The 2012 Honda Civic was one of the stars of the 2011 Detroit Auto show. Now, this is partially because it showed a ‘concept’ of the all-new Honda Civic — one of the nation’s best selling cars — and partially because the concept was not very conceptey (as you’d expect from something coming out in just a few months) and partially because it was such a conservative step.

In any case, what was sort of glossed over were some of the specs. Namely that the 2012 Civic would show up with a conventional gasoline motor, a natural gas GX model and a new Civic Hybrid.

The hybrid here is the most interesting as it will still use Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) technology, but be the first Honda to feature a lithium ion battery instead of the outdated NiMH ones. Li-ion batteries should allow the Civic Hybrid more battery-only range and thus overall better fuel economy. And Honda has high hopes for it as it was recently caught testing against the Toyota Prius (50 mpg) along with the in-house competition, Insight (41 mpg).

This tester was caught with some unique wheels with reduced openings and low rolling resistance tires.
*Edmunds