Honda Cars : Honda Civic remains number one | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

2012 Honda Civic Si HFP package

Iconic vehicle continues its sales success despite increased pressure from others in the segment

By Alan McPhee, The Daily NewsMay 3, 2012

 

While the Honda Civic has been the top selling car in Canada for the past 14 years, it has come under significant pressure from newcomers like the Chevy Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus. Given the unprecedented problems caused by last year's tsunami, the subsequent earthquake in Japan and the resulting loss of production, it would be understandable if the completely redesigned, 2012, ninth generation Civic lost some momentum coming out of the gate. That was the big question. No problem; the Civic continues in first place and looks like a sure bet to stay there. Having set the pace in compact sedan design, performance and affordability for so long, the new 2012 model has, very sensibly, taken those attributes as a starting point to build on.

Stylistically the new model bears the unmistakable Civic 'look' but with a number of subtle refinements. The sloping hood is longer with a smaller grille opening while the A pillars, supporting the windshield are thinner, providing better forward vision when turning. The front, integrated bumper is reshaped with a shallower air intake and flanking fog lamp pods. Compared to the previous model, the new profile has a more aggressive, pitched-forward look with a roofline that is more coupe than sedan. While overall length and height remain unchanged, Honda designers managed to add some width to the body providing more shoulder room for front and three rear seat occupants (three children would be quite comfortable, three adults not so much).

For 2012, the Civic Sedan comes in 6 flavours: DX (starting at $16,485), LX, EX, EX-L, Si and Hybrid while the coupe is available in LX (starting at $19,375) EX, EX-L and Si models. All models - except Si - come with Honda's 140 horsepower, 1.8-litre DOHC, four-cylinder engine and standard five-speed manual transmission (except EX-L) or optional five-speed Automatic. The high performance Si models up the ante with the 201 horsepower, 2.4-litre DOHC, four-cylinder engine and six-speed, close ratio manual transmission.

Our tester was the Civic Coupe EX-L with navigation system, and standard five speed automatic, finished in taffeta white with grey leather trimmed seats. Slightly shorter than the sedan, the Coupe features a shorter, steeply raked hood with a deeper, lower air intake and 16-inch, 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. The cockpit features the Civic's unique two-tier, i-MID (intelligent Multi-Informational Display) dashboard.

The upper tier is positioned at eye level as before, with a bold digital speedometer reading directly above the lower level analog tachometer. New for 2012 is the additional readout to the right of the digital speedometer with an analog clock plus digital readout for time, date, day and year plus all the trip functions like odometer readings, instant and average fuel economy, ambient temperature, and range. The i-MID is your "mission control" for Bluetooth, hands-free connectivity, accessing your phone book, streaming your playlist, plugging in your MP3 device and using the bi-lingual, voice-activated Navigation System. More importantly, virtually all this information can now be controlled by fingertip steering wheel controls.

The centre stack houses the 6.5-inch screen for the Navigation and premium 360-watt, sevenspeaker Audio System consisting of AM/FM/CD/ WMA and 3 months complimentary XM Satellite Radio. Conventional controls for the multi-mode Heating and A/C functions are positioned below.

The cabin is finished in a pleasing mix of charcoal, black and grey surfaces complemented by the Grey Leather upholstery and brushed metal trim for the main gauges, secondary switchgear and steering wheel controls. Fit and finish is excellent and all the controls have a pleasing tactile feel.

The manually-adjustable, heated front bucket seats provide excellent under-thigh and torso support with height and lumbar control for the driver while the front passenger seat folds and slides forward at a touch to provide easy access to the rear seats.

Acceleration is prompt thanks to the drive-bywire throttle control and the re-engineered fivespeed Overdrive Automatic with 100 km/h coming up in under 9.0 seconds. With four-wheel independent suspension featuring variable, gas-filled struts up front and a multi-link, double wishbone set up at the rear plus front and rear stabilizer bars, I expected a stiffer ride. But while the ride is sedanlike, the Coupe carves its way around corners accurately thanks to the precise, electric variableassist, rack-and-pinion steering. Better mid-range torque also adds to the improved performance across the board.

The five-speed automatic provides seamless shifts and with its Grade Logic Control, automatically holds lower gears for long hill climbs or descents. In Drive, the engine is just loafing along at 2000 rpm and using only 5.0 L/100 km (56 mpg), down from 5.7 L/100 km (50 mpg) in the previous model. Want to save even more? Push that green ECO button on the dash and the Civic will shortshift gears and monitor fuel flow to use even less gasoline. Four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes (ventilated front and solid rear) with ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist provide confident and controlled stops. Traction Control prevents acceleration slippage and VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) corrects understeer (when front wheels drift wide) and oversteer (when the rear wheels slide out).

Standard equipment includes all the usual power amenities and remote keyless entry; power door locks and windows with driver one-touch up/down; power glass moonroof; heated, power outside mirrors; CFC-free A/C with air filter; remote trunk and fuel door releases and anti-theft security system. Multi-stage front seat airbags, side seat airbags and side curtain airbags take care of security along with the LATCH system for child seat anchors.

"The 2012 Civic is a better buy than ever," says Paul Robson of Nanaimo Honda. "It's better equipped, more fun to drive, gets better fuel economy and it's more affordable than ever."

- Alan McPhee is a Canadian automotive journalist and is former editor of Carguide Magazine. His articles appear each week in this space.

BOTTOM LINE
Type: FWD compact couple
Engine: 1.8-litre, SOHC I4
Horsepower: 140@6,500 rpm
Torque: 128 ft-lb@4300 rpm
Fuel economy: city-7.2L/100 km; highway - 5.0L/100km
Base price: $24,890
Price as tested: $26,285
 

Source;

http://www.canada.com/cars/Honda+Civic+remains+number/6557819/story.html

Honda Cars : The 2012 Honda Civic will be the first car to get the Earth Dreams 1.6 Liter i-DTEC turbo diesel engine | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Again, not for us in North America....

Honda has a top priority Earth Dreams project that it has had running at its Japan research and development center for a while now. The project we’re talking about involves the development of a range of new generation turbodiesel engines that the Japanese automaker will use in its future products, as it seeks to improve market share in times when diesel engines cars are become more and more preferred by car buyers across the world for their high fuel economy and low CO2 emissions.

The first engine that Honda has spawned out of its Earth Dreams turbodiesel engine project will power the upcoming 2012 Honda Civic Sedan. This turbo diesel engine displaces 1.6 liters and comes in an inline four cylinder layout. The 1.6 Liter i-DTEC engine pumps out a peak power of 120 Bhp generated at a low 4,000 rpm while the peak torque of 300 Nm generated at 2,000 rpm talks the loudest, with it being a class leading figure considering the i-DTEC engine’s displacement.

This apart, the other big story surrounding the 1.6 Liter i-DTEC turbo diesel engine is the low carbon dioxide emission level, which at 95 grams/Km is outstanding. Also, the Honda i-DTEC engine is said to be the world’s lightest aluminium open deck 1.6-liter diesel engine due to the use of strong yet light weight materials in its construction. The 1.6 Liter i-DTEC engine will be manufactured at Honda’s UK plant at the end of 2012.

In due course of time, expect this very engine to arrive into India as Honda desperately needs a diesel engine in its portfolio to survive and thrive in the Indian car market, which has migrated to the more fuel efficient diesel engined cars due to the prices of the non-subsidized petrol rising even as diesel remains the overwhelmingly cheaper alternative due to the Indian government subsidizing it.

Source;

http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/2012-honda-civic-1-6-liter-i-dtec-turbo-diesel-engine-geneva-motor-show-56785/

Honda Cars : New Honda Civic BTCC Race Car Starts Testing | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The Honda Racing Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will begin putting the new Civic hatch designated Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) through its first trials in public today at the famous Brands Hatch. At the wheel will be Gordon ‘Flash’ Shedden and triple-BTCC champion Matt Neal, getting a feel for the car ahead of the season’s start on April 1st.

“This is the first opportunity we have had to get behind the wheel to really see what the car has got. The team are really pleased with the results from the test at MIRA last week and I can’t wait to finally start putting the car through its paces,” says driver Matt Neal. “It will be interesting to see how the car performs, but I’m optimistic that we’ll walk away from today confident we have a championship winning car.”

“The feedback on the new Civic NGTC car so far is incredibly promising and I’ve been itching to get into the car since the end of the 2011 season. Like Matt mentioned, this is the first time we have had to really push the car and I’m looking forward to putting it into action,” adds Gordon Shedden.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/new-honda-civic-btcc-race-car-starts-testing-42810.html

Honda Cars : 2012 Euro Civic TV Advertisement | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda Cars : Honda Civic Named to About.com's Best New Cars of 2012 List | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

01/11/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today that the 2012 Honda Civic has been named as one of About.com Cars' Best New Cars of 2012.

"Ranging from a gas-sipping hybrid to a kick-in-the-pants Si, the Civic lineup provides a variety of fun, fuel-efficient options to satisfy a wide range of customers," said Michael Accavitti, vice president of marketing operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We are thrilled to receive this award that recognizes the many advantages of the Civic."

In describing the award-winning Civic, About.com's Aaron Gold called the 2012 Civic hands-down the most comprehensive compact car on the market. "You can get a sedan or a coupe; a high-fuel-efficiency version; a high-performance version; a leather-lined version; a hybrid version; even an alternative-fuel version that runs on clean natural gas," Gold said. "And whichever Civic you choose, you're virtually guaranteed years of trouble-free motoring."

The award from About.com adds to the 2012 Honda Civic's growing list of accolades that include being named Green Car of the Year (Civic Natural Gas), capturing Best Resale Value for a Compact Car by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, and earning a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick.
About.com is one of the largest providers of original content on the web, with over 60 million unique visitors per month in the United States.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/honda-civic-named-to-about-com-s-best-new-cars-of-2012-list

Honda Cars : Report: Honda Will Revise Sales Forecasts Up While It Revises Civic | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Ben Timmons
Honda’s not taking its recent Civic-related setbacks quietly, and it certainly isn’t giving up in the face of natural disasters, supply problems, and cheap plastics: the company is shooting to increase sales by 24 percent next year.

Automotive News reports that Tetsuo Iwamura, the President and CEO of American Honda, is predicting a 24 percent increase next year in sales, as the company works to upgrade and fix its 2012 Civic coupe and sedan. If Honda can pull off both of these ideas well, it would spell a great 2012 for a company that struggled through 2011. Its Civic sedan is down 13 percent thanks to inventory problems and quality problems, and the whole nameplate is off 5.3 percent year-to-date.

Keep in mind, also, that Honda was one of the hardest-hit Japanese automakers in last March’s Great East Japan Earthquake, and it continued to suffer during the Thai floods later this year. Sales of Honda’s hybrids, which are either produced in Japan or rely on Japanese parts, were down 53 percent in November 2011 from the same period in 2010.

Still, Honda hopes that its product portfolio will carry it to victory next year, as it pushes the one-two punch of natural disasters further and further in the rearview mirror. It is looking to replenish dwindling inventories of the Civic as it readies the update, and along with the all-new CR-V, sell roughly 1.25 million Hondas in 2012.

It’s a lofty goal, but we’ll see just how attainable it is in the coming months.

Source;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/report-honda-will-revise-sales-forecasts-up-while-it-revises-civic-96285.html

Honda Cars : Consumer Reports Gives the Honda Civic Si a “Recommended” Rating | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Just when Honda announced it is developing a revised Civic for the 2013MY that will be launched in the U.S. in late 2012, Consumer Reports, the publication that started the storm of negative publicity on Honda’s compact model, has awarded the Si version with a “Recommended” on its latest report.

CR still stands by its original verdict on the base 2012 Civic when it stated, “while other models like the Hyundai Elantra have gotten better after being redesigned, the Honda Civic has dropped so much that now it ranks near the bottom of its category.”

The difference is that the model tested this time is the sportier Si version fitted with the more powerful 2.4-liter engine. According to the test results, it earned a notably better score than the basic model and as a result, CR says it now recommends the Si.

Most of the improvements are due to the 201HP engine, which CR says offers “terrific acceleration” at high rpm and at the same time, more low-end torque, as well as the "slick shifting" six-speed manual gearbox. The publication also notes that the Si returned "a very good" combined fuel economy of 29 mpg.

On the other hand, CR repeats that the Si suffers from the same cheap plastics, harsh ride, noisy cabin and vague steering as the basic versions, which placed the base Civic at second-to-last place. The Civic Si ranked 9th out of 11 tested models in Consumer Reports' sporty car category.

"The Civic Si has a great powertrain, but it needs a better car wrapped around it," said David Champion, sr. director of Consumer Reports Automotive Test Center.

Source;
http://www.carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/consumer-reports-gives-honda-civic-si.html

Honda Cars : Despite Thai floods, Honda tells dealers 2012 CR-V will launch on time | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Automotive News reports that the 2012 Honda CR-V will, in fact, launch on schedule. Honda has reportedly told its dealers that the crossover will arrive on time despite initial concerns about the impact of Thai floods on the vehicle's production. Honda had originally cautioned that the vehicle may be delayed by several weeks due to a shortage of components produced in Thailand. That crisis has apparently been avoided.

The 2012 Civic wasn't so fortunate. Weather delays related to the tsunami and flood disasters in Japan resulted in a production shortage for the new compact that hampered the model's launch.

Even with the CR-V arriving on dealer lots as scheduled, Honda is still cutting back production to cope with component shortages. In a separate report, Automotive News says that the company is temporarily adjusting manufacturing at its six plants in the United States and Canada as a result of flooding in Thailand. Some of the facilities will operate at above the 50 percent capacity Honda originally forecasted when it became clear that the company's suppliers would be impacted by the weather. The slow-down is expected to stretch until November 25 in Canada and November 23 in the States.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/09/despite-thai-floods-honda-tells-dealers-2012-cr-v-will-launch-o/

Honda Cars : First Drive: 2012 Honda Civic European-Spec | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

It's Different, but Is It Better?November 07, 2011 / By Paul Horrell
The new Ford Focus and Honda Civic went on sale at roughly the same time, aiming at roughly the same buyers -- but the two were designed with entirely different global philosophies. Thanks to One Ford, the Focus is largely interchangeable in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. Honda, meanwhile, has continued the split-design policy started with the previous-gen Civic. As such, the European model has very little in common with the one sold in the States and elsewhere.

For starters, the European Civic is a hatchback, not a sedan. It has entirely different exterior sheetmetal, rear suspension, and interior. It even has different front frame rails to make space for Europe's bulky 2.2-liter diesel engine.

Because it hasn't gotten into bed with any other car company, Honda is now in the second tier, size-wise. This separation of platforms must therefore count as a scarily expensive decision. Is it worth it?

Certainly the Euro-Civic has a unique selling proposition. As with the Jazz/Fit, the fuel tank is under the front seats. The rear suspension uses a simple, compact torsion beam layout rather than double wishbones, giving the Civic remarkable versatility. There's nothing but fresh air under the rear seats, so you can flip the cushions up against the backrest like in a movie theater, giving a wide floor-to-roof cave that can easily fit a bicycle upright. Even with rear passengers, the trunk is super-deep.

But let's face it, if cargo space is that important, there are plenty of other options, like one of the micro-minivans that are all over the roads in Europe. If the rest of the Civic doesn't have enough engaging characteristics, flip-up rear cushions aren't going to save it.

