This student-built Honda Civic hybrid can do 0-60mph in 2 seconds
1y ago
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Built by students of Clemson University in South Carolina, this Honda Civic is capable of upsetting many established performance cars in a straight line. With the aggrandisement of a hybrid powertrain, a 0-60mph time of just 2 seconds is possible.
Taking 19 students 2 years to complete, this Civic goes by the name of Deep Orange 9, and was possible thanks to Honda’s sponsorship. Starting with a standard Honda Civic Sedan, the goal was to give the car outstanding performance, while also ensuring the emissions were kept low.
The position of the 2 litre engine was changed from the front to the middle, and a supercharger was bolted on to give it 400bhp. With the engine sending its power to the rear wheels alone, an electric motor was used to propel the front wheels, giving the car an additional 200bhp - resulting in a total of 600 horsepower!
What you’re looking at here then is a mid-engined Honda hybrid, and yet it isn’t an NSX - it’s a Civic! In keeping with the hybrid tradition, there are a number of systems at work to turn waste energy into power for the batteries. For a start, there’s brake regeneration, and a system that uses the simple motion of the wheels turning to charge the batteries.
With what’s being referred to as a “semi-active” suspension system, this Civic is said to be able to adapt to changes in surface. In fact, you’re supposed to be able to drive it from tarmac onto gravel - much like a Rallycross car - with total impunity. With a 4 wheel steering system as well, you can bet that it darts through the corners in all arenas.
But now I want to ask you guys: what’s your favourite thing about this Civic? Let me know in the comments.
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