A couple days ago my Google Alert found me an article from
http://honda-newcar.com titled "Is Honda Civic Gas Mileage Really the Best?" It's obviously a website operated by the Honda folks. Referring to the 2008 Honda Civic hybrid, it said:
"The automobile does not have the ability to launch in all-electric mode, which actually helps the driver save gas in stop-and-go road situations."

Oh really? Will someone please explain how they can claim that? It's my understanding that if you're driving with Honda's "Integrated Motor Assist" in a slow, stop-and-go situation, every time you take your foot off the brake, the gasoline engine starts up, then shuts off when you brake again. Am I correct? (Seems rather inefficient and hard on the system.)

A web site sponsor is known by the owner, not the domain name. The one I know for sure is Honda sponsored is:

http://www.honda.com/

The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) does more than than auto-shut the engine. The Honda system provides significant, low-end torque to improve the engine overall efficiency by boosting the low-end range. In contrast, the Belt Assisted System (BAS) work like you describe. I believe only some GM-Saturn vehicles use these systems.

The key is to look at the ratio of engine power to motor power. The IMA systems provide a significant low end power boost to the Honda Civic Hybrid engine.

Just curious, what ride do you have? Are you looking for a hybrid?

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Actually, it's worse than that. In stop-and-go situations, IMA leaves the engine running once the engine has stopped once and restarted. That's why its city mileage is less than its highway mileage.