Cosmetically, this brand-new Euro Civic is an update of the car it replaces. It develops the same styling form, a sort of one-box that tends to the pyramid-shaped, but it's slightly lower than last time, and has a wave-like crease along the sides plus a black goatee at the front.

On the powertrain side, Honda hasn't done enough. Although the automaker used to be regarded as one of the world's most progressive engine-makers, these days it looks out of step with the European market. European buyers are busily downsizing, and gasoline engines in this category tend to be torque-rich direct-injection turbos such as the Ford Ecoboost or Mini 1.6s, or even a 1.2 and 1.4 from Volkswagen. Honda is sticking with port-injected 1.4 and 1.8 VTECs. The 1.4 makes a scant 94 lb-ft. Meh.

At the same time, Honda's diesel is the opposite: It's too big and powerful. Europe's compact car diesels are usually around 1.6 or 1.8 liters in size. Honda's is 2.2-liters, making it an expensive engine for the market. Still, Honda has at least found ways to eke out the fuel consumption -- the reason diesels proliferate. For this size of car, it now balances performance and economy in an attractive fashion. Economy is a bit better than average, and performance is much better than average.

It's not just engine improvements that make these economy gains. Honda obsessed on aerodynamics, both in the body shape and the details. There's an active shutter arrangement for the radiator grille, so that at speed when cooling air isn't needed in quantity, the grille shuts off for smoother airflow over the car. The tail has several small spoilers and fillets to clean air detachment and cut turbulence. More gain came from an idle-stop system. And weight hasn't risen, despite better equipment.

Yes, this is a good engine to use, with a wide spread of torque and decent refinement. Use the sweet six-speed stick sensibly and the rated acceleration (0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds) translates through the major-league torque into muscular passing and corner-exit acceleration.

The previous Civic was set up with a jittery ride and sharp steering. Fun, but tiring on a long trip. It didn't suit the buyers - families, commuters, and business travelers who spend a lot of time on highways. So Honda used the model change to uprate the NVH isolation. It went back to the source with, among other measures, new fluid-filled bushings for the rear suspension. Even more significant, the springs have been softened off. The Euro Civic now has a decently pliant and quiet ride, a contrast to the criticisms leveled at the U.S. version.

Of course, this means extra body lean, but in general the motions when cornering feel well-controlled. The real downer is a new EPS system, which is soggy and lacks road feel through curves. The simplicity of the rear suspension probably doesn't help. Still, the steering does have good straight-line stability and easy placement in urban driving. And it saves fuel versus the old hydraulic system. See where Honda's priorities are?

Honda did consider moving the European and American Civics closer together with this generation, but as the project went along they drifted apart again. There's a lot to like about the Euro car, and its character seems very different from the U.S. one. But both of them seem, in different ways, to have needed a bit more money spent on them. Maybe a single world-car program would have been the way to do it.

Source;
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1111_2012_honda_civic_european_spec_first_drive/printer_friendly.html

Honda Cars : Honda: Dealer Inventory of 2012 Honda Civic Is Virtually Zero | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Just the Facts:
-Sales of the 2012 Honda Civic appear to be stalled, with the Japanese automaker reporting that October sales of the Civic were down 2 percent.
-Honda says it's because dealer inventory is "virtually zero" due to natural disasters in Asia, including the Japan earthquake and tsunami in March and recent flooding in Thailand.
-"Dealers can't sell cars that they don't have on their lots," a Honda spokeswoman told Inside Line on Thursday.

TORRANCE, California — Sales of the 2012 Honda Civic appear to be stalled, with the Japanese automaker reporting this week that October sales of the Civic were down 2 percent.

Honda tells Inside Line that it's not because the redesigned small car, which debuted with much hoopla at the 2011 New York Auto Show, is not resonating with buyers or needs better direction with advertising or social media efforts. The Japanese automaker says it's because dealer inventory is "virtually zero" due to natural disasters in Asia, including the Japan earthquake and tsunami in March and recent flooding in Thailand.

"Dealers can't sell cars that they don't have on their lots," said Gina Jorge, assistant manager for American Honda Motor Co. public relations in response to an e-mailed query from Inside Line on Thursday. "In fact, most dealers are selling Civics nearly as fast as they receive them."

On November 1 Honda said Civic posted October sales of 16,173, down 1.9 percent from the previous October. It sold 480 units of the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, a decline of 24.7 percent from the previous October.

Honda reported year-to-date Civic sales of 183,557 versus 215,393 in the same period in 2010. But it is unclear how many of the 183,557 were 2012 Civics. The various models of the 2012 Civic have been gradually rolled out this year. The sedan, coupe and hybrid versions debuted on April 20; the Civic HF debuted on May 10; the Civic Si coupe and sedan debuted on May 24 and the Civic Natural Gas model debuted on October 18.

Honda said it does not break out sales by model year and does not break out sales by various models with the exception of the Civic Hybrid. It has projected sales of approximately 2,000 Civic Natural Gas models per year in the near term, double the amount sold in recent years.

