India's First Hybrid: Honda Civic

Date posted: 06-24-2008

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NEW DELHI — Honda Siel Cars said it will begin importing the Civic Hybrid from Japan. India's first hybrid car will be priced from just over $50,000 when it goes on sale later this summer.

The Civic Hybrid features a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gas engine in combination with an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission. Under part throttle, the cylinders are deactivated, and the engine is switched off when the car is at rest.

In the U.S., the Civic Hybrid carries a sticker of $23,270.

Toyota has said it plans to launch a version of the Prius hybrid in India in 2009.

What this means to you: At $50,000, Honda can't expect to sell many Civic Hybrids in India — but first-mover bragging rights are worth something. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent