HERE'S THE ALL-NEW HONDA CIVIC SEDAN

The new Honda Civic has made its appearance in California where the governor has threatened to squeeze any car maker with no hybrids in its lineup. When it comes to fuel economy, Americans choose no other way than the part-petrol/ part-electric motor type. Good thing too, because Honda is a pioneer in this field and now even offers a Jazz hybrid. So then, the new Civic will also have a hybrid in the range, right? You damn skippy it will!

While to the naked eye the car looks like a major facelift, it actually is very new. So new in fact that Honda says it shares not one panel with its predecessor.

Three engines will be sold in the US. Bottom one is the 1.5-litre i-VTEC hybrid with a lithium-ion battery and a total system output of 82kW. Mated to it is a CVT transmission, and together they claim a fuel efficiency rate of 5.2 litres per 100km. ECO Assist technology is installed, similar to that used by the CR-Z.

The 1.8-litre petrol has 104kW of power and a 5-speed automatic gearbox. Expect that to read “6-speed manual” for the Mzansi market. It returns 6 litres per 100km. Lastly there is an Si model with a 2.4-litre, 149kW engine. We don’t have this one here in the current Civic. Disappointingly Honda, for such an innovative company, still doesn’t seem to believe in small turbocharged engines like everyone else.

With Honda SA launching the new Ballade next week, it’s difficult to see where the Civic sedan would fit in if it’s launched in 2012. Hopefully we’ll get some answers at the launch.