"Civic sales are down for one simple reason," wrote Chuck Schifsky, an American Honda Motor Co. spokesman in response to the e-mailed query from Inside Line. "Low dealer inventory as a result of a shortage of small parts caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake earlier this year which nearly halted production of the 2012 Civic."

Schifsky noted that flooding in Thailand "will cause another disruption in production."

"It's still too early to say how deeply this will impact production of the '12 Civic," he added. "But because dealer inventory of Civics is virtually zero and dealers are selling the few Civics they are getting almost as soon as the cars arrive, any disruption in Civic production will not help the situation."

He added: "We need to build more Civics and get them to our dealers. This is a supply problem, not a demand problem. There just aren't any Civics on dealer lots."

When the Japan earthquake hit, production of the Civic was just ramping up. Approximately 90 percent of the vehicles Honda sells in North America are built in North America, according to the automaker. The bulk of Civic models, including the sedan, are built in Greensburg, Indiana. Honda began a second production shift last week there, which boosts production to its full 200,000-unit annual capacity.

"While the majority of the parts are sourced in North America, there are a small number of parts that are sourced from Japan," Schifsky wrote. "This is what caused the vehicle shortage."

Honda announced earlier this week that flooding in Thailand will cause another disruption in production, likely delaying the debut of the 2012 Honda CR-V.

"It's still too early to say how deeply this will impact production of the '12 Civic," Schifsky said.
Inside Line says: Earthquakes and floods mean the 2012 Honda Civic is off to a rocky start in the marketplace.

Source;
http://www.insideline.com/honda/civic/2012/honda-dealer-inventory-of-2012-honda-civic-is-virtually-zero.html

Honda Cars : 2012 Honda Civic 5-door Euro-spec in detail [video] | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda has released new information about the 2012 Civic (Euro-spec).

Designed for maximum efficiency, the car has an aerodynamic shape with a lower front fascia, streamlined mirrors and drag-optimized taillights. Compared to the previous model, the car is 10mm wider and 20mm lower. This gives the vehicle an aggressive stance which can be augmented by 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the cabin is outfitted with 'soft touch' plastics, a redesigned steering wheel and a touchscreen infotainment system. Other highlights include Bluetooth connectivity, additional sound deadening material and a boot that holds 401 liters (14.2 cubic feet) of luggage.

Under the hood, three engines are available. The 1.4-liter i-VTEC produces 100 PS (73 kW / 98 hp) and 127 Nm (94 lb-ft) of torque. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes 13.4 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 187 km/h (116 mph). While it won't win any races, the car averages 5.4 L/100km (52.3 mpg imp) with CO2 emissions of 129 g/km.

For added performance, the 1.8-liter i-VTEC develops 142 PS (104 kW / 139 hp) and 174 Nm (128 lb-ft) of torque. It allows the car to run from 0-100 km/h in 9.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). In terms of efficiency, owners can expect to average 5.8 L/100km (48.7 mpg imp) with CO2 emissions of 137 g/km.

Lastly, the 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel has 150 PS (110 kW / 148 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. With this engine, the dash to 100 km/h takes 8.5 seconds and the top speed is 217 km/h (135 mph). Despite being the fastest model available, the car is relatively fugal as it consumes 4.2 L/100km (67.2 mpg imp) while emitting 110 g/km.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111103137781/2012-honda-civic-5-door-euro-spec-in-detail-video#ixzz1cSe8AOEb

Honda Cars : UK 2012 Honda Civic Review | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Our verdict on the new Honda Civic – and better efficiency and toned-down looks give hatch added appeal

By Jo Oliveira

The new ninth-generation Honda Civic is more civilised than ever, with improved refinement, toned-down styling and lower running costs. Honda has sold more than 650,000 Civics in the UK since 1973, so the arrival of an all-new version of the Ford Focus rival, built in Swindon, Wiltshire, is big news – and we’ve driven it.

The design represents a gentle evolution rather than the radical overhaul introduced by the old car. It won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but is still sure to get you noticed. The new Civic is 2cm lower, 1cm wider and 3cm longer than before, but a shorter wheelbase leaves it with much longer overhangs.

Other novelties include the high-mounted tail-lamp clusters, the daylight running LEDs and the active grille shutter on diesel models. The light strip spoiler, which bisects the back window, is set 20mm lower than before and a rear wiper has been added, too.

Inside, there’s slightly less space in the rear, although adults still have plenty of head and legroom. The boot is eight litres smaller than before, at 478 litres, but that’s still class-leading. Honda’s flexible seat layout is carried over, allowing you to fold the rear bench flat or fix the seats vertically, freeing up space to slot in bulky objects through the rear doors.

From the driver’s seat, visibility is improved thanks to thinner A-pillars, but the spilt screen still hampers the view to the rear. The dash layout has grown up, too, with the confusing digital dials from the old car making way for a cleaner, more logical design.

Quality has taken a leap with soft-touch materials added everywhere except on the top of the instrument panel. The driver’s seat has better lateral support and now features a pneumatic lumbar support which will be useful on long journeys.

It doesn’t take long behind the wheel to realise Honda’s focus was to improve refinement. The suspension bushes are now filled with fluid, rather than rubber, so the ride is more comfortable, while reinforced door sills and thicker front windows help keep engine noise and tyre roar at bay.
The Civic’s relaxing character is helped by the light steering, which is ideal around town, and a more direct ratio means it’s accurate and quick when you up the pace.

