I've read in more than one place that full curtain bags will be standard - just like they made in the entire Accord line - even the DX (as of this year, I think). It's part of Honda's 'Safety For Everyone' campaign.

Honda also announced when they unveiled the '06 Civic at the Chicago Auto Show that the new Hybrid will have 'significantly improved FE over the current generation'. I'm guessing it will move from 2nd-gen IMA to at least 3rd-gen (Accord), or maybe even a 3.5-gen ?

If you're pushing 60mpg now, I couldn't say for sure whether you'd see an equivalent EPA vs. actual delta with the new Hybrid, although perhaps a couple of test drives might give you an idea.

If the new HCH uses the Accord's IMA logic, you'll notice that auto-stop logic has changed (you can creep in stop-n-go and have auto-stop re-engage continuously, but the feature activates at 8mph, not 20). Not sure how the current cylinder deactivation you have now will carry over, but I doubt it'll change to 2-cylinder mode. We'll have to see this summer, when they start releasing more details.

From what I'm seeing, the 8th-gen Civic lineup is going to be something really special, across the whole line - Si, Hybrid, LX/EX.

Mark

Sometimes we could all use a little less

My hybrid automobiles:

Current:
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid (CVT, w/o Nav)
Magnetic Pearl / Blue - 008661, born 12/28/05
Mods: Neck pillows, Garmin C330 Nav, Draw-tite 1.25" hitch (for bikes, not towing!), Pioneer Inno XM receiver via Aux jack, OEM mud flaps, more to come!

Hypermiler status on 3/12/06 @ 3077mi.

Previous:
2005 Honda Accord Hybrid (5AT/Navi)
Desert Mist / Ivory - 001254
Retired 1/21/06 - LMPG 34.1

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