2022 Honda Civic FE 2.0 e:HEV hybrid to launch in Thailand
CY Foong · Mar 10, 2022 10:50 AM
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During the Honda Civic FE’s launch back in January, members of the media asked the Large Project Leader (LPL) for the Civic FE, Mr. Tomoyuki Yamagami, on the decision for the 1.8-litre engine’s omission. The quick answer was it was too old and Honda is trying to move away from combustion engines.
Honda Insight, a thinly veiled Civic FC Hybrid
Hence, the Civic FE is only available with a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo in many markets but being committed to switching to electrified power meant that the Civic Hybrid could be making its return too. The Civic Hybrid was replaced in the FC generation by the Honda Insight which is only sold in a few markets including the U.S.A. and Japan.
According to Headlight Mag, Honda Automobile Thailand is preparing to introduce the Civic FE Hybrid, to be called Civic e:HEV sometime in the future. The publication said that the hybrid car is likely to be powered by an updated 2.0-litre i-MMD engine that is used on the Accord e:HEV.
The Thai-spec Accord is available with both standard petrol (1.5 VTEC Turbo) and hybrid variants. The latter combines the 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle unit (145 PS/175 Nm) with a pair of electric motors (184 PS/315 Nm).
Accord e:HEV unit shown
Figures for the upcoming Thai-spec Civic e:HEV are still under wraps but Headlight Mag has revealed that the engine will be given the LFC2 codename – the Accord e:HEV’s engine code is LFB1.
It is very likely that the Civic e:HEV could make an appearance in Malaysia. During the FE’s launch, Yamagami had said at the time that there is a possibility but couldn’t disclose much.
As for Honda Malaysia, it is planning to expand its range of hybrids, keeping in line with the rest of the world. For instance, Honda Europe only offers hybrid and electric models while it aims to sell only electric vehicles (EV) in America by 2040.
Honda Malaysia’s current hybrid models include the City RS, City Hatchback RS, and the HR-V Hybrid which are all locally-assembled (CKD). The previous Civic FD and Civic FB were offered as a hybrid (fully-imported, CBU) but sales were limited.
With hybrids entering the Malaysian consensus more these days, especially among urban buyers, could the Civic e:HEV win over better than its predecessors?
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