The initial engine line-up will be familiar to owners of the current Civic, although stop-start has been added across the range. The 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre petrol engines have the same outputs as the current model – 99bhp and 140bhp respectively – while the 2.2-litre diesel in the car we drove has been given a more thorough makeover. Power is up by 10bhp and torque by 10Nm, to 148bhp and 350Nm, and fuel economy rises 18 per cent to 67.3mpg.

The large-capacity four-cylinder diesel remains one of the best engines around. It pulls hard from low revs, spins smoothly and has plenty of performance.

Despite being the most expensive option, Honda predicts this engine will be its biggest seller here – at least until a smaller 120bhp 1.6-litre diesel, with less than 100g/km of CO2, arrives this time next year.

For an alternative review of the latest Honda Civic visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/274567/new_honda_civic.html

Honda Cars : Honda rushes Civic refresh in wake of criticism | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By: Mark Rechtin, Automotive News on 10/31/2011
Because of the chilly reception this year for its redesigned 2012 Civic, which was universally panned for its cheap, hard-plastic instrument panel and center console, Honda is moving more quickly than planned on some mid-cycle changes.

"We take feedback seriously, regardless of who it's from, and we will act accordingly quickly," John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president, said in an interview.

The mid-cycle update normally would occur in spring 2014. But Mendel said the change could occur sometime in 2013.

Honda was in the midst of redesigning the Civic when the global economy imploded in 2009. Honda Motor Co. CEO Takanobu Ito stopped the redesign in its tracks, approved shortening the wheelbase and reducing content to appeal to budget-conscious consumers.

Reviewers chastised Honda for its penny-pinching ways after it debuted in April. Consumer Reports removed the Civic from its "recommended" list for the first time in memory, calling it "cheap" and "insubstantial." A recent Wall Street Journal review called it "a betrayal."

For the car that leads the compact segment in retail sales--and is Honda's bread and butter--those words are damning when competitive entries from Ford, Hyundai and Chevrolet have shown major improvement.

"I don't know how much we can do, and how quickly," said Mendel at the media launch of the redesigned 2012 CR-V crossover. "But the comments of Consumer Reports and our customers have not gone unnoticed. We are appropriately energized."

The launch was severely disrupted by the Japan earthquake on March 11. Dealers held blowout sales of the outgoing Civic in March and April but allocations were slow in coming.

Still, the Civic was the most shopped nameplate in June, in the thick of the car's marketing launch, according to the consulting firm Compete Automotive. But the spike was surprisingly short-lived, and shopper volume declined quickly--"atypical for Honda in particular," the Compete report said.

The downgrade by Consumer Reports likely played a role in the diminished interest, Compete said.

Source;
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111031/CARNEWS/111039993#ixzz1cMnFOVjp

Honda Cars : Honda cranks up output as auto sector sees comeback | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The engine of the Ontario economy is starting to hum again, propelled mainly by a return to full production at Japanese auto makers’ plants.

Honda of Canada Manufacturing (HMC-N30.00-0.67-2.18%) in Alliston, Ont., said Wednesday that it will begin cranking out 1,600 vehicles a day in November, more than two years after it cut production during the recession and about eight months after it slashed output because of disruptions caused by the March 11 earthquake in Japan.

The two Honda plants in Alliston, located about 90 kilometres north of Toronto, will also operate on two Saturdays a month – likely until at least the end of the year – mainly to build more models of the compact Civic. The top-selling passenger car was redesigned for the 2012 model year, and production and sales were just starting to gear up when the earthquake created chaos in the supply chain and made it difficult for auto makers to get enough parts.

Honda’s move means that two-thirds of Canada’s car and light truck assembly plants will be running on overtime. That’s a major boost for a Canadian economy still in the midst of an anemic recovery from the recession and one in which gross domestic product fell by 0.4 per cent in the second quarter.

“The key point is that auto production did slow significantly in the summer and it did affect the overall economy, but now it is back in full swing,” said Carlos Gomes, a Bank of Nova Scotia economist who follows the auto industry closely.

There were signs in September that the worst had passed, noted industry analyst Dennis DesRosiers, president of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc., of Richmond Hill, Ont.

Car production at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TM-N66.91-0.43-0.64%) in Cambridge, Ont., rose 19 per cent that month from year-earlier levels, Mr. DesRosiers said, compared with a 6.2-per-cent decline in the first nine months of the year.

Since then, Toyota’s other plant in Woodstock, Ont., has returned to a full, two-shift operation and is also working overtime to boost output of the RAV4 crossover.

Nonetheless, when compared with vehicle production in the United States and Mexico, “we’ve been the laggard all year and remained so in September,” Mr. DesRosiers said.

While the assembly industry is located entirely in Ontario and most of the supply base is in that province as well, the production rebound will also contribute to national economic growth, Mr. Gomes said.

The rebound will add almost a full percentage point to the annual growth rate in the fourth quarter, he said. His forecast is that the economy will grow by 1.2 per cent this quarter.

