New Car: Honda Civic IMA
The Civic IMA is certainly cheaper than the better-known Prius, starting from £16,300 to the Toyota’s £17,765. Its propulsion principle is the same; IMA stands for Integrated Motor Assist.
Both cars are petrol-electric hybrids and use batteries to store the energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. That energy is then sent to an electric motor which can either power the car on its own at low speeds, or help the petrol engine by adding 20bhp to its standard 95bhp when more go is required. Either way, fuel consumption and emissions should be cut.
