Honda Civic (ninth generation)
The ninth generation Honda Civic was launched in the North American market in April 2011 and Europe in February 2012.
| Honda Civic Ninth generation (FB) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Production | 2011–present |
| Model years | 2012– |
| Assembly | Suzuka, Mie, Japan Wuhan, China Greensburg, Indiana, USA Alliston, Ontario, Canada Swindon, England, UK Gebze, Turkey Sumaré, Brazil |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact car |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Related | Acura ILX Honda CR-V |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.4L L13A i-VTEC SOHC I4 (European model only) 1.8L i-VTEC SOHC I4R18 2.4L K24Z7 i-VTEC DOHC I4 1.5L i-VTEC SOHC I4 {hybrid) 2.2 L N22 i-DTEC I4 turbodiesel (European model only) |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual CVT |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,595 mm (102.2 in) (hatchback) 2,670 mm (105.1 in) (sedan and hybrid) 2,620 mm (103.1 in) (coupe) |
| Length | 4,300 mm (169.3 in) (hatchback) 4,504 mm (177.3 in) (sedan and hybrid) 4,472 mm (176.1 in) (coupe) |
| Width | 1,770 mm (69.7 in) (hatchback) 1,755 mm (69.1 in) (sedan, coupe & hybrid) |
| Height | 1,590 mm (62.6 in) (hatchback) 1,435 mm (56.5 in) (sedan) 1,430 mm (56.3 in) (US hybrid) 1,397 mm (55.0 in) (US coupe) |
| Curb weight | 1,177–1,260 kg (2,595–2,778 lb) (coupe) 1,183–1,270 kg (2,608–2,800 lb) (sedan) 1,294–1,304 kg (2,853–2,875 lb) (hybrid) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Honda Civic (eighth generation) |
North American market
In May 2010, the ninth-generation Civic was said to be delayed into 2011, because of changing market conditions and tougher fuel economy and emissions regulations.[1]
The Civic was originally planned to become bigger, but after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the global credit crisis in 2008, Honda wanted to make the car smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient, while increasing space inside.[2]
On December 13 2010, Honda unveiled a sketch of the new ninth-generation Civic which was described as "energetic, sleek and aerodynamic." Both coupe and sedan concepts for the North American market were shown on January 10, 2011 at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. The production version of the ninth-generation Civic based on the revealed concepts will go on sale in spring 2011.[3] Gasoline, hybrid and natural gas variants will be offered. The gasoline-engined lineup includes a sedan and coupe. Both of them will be also offered in Si performance versions.[4]
The new model is believed to be slightly smaller and lighter than the outgoing models.[5] Honda's Eco Assist technology will be added to most models, and will become the first gasoline-only powered Honda to employ such technology in North America. It is an information system to help the driver adopt a more fuel-efficient driving style[4], and is proven to improve fuel economy by about 10% for Honda's hybrid vehicles in Japan.[6]
Gasoline (DX, LX, EX, and EX-L), hybrid and natural gas variants will be offered. The gasoline-engined lineup includes a sedan, coupe and two Si performance versions which also can be configured into a coupe and sedan. Honda has also released the Civic HF, which stands for High Fuel Economy, and is based on the new Civic Sedan. It's the first HF Honda since the defunct long-ago CR-X.[original research?] It features a 1.8 Liter Inline Four-Cylinder engine and a 5-Speed Automatic transmission like the regular gas-powered models, but it has been tuned so that it returns 41 highway miles per gallon (MPG), however, it still has desirable features like an A/M-F/M stereo system with a single-disc CD/MP3 player, four speakers, the Intelligent Multi Informational Display (iMID), sixteen-inch alloy wheels with fuel-saving tires, a deluxe cloth interior, and keyless entry with a security alarm. The HF also features an Eco Mode button that reduces torque and allows for better mileage. It comes in two colors, Polished Metal Metallic or Taffeta White Clear Coat with a Gray interior. The Civic GX NGV (Natural Gas Vehicle) will be available in late 2011. All models (except for the base model DX), will come with the Intelligent Multi Informational Display (iMiD) that displays information about the car, such as current odometer mileage, current trip mileage, current time and date, current fuel economy readout, audio information (radio station, CD track info, radio data system info, climate info, and more, and will also allow you to upload two photos to the internal storage unit that can be displayed when the audio system is powered off. The DX (base) model will not feature a radio, yet will feature audio pre-wiring with four speakers, so the iMiD cannot display properly, therefore, it is not equipped with this option.