Japan-based auto makers want to increase their inventories, which stood at just 40 days of supply in the U.S. market in September, compared with the usual figure of about 60 days. In addition, U.S. sales jumped by a surprising 10 per cent in September. That means all auto makers want to make sure they have enough vehicles on U.S. dealers’ lots in the fourth quarter.

The U.S. market is the destination for 80 per cent of the Civics, Acura MDX and ZDX models that roll off the Alliston assembly lines.

The shortage of Civics since March means there are several thousand back orders for the car at Canadian dealerships, Jerry Chenkin, executive vice-president of Honda Canada Inc. told reporters at the Alliston plant on Wednesday. Some customers have been waiting as long as 45 days, he said, but the increase in production should cut that to 30 days.

The Civic has been the best-selling passenger car in Canada for the past 13 years and led the second-place Hyundai Elantra by 1,122 vehicles at the end of September, despite a 12-per-cent sales decline in the first nine months of 2011.

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/honda-cranks-up-output-as-auto-sector-sees-comeback/article2206417/

Honda Cars : Honda Civic Canada's best-selling car, for now | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I am shocked that the Civic is still number 1 considering we don't even have any 2012 Civic's on our lot that aren't sold! The lack of stock (due to the disaster in Japan) have wreaked havok on supply of these cars, I would say that if we actually had the cars available to sell that the Civic would be #1 by a landslide....
The Honda Civic is still Canada's best-selling passenger car, but could soon lose that title to Hyundai's fast-charging Elantra, industry figures show.

Sales data from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants show that the Civic was the most popular car in Canada last month and for the first nine months of the year.

But Civic sales slumped more than 20 per cent last month and are down almost 12 per cent year-to-date.

The Korean-made Elantra, on the other hand, is enjoying double-digit increases, with sales this year up almost 35 per cent.

It isn't just the Civic that has recorded slower sales. Sales of the two other traditionally big-selling Japanese models — the Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla — are all down significantly.
"The three Japanese models are all struggling," says auto analyst Dennis DesRosiers. "Some of this is due to supply issues related to the tsunami, but also with the increased competitiveness from the Koreans and Detroit-based brands."

DesRosiers says the Chevrolet Cruze has entered the top 10 list because General Motors has been "reasonably successful picking up entry level share with the Cruze."

Volkswagen's Jetta has also made an appearance in the top 10. "VW has positioned and priced the Jetta to be more of a mass appeal vehicle and are having considerable success with this strategy," DesRosiers writes.

In the light truck market, the best-selling vehicles continue to be Ford's F-Series pickups — well ahead of the No. 2 Dodge Ram. But DesRosiers notes that Ram sales are up more than 14 per cent this year, which he attributes to Chrysler being "very aggressive with incentives in this segment."

Total vehicle sales in Canada in the nine months ending Sept. 30 came to 1,224,149. That's up 1.5 per cent from the same period last year.

Source;
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/10/17/best-selling-cars.html

Honda Cars : Honda Civic Type R is back | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Hot hatch Honda legend is set to return – and the new Civic Type R will have a turbo engine
The next Honda Civic Type R will not only be the fastest version yet – it’s tipped to be Honda’s first-ever turbo road car. And our sources in Japan say tuning expert Mugen is already well underway with development.

The Type R has already achieved cult status in the UK – Europe’s biggest hot hatch market – thanks to its combination of a high-revving naturally aspirated engine and aggressive styling. But in order to meet emissions regulations, this latest model will tweak the formula slightly.

Instead of the previous 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, it will use a 2.0-litre turbo designed to comply with Euro V emissions regulations. A similar engine will feature in Honda’s 2012 British Touring Car Championship challenger.

Adding a turbo will give more torque lower in the rev range, so a higher gear can be used more often to boost efficiency. Stop-start is also likely to be fitted.

Just as VW hiked power with its latest Golf GTI, so Honda will increase the Type R’s output – but not by much. A figure of 210bhp would allow a 0-62mph time of less than 6.5 seconds and a top speed approaching 150mph.

Based on the new Civic seen at last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Type R gets the standard car’s front grille, slim headlights and LED daytime running lights, although most of the bodywork will be uprated.

A front end with large mesh air intakes, a lower chin spoiler and chunky side skirts will boost the visual impact, while a rear diffuser and extended spoiler aim to increase stability at high speeds. Also helping the car’s balance in corners is the standard Civic’s longer, wider chassis; this should also improve ride comfort and grip.

Don’t expect refinement to match a Mercedes S-Class, however. The Type R has always been an extreme proposition and that’s the way it will stay.

The steering is set to be pin sharp, while the six-speed manual box will use a stubby gearlever for snappy changes. Plus, the suspension will be firm, to cope with track work as well as blasting down B-roads.

In a break from tradition that matches the turbocharged Ford Focus ST – a key competitor for the Type R – Honda will offer the car as a five-door only. Prices are expected to start from around £23,000 when it arrives in 2013.

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/273562/honda_civic_type_r_is_back.html#ixzz1a0cqzBM9

Honda Cars : Exclusive Preview of the New Civic (Europe) | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

September 12, 2011 - The new Honda Civic will be launched tomorrow at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). Honda has released the first exclusive photos of the new Civic. Designed and developed specifically for the European market, the new Civic will be offered as a five-door hatchback and will compete in the C-segment. It will reach European showrooms in early 2012.

