Only a few weeks after Honda President Takanobu Ito disclosed plans to equip the next generation of the Civic Hybrid with a new high-output and compact in size, lithium-ion battery, and our spies have captured a pair of test mules in the body of the current, European market Civic five-door hatch, testing near the company's R&D center in Offenbach, Germany.
According to our man with the long lens, the two prototype Civics "left the traffic lights in complete silence", which points to a full hybrid set up with the ability to run on electric power only.
The next generation of the Civic is due for release in 2011 or 2012 the latest. Aside from the hybrid model with gasoline-electric technology which could be offered in Europe in both hatchback and sedan forms, Honda has also confirmed the development of a smaller displacement turbo diesel engine that will fit right under the current 2.2-liter i-DTEC unit.
