THERE'S no better way to test the mettle of a hybrid car than for it to go the distance.
Members of the media recently took Honda's 11th-generation Civic e:HEV RS out for a spin.
The non-hybrid variant was Cars, Bikes and Trucks' car of 2022. Thus, there were high expectations regarding the new 2.0L e:HEV powertrain that is said to deliver a performance that is unmatched in the segment and comparable with D-segment models.
It is coupled with an Electric Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT) and an Intelligent Power Unit, giving it a maximum power output of 184PS and a benchmark setting 315Nm of torque.
Design-wise, it adopts the sporty RS template with the addition of the chrome ring insert headlight and front grille, black half chrome door handle and the unique Blue H Mark and e:HEV emblem, all of which are exclusive to the Civic e:HEV RS variant.
It also sports 18-inch dual tone alloy wheels and a single tailpipe finisher.
In a test of distance, Honda Malaysia arranged for a 455km journey from Bamboo Hills in Kuala Lumpur to Desaru, Johor.
Our target was to reach Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas on a single fuel tank, a feat that should not be difficult for a hybrid.
But that was not all. To spice it up a little, a twist was thrown into the mix, whereby the media members participated in a fuel economy challenge from the starting point to our second-to-last pit stop in Bandar Seri Impian, Kluang.
The top three teams who clocked the best average fuel consumption would be declared champions. There were no rules, which the organisers would come to regret to some extent.
The tactics adopted included gently cruising the car at an "acceptably" slow pace even on highways, optimum speed acceleration control of between 70kph and 90kph, turning off the air conditioning, reducing braking, adopting strategic aerodynamic manoeuvres such as slipstreaming behind larger vehicles to reduce drag, using neutral gear when the road descends, and using Eco mode, among others.
Some even swore off toilet breaks to reduce start-stop procedures.
The key is to constantly be on the go with as few breaks as possible.
This heated battle of attrition and mental fortitude came to an abrupt end at our first pit stop in Melaka, after the organisers realised we were falling behind schedule.
As expected, there was no need for a refuelling stop throughout the drive. We reached our destination at around 8pm with plenty of fuel to spare.
For those curious, my team did not place in the top three despite registering 28 litres per 100km.
There's no debate about the Civic's 2.0L e:HEV powertrain delivering a fuel economy drive. It was also more powerful and felt smoother over the 1.5L turbo engine.
We'll have more details once we have properly reviewed the car. But for now, the 2.0L e:HEV powertrain sits firmly as an overall improvement over the standard RS.