The designers of the new Civic wanted to keep the sporty and advanced elements of the car’s character but tailor them to express the new model’s even more elegant yet dynamic feel. Sources of inspiration included a ‘blended wing body’ aeroplane * in which the fuselage and wings blend into a single body for superior aerodynamic performance, quietness and habitability.

Nearly all of the body components have been redesigned on the new Civic with particular focus on ride and handling, reduced CO2 emissions, interior quality, while preserving the class-leading cabin and boot space and flexible practicality.

Source;

http://world.honda.com/news/2011/4110912New-Civic/index.html

Link to Honda's site;

http://www.honda.co.uk/cars/campaigns/2011/newcivic/#/hotspot-tooltips

Honda Cars : First Glimpse of the 2012 Euro Honda Civic Backend | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

First glimpse of The New Honda Civic -

Honda line-up at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show



The new Honda Civic will be launched at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Developed specifically for the European market, the new Civic will be offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback and will compete in the C-segment. It will reach European showrooms in early 2012.



The refreshed design of the new Civic features a rear combination light that works as a spoiler. The aerodynamic design of the spoiler manages the air flowing over the top and the sides of the car; this is just one example of how the new Civic has been refined.



Nearly all the body components have been redesigned with particular focus on ride and handling, reduced CO2 emissions, interior quality, while preserving the class-leading cabin and boot space and flexible practicality.



Find out more by watching the short film releases detailing the car's development. The films are hosted on an interactive media player you can easily download films and images or even embed the whole player in your site. http://multivu.com/players/English/51356-honda-motor-europe/



Another highlight will be the 2012 model year of the Honda Insight, which has received a facelift - more information about this model will be provided in due course.

The exhibition of cars will be completed by the display of the CR-Z, the CR-V, the Jazz and the Accord.



In addition, Honda will show a selection of its latest motorcycle and power equipment products.



The future according to Honda will be portrayed by showing the Honda EV Concept and the EV-Neo - Honda's electric vehicles on four and two wheels, as well as the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle and the Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle platform display.



Source;

http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,1951-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode

Honda Cars : The New Honda Civic (Euro) | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda will launch the new Civic at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Developed specifically for the European market, the Civic will be offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback and will compete in the C-segment. It will reach European showrooms in early 2012.



In the build-up to the reveal of the new Civic, Honda is releasing a series of short form films detailing its development. The third of these films focuses on noise and refinement.



NEW HONDA CIVIC: class-leading refinement



One of the focuses of the development team for the new Civic was optimising the interior refinement. The engineers worked intensively to hone every detail of the design, build and aerodynamics. The results add to a car that is relaxing to drive on all roads and in all conditions.



The engineers have spent a lot of time testing the car in Europe, tuning the new Civic to suit the distinctive road conditions. The team used Honda's anechoic chamber in its R&D Facility in Swindon, England, to fine-tune the cabin insulation. One of the results of this research was to modify the design and construction of the roof lining, and how it interacts with the bodywork.

The new Civic's aerodynamic efficiency also plays a key role in maximising its refinement. Several members of the development team have Formula One experience, which they used to deliver a car that combines a low coefficient of drag with excellent high-speed stability. Hours of meticulous work in the Honda wind tunnel has improved performance, reduced fuel consumption and resulted in an exceptionally quiet interior.



"We did not improve the noise and refinement of the new Civic through just one technique," says Kazuo Sunaoshi, Development Leader - Chassis. "It was the accumulation of lots of little details. My big challenge was to match the noise and vibration levels of our European competitors. I am proud to say that we have achieved our goals."



Find out more by watching the new ‘noise and refinement' film release. The film is hosted on an interactive media player where all the films will be shown and automatically updated. You can easily download films and images or even embed the whole player in your site http://multivu.com/players/English/51356-honda-motor-europe/

Source;

http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,1939-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode

Honda Cars : Honda Civic Noise & Relaxation 2012 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

High Levels of Refinement For The New Honda Civic

In order for the new 2012 Honda Civic to provide a quieter and more refined driving experience, the development team focused on sharpening every detail of the design, build and aerodynamics resulting in optimal interior refinement.



The new Honda Civic was tested across Europe in order to tune the car to the varying road conditions found throughout the region. To fine tune the cabin insulation, the Civic was also tested in Honda's anechoic (echo-free) chamber in the Research & Development facility located in Swindon. As a result of the tests in the anechoic chamber, the design and construction of the roof lining and how it interacts with the bodywork was modified.

The aerodynamic efficiency of the new Honda Civic also has a key role for maximising refinement. Formula One experience offered by several members of the development team helped to provide a car combining low coefficient of drag in combination with high-speed stability. Performance, reduced fuel consumption and the quiet interior were the result of hours of meticulous work in the Honda wind tunnel.

"We did not improve the noise and refinement of the new Civic through just one technique," commented Kazuo Sunaoshi, Development Leader – Chassis. "It was the accumulation of lots of little details. My big challenge was to match the noise and vibration levels of our European competitors. I am proud to say that we have achieved our goals."

Source;

http://www.carpages.co.uk/honda/honda-civic-26-08-11.asp