Yeah, you read right....Bet you never thought you’d see a Honda Civic IMA Hybrid in the air like the one in featured in the picture above. Of course, this isn’t your ordinary hybrid but a race prepped version of the eco-friendly Civic created by Oaktec. The Lancashire based company has been developing the Honda Hybrid system for motorsport since 2004. Oaktec took part in several rallies around the UK winning the F1000 Class A Championship in 2006 with a Honda Insight. Now Oaktec has joined forces with Lotus to develop the performance of a Civic Hybrid for rallying and circuit racing.
Though no details on the car’s specifications have been revealed yet, Phil Barker, Chief Engineer of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technologies at Lotus said that the British automaker will work with Oaktec to create a revised electrical specification for more power and a control system that will allow a more aggressive regenerative braking strategy.
Paul Andrews, Senior Partner of Oaktec said: “Maximizing racetrack performance from a hybrid drivetrain is a complex technical exercise but one that Lotus Engineering has the experience and expertise to help us deliver. We look forward to seeing our success on the rally tracks replicated in the race circuits. We will be breaking new ground with the project when Gavan Kershaw of Lotus Engineering and Jamie Corstorphine of Autocar magazine will race our Honda Civic Hybrid for the first time in the Dunlop Max Sport Cup at Rockingham circuit on 28th September.”
Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/09/lotus-helps-development-of-honda-civic.html