The entire lineup of the ninth generation of Honda Civic is more fuel efficient. It is reported that two versions of the Civic are expected to attain mileage of 41 mpg‑US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg‑imp) (17.54 km/L) or above in U.S. government testing.[7]
A HF model, the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only powered Civic in the lineup, will get 41 mpg‑US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg‑imp) (17.54 km/L) under highway test cycle, compares with 36 mpg‑US (6.5 L/100 km; 43 mpg‑imp) (15.38 km/L) for previous generation, increasing the combined fuel economy rating to 33 mpg‑US (7.1 L/100 km; 40 mpg‑imp) (14.08 km/L).[8][9]
The Civic hybrid, with a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and a lithium-ion battery, is rated at 44 mpg‑US (5.3 L/100 km; 53 mpg‑imp) in combined city and highway EPA test cycle, an improvement of 3 mpg‑US (3.6 mpg‑imp) over the previous generation hybrid.[9]
Both the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models have improved aerodynamics and Honda ECO Assist technology.[7]
Other gasoline-only powered Civic sedans and coupes are expected to get 39 mpg‑US (6.0 L/100 km; 47 mpg‑imp) in highway tests, an improvement of 3 mpg‑US (78 L/100 km; 3.6 mpg‑imp) over previous generation while 28 mpg‑US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg‑imp) is expected for city driving. The Civic GX natural gas model will have a 7% improvement in fuel economy. The above models are also equipped with the Honda ECO Assist technology.[7]
The Civic Si sedan and coupe models have a larger, more powerful 2.4-liter inline-four engine with 201 hp (149 kW) and 170 lb-ft (230 N·m) of torque, as well as a new 6-speed manual transmission. The Civic Si is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 31 mpg‑US (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg‑imp), an increase of 2 mpg‑US (2.4 mpg‑imp).[7]
Vehicle color selections:
- Alabaster Silver Metallic
- Cool Mist Metallic
- Crimson Pearl
- Crystal Black Pearl
- Dyno Blue Pearl
- Green Opal Metallic (hybrid)
- Polished Metal Metallic
- Rallye Red
- Sunburst Orange Pearl
- Taffeta White
- Urban Titanium Metallic
In 2012, Honda recalled 50,000 2012 Civics because the process required during assembly to seat the driver's side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed.[10][11]
European market
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The Civic for European market was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011. Strong identity of the previous generation European Civic led Honda to refine the current package instead of radical changes.[12] Basic look and proportions of previous car are retained as the futuristic design was welcomed by customers. Aerodynamics, rear and side visibility are all improved. It is claimed to be the most aerodynamic car in its class, with a coefficient of 0.27. Initial engine line-up consists of revised 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre petrol units and 2.2 i-DTEC diesel unit, with better performance, economy and CO2 emissions. A newly designed 1.6-litre diesel unit will follow later in 2012. The wheelbase is 30mm shorter without a decrease of interior space. Retaining the compact torsion beam rear suspension and the centrally mounted fuel tank help contribute to a boot capacity of 470 litres. More than 20,000 miles of testing was carried out on British roads for better handling and ride quality. The rear beam axle is completely redesigned for higher stiffness, and new fluid-filled bushing is used to improve stability and cornering ability, as well as ride quality. There are more standard equipment and higher interior quality.
As Honda's Research and Development Centre at Tochigi, Japan was damaged in the March 2011 earthquake, designers of the European Civic were transferred to the Swindon plant in the UK, where all European Civic hatchbacks are built, to ensure the development is not delayed.[13] Production at Swindon, UK, was disrupted by supply chain disruption caused by the 2011 Japanese tsunami and flooding in Thailand. Normal production of Civic did not started until December 2011, delaying the new Civic to be available on market only from February 2012.[14]
Motorsport
WTCC
Honda announced to enter the 2012 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) with a racer built on the 2012 Euro Civic 5 door hatchback. The car is powered by a 1.6-liter direct injection turbocharged engine that is developed by Honda, and will race from October in Japan, China and Macau before a two car team join the 2013 championship race.[15][16]
References
- ^ MARK RECHTIN (2010-05-17). "Honda delays Civic redesign". Autoweek.
- ^ Michael Bettencourt (2009-10-29). "Next Honda Civic will be delayed". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ "The 2012 Honda Civic". Honda.
- ^ a b "Honda Civic Si Concept coupe and Civic Concept sedan debut at NAIAS; hybrid and natural gas variants". Green Car Congress. 2011-01-12.
- ^ Tony Swan. "Honda Civic Si Coupe and Civic Sedan Concepts - Auto Shows". Car and Driver.
- ^ "Honda Study Finds Insight's Eco Assist System Results in Average 10% Improvement in Fuel Economy After 300 Drives, Up to 20% Max". Green Car Congress. 2010-02-12.
- ^ a b c d "New 2012 Honda Civic lineup boosts fuel economy in all models; Hybrid and HF offer 40+ mpg". Green Car Congress. 2011-02-18.
- ^ Alan Ohnsman (2011-02-17). "Honda Plans 41-MPG Civic HF to Regain Small Car Efficiency Lead". Bloomberg.
- ^ a b . 2011-05-24 http://www.fueleconomy.gov.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Driveshaft Defect Prompts Recall of 50,000 Honda Civics From 2012".
- ^ Anita Lienert (Jun 13, 2012). "2012 Honda Civic Recalled Because Driveshaft May Separate". Edmunds Insideline.
- ^ Mark Tisshaw and Jim Holder (Sep 12, 2011). "Frankfurt show – Honda Civic". Autocar.
- ^ Andrew Charman (2011-04-09). "Honda acts to protect Civic reveal". Car and Van News.
- ^ "Honda UK to resume full production". AutoCar. Nov 28 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Steven Ewing (Feb 3, 2012). "Honda to enter World Touring Car Championship with new Civic". Autoblog.
- ^ "Honda to take on Toyota with GT300 hybrid". Racecar Engineering. Feb 4, 2012.
