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* [http://www.myphill.com Phill - CNG Home Refueling Appliance] Manufactured by FuelMaker
* [http://www.myphill.com Phill - CNG Home Refueling Appliance] Manufactured by FuelMaker
* [http://www.cutco2.org/2007/02/greenest-and-meanest-cars-of-2007.html CNG Honda voted Greenest Car of the Year]
* [http://www.cutco2.org/2007/02/greenest-and-meanest-cars-of-2007.html CNG Honda voted Greenest Car of the Year]
* [http://www.globalpremiumcars.com/article_detail/34/honda-civic-gx-is-americas-greenest-car-for-the-7th-year Honda Civic GX is America's Greenest Car for the 7th Year]
* [http://www.cngchat.com/ CNG Users Site]
* [http://www.cngchat.com/ CNG Users Site]


Revision as of 09:53, 5 August 2010

Template:Fixbunching

Honda Civic GX
2009 Honda Civic GX hooked up to Phill refueling system
Overview
ManufacturerHonda
Production1998-present
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact (1998-2000)
Compact (2001-present)
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutFF layout

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First generation
Overview
Production1998-2000
AssemblyEast Liberty, Ohio
Body and chassis
PlatformSixth-generation Honda Civic
RelatedAcura EL
Honda CR-V
Honda/Acura Integra
Isuzu Gemini
Honda Domani
Powertrain
Engine1.6L I4
Transmission4-speed automatic
Dimensions
WheelbaseTemplate:Auto in
LengthTemplate:Auto in
WidthTemplate:Auto in
HeightTemplate:Auto in

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Second generation
2004-2005 Honda Civic NGV (US)
Overview
Production2001-2005
AssemblyEast Liberty, Ohio
Body and chassis
PlatformSeventh-generation Honda Civic
RelatedAcura EL
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Acura/Honda Integra
Acura RSX/Honda Integra DC5
Honda Civic Hybrid
Powertrain
Engine1.7L I4
TransmissionCVT
Dimensions
WheelbaseTemplate:Auto in
LengthTemplate:Auto in (2001-03)
Template:Auto in (2004-05)
WidthTemplate:Auto in
HeightTemplate:Auto in

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Third generation
Overview
Production2006-present
AssemblyEast Liberty, Ohio '06~'08 Greensburg, Indiana '09~present
Body and chassis
PlatformEighth-generation Honda Civic
RelatedAcura CSX
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Acura RSX/Honda Integra DC5
Honda Civic Hybrid
Powertrain
Engine1.8L I4
Transmission5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase106.3 in (2700 mm)
Length176.7 in (4470 mm) (2006-08)
177.3 in (4503 mm) (2009-)
Width69.0 in (1750 mm)
Height56.5 in (1420 mm)

Template:Fixbunching The Honda Civic GX is a passenger car factory-built to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). The GX is a based on the Honda Civic and it is sold only in four U.S. markets, California, New York, Utah and Oklahoma.[1] The GX is manufactured in Honda's Greensburg, Indiana plant together with the production of conventional Civics.[1]

History

The Honda Civic GX first appeared in 1998 as a factory-modified Civic LX that had been designed to run exclusively on CNG (compressed natural gas). In 1998 the Civic GX cost $4500 more than a comparable Civic LX.[2] The car looks and drives just like a contemporary Honda Civic LX, but does not run on gasoline. In 2001, the Civic GX was rated the cleanest-burning internal combustion engine in the world by the EPA.[3][4]

The GX was first leased to the City of Los Angeles to be used by parking enforcement officers and other city employees as a live beta test. The GX follows the same model year design changes as the Civic LX model, until the model year 2001 when a CVT (continuously variable transmission) was introduced in place of the 4 speed automatic transmission. In the 2006 year model, the GX again was equipped with the automatic 5 speed transmission, which increased its mileage and extended its range to 250 miles.[5]

In 2005, Honda started offering the GX directly to the public through factory trained dealers certified to service the GX. Before that, only fleets were eligible to purchase a new Civic GX.

