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The
name remains the same, but everything else has changed. Honda
presents a Civic that challenges the top end of the compact
class - a premium sports compact for this growing sector
in the C segment. Honda has dared to be different with a
bold, must-have design that makes other competitors look
distinctly last-generation. The result is the new
Honda Civic with
a sporty drive, distinctive futuristic looks, and advanced
packaging that makes it exceedingly practical to live with.
New Honda Civic - Engine
There is a range
of three different engines to choose from: a 1.4-litre 61kW/83
PS petrol unit, a 1.8-litre 103kW/140 PS petrol unit or a
2.2-litre 103kW/140 PS diesel unit. All of them are combined
with a 6-speed manual gearbox making the new Honda Civic
the first car in the C-segment to be equipped with 6-speed
gearboxes across all of its range. The petrol units can also
be equipped with a 6-speed automated manual transmission.
Both 1.8 petrol and 2.2 diesel will be assembled at the UK
(Swindon plant), while the 1.4 engine is built in Japan (at
the Suzuka plant).
New Honda
Civic - Design
Key to the design
are the forward cabin, low overall vehicle height, big wheels
and a unique "face" where the headlamps blend seamlessly
with a glazed panel. A wide stance creates a feeling of great
stability and sturdiness, while the super-wedged side profile
emphasises the exciting look and hints at an equally adventurous
interior.
The Honda Civic dashboard
showcases a dual zone cockpit whereby all the needed information
and commands are rationally placed. All the important controls
and instruments all located within an inner zone, which is
surrounded by a secondary zone housing radio, heating and
ventilation controls and trip information. The result is
a modern, sophisticated look with the use of different materials
and textures creating a particularly high-class finish.
New Honda
Civic - Size
At a time when
each new car tends to be bigger than its predecessor, it
may come as a surprise that new Honda Civic is smaller
and lower than the current model. Overall length is now 4,250
mm (35 mm less) and overall height 1,460 mm (also 35 mm less).
But in order to create a more dynamic silhouette and a better
handling car, Honda has increased the overall width to 1,760
mm (65 mm more) and the front and rear tracks to 1,504 mm
(34 mm more) and 1,510 mm (45 mm more), respectively.
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Although new Civic is more compact outside,
superior packaging makes the cabin just as roomy as its impressive
predecessor. Like Jazz (which was designed under the same
project leader, Kenji Matsumoto), it features the fuel tank
centrally mounted along with the cross member below the front
seats. This unique configuration makes way for the useful
flat floor rear passenger and cargo area, and for a class
leading luggage compartment volume. The new Honda Civic
too offers 'Magic' seats, with their unique one-motion fold
down and 'flip up' functions.
New Honda
Civic - Equipment
All versions
of new Civic will be generously equipped, with the top models
featuring a number of unexpected items. Standard across the
range will be climate control air conditioning, Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA), trip computer, front, side and curtain airbags,
rake and reach adjustable steering column and rear 'Magic'
seats. High-grade models will feature equipment such as automatic
lights and wiper functions, HID headlamps, Dual Zone Climate
Control and retractable door mirrors, in addition to expected
items like alloy wheels, DVD satellite navigation and leather
trim.
New Honda
Civic - Safety
New Honda
Civic will be one of the safest cars in its class. With its
new body structure and sub-frames, recessed pedals, double
pre-tensioners on the front seatbelts and side curtain airbags,
it is expected to achieve a Euro NCAP 5 star result for front
and side impact safety, 3 stars for pedestrian safety and
4 stars for child protection safety.
New Honda
Civic - Drive
Honda was determined
that new Civic would drive as well as it looks, and has sought
to make the car easy to drive for the novice yet fun for
the enthusiast. The challenge was to provide responsive handling,
while preserving a supple but well-damped ride. An extended
wheelbase that 'pushes' the wheels further out towards the
body extremities is just part of the story. Both steering
and suspension systems have been completely redesigned (with
a quick EPS Electric Power Steering rack, MacPherson struts
up front and a compact torsion beam arrangement behind),
while all new Honda Civic models get the benefit of
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) designed to assist the driver
in maintaining control during cornering.
Currently, Civic is produced in 11 countries
and sold in approximately 160 countries. The new eighth generation
model will be built at Honda's European car plant, in Swindon,
Wiltshire — with the 5-door exclusive to Europe.
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