the top car in the compact class.

The Civic Hybrid is the latest embodiment of Honda's long-term commitment to the development of environmentally friendly technologies that are also fun to drive.

Retailing from $32,990, the Civic Hybrid is Australia’s most affordable hybrid vehicle.

It combines a petrol engine with an electric motor to produce 85kW and 170Nm, with the ability to switch off the internal combustion engine when the car comes to a stop. These factors contribute greatly to the reduction of fuel consumption and emissions, particularly in city traffic.

The Civic Hybrid has a standard fuel consumption of 4.6 litres per 100 km (51.13 mpg) and emissions of 109 grams of CO2 per km (174.4 g/mile).