http://tags.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png http://jalopnik.com/tag/hybridcivic http://jalopnik.com/tag/hybridcivic Who said hybrids have to be boring? Lotus has teamed up with Oaktec to tune and develop a version of the Honda Civic Hybrid for rally duty. The upgrades range from a much more aggressive power delivery and regenerative braking strategy to beefed-up suspension components. Specs on the car are still being kept quiet, but it's a darn impressive engineering effort to race a hybrid and our pocket protectors are spinning just thinking about the complexity.

[CarScoop ]

]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5055468&view=rss&microfeed=true While all eyes will be on the new Honda Insight hybrid, Honda will also show off a refreshed Civic Hybrid at next month's Paris Motor Show. Cosmetic changes are minimal — tweaks to the lighting, fascias and wheels help clean up the design and are expected to transfer to conventionally powered Civics in Europe. On the mechanical front, Honda will also debut the i-DTEC automatic transmission designed exclusively for Honda vehicles using the firm's 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel engine. We're looking forward to full specs and drive impressions since a diesel Honda is anticipated on these shores next year, presumably with this new autobox pushing the wheels. [Carscoop]

]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5047776&view=rss&microfeed=true