In 2006, the Civic went through its greatest modification since its inception. All variants of the Civic were awarded the 2006 Motor Trend "Car of the Year" award.[6] The 8th generation Civic remains unchanged from 2006 and is also available in the GX model. The GX is a very limited-availability car with fewer than a thousand units per year being produced by the factory.[7]

In October 2006, the 2007 Civic GX became available in New York, making it the second state where the consumer is able to buy the car.[8]

In July 2009, the GX became available to the public in Utah. [9]

In April 2010 the GX became available to the public in Oklahoma. Honda chose this market thanks to low natural gas costs and state incentives.[1]

Specifications

Rear view of the 2010 Honda Civic GX with the blue diamond CNG sticker and Honda's NGV (Natural Gas Vehicle) Emblem on the rear door.

The GX was originally introduced with a 1.6 liter I4 engine. The 2001 model make-over carried a 1.7 liter engine. Beginning in model-year 2006, the 1.8 liter inline four-cylinder engine was introduced to the Civic lineup.

Compression in the Civic GX is 12.5:1. This is to accommodate the 130-octane natural gas that powers the car. Acceleration of the 2010 Civic GX is significantly less than that of the comparable 4-door 2010 LX model due to both lower power (113 hp vs. 140 hp) and heavier weight (2910 lbs vs 2652 lbs).[10][11] Zero-to-sixty times have been clocked at 12.6 seconds.[12]

The CNG cylinder (fuel tank) is carried in the trunk of the car and holds 8.0 GGE (Gasoline Gallon Equivalent) at 3600 psi.[10]

Range on a full 3600 psi fill is variable, depending on driving conditions and driving technique. While Honda claims an estimated 225–250 miles from a full CNG tank charge,[5] independent tests have found a lower ranges, at 180–200 miles[13] and "just over 200 miles".[14] The EPA rates the 2009 Honda Civic GX at 24 equivalent MPG city and 36 equivalent MPG highway.[15] Independent tests with mixed driving usage found rates of "nearly 32"[16] and 26.8[14] equivalent MPG. The estimated fuel cost for this vehicle to drive 25 miles for a combination of city and highway driving is $1.47 using CNG.[15] The GX qualifies for HOV Lane access in California.[17]

Home Refueling

Home refueling is available for the GX with the addition of the Phill Home Refueling Appliance. This unit attaches to a home or commercial natural gas source, and compresses the gas into the car's tank through an attached hose. The unit requires a 240V power source, and uses 800 watts when in operation. [18]

The Phill had been made by the Honda-controlled Canadian firm FuelMaker until April 2009, when Honda forced the company into receivership and manufacturing ceased.[19] By the end of May, FuelMaker's assets were sold to a New York-based company, Fuel Systems Solutions.[20] FSS intends to manufacture the Phill through its Italian subsidiary BRC under the new brand BRC FuelMaker, and market and service it in the US through the California-based company IMPCO.[21] While the date of availability and price have not been publicized, the product has been committed to be on the market in the near future.[22]

Controversy

Over the last few years, Honda has been deliberately suppressing the availability of the Civic GX.[19] Honda was also instrumental in sending FuelMaker, the supplier of Phill, into bankruptcy.[19] Reasons for both are not clear.[dubious – discuss]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Oklahoma is newest market for natural-gas burning Honda GX". AutoblogGreen. 2010-04-28. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
  2. ^ "1998 Civic GX Window Sticker"
  3. ^ "Sixth Biannual Report On The Early Action Compact For Northeast Texas", p.5.
  4. ^ "Natural Gas Myths", Myth 2.
  5. ^ a b "Civic GX FAQ"
  6. ^ "Motor Trend"
  7. ^ "Edmunds, Sept 2006"
  8. ^ "Honda Press Release: Honda Announces Natural Gas-Powered Civic GX on Sale At Retail Dealers in New York State", 19 October 2006
  9. ^ autoblog.com
  10. ^ a b "Civic GX Specifications"
  11. ^ "Civic LX Specifications"
  12. ^ reportermag.com review
  13. ^ "Consumer Reports, Feb 2008"
  14. ^ a b "Edmunds, Aug 2007"
  15. ^ a b "fueleconomy.gov"
  16. ^ "Consumer Reports, March 2008"
  17. ^ "CA HOV eligibility"
  18. ^ howstuffworks.com
  19. ^ a b c "Honda Suppresses GX Sales"
  20. ^ Fuel Systems Solutions Press Release, 28 May 2009
  21. ^ NGV News
  22. ^ IMPCO
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