Honda Cars : Autoblog: Honda warns dealers to clear out 2012 Civic stock, 2013 emergency refresh on sale Nov. 29 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Not too sure it this is going to indeed be what the 2013 Honda Civic is going to look like for North America, but here's what I found anyway....

Source for Pictures....
http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3ds-max-honda-civic-2013-usa/640818

by  Chris Paukert

Thanks to an anonymous tipster, Autoblog has learned that the so-called "emergency refresh" of the Honda Civic is just around the corner. In fact, the automaker is already urging its dealers to clear out remaining 2012 model year stock because "The changes made to the 2013 model will make the outgoing 2012 Civic a difficult model [to] sell when they are side to side." Those are the words of David Hendley, Assistant Vice President of Honda National Sales excerpted from a recent letter to dealers. The communiqué goes on to note that the refreshed Civic will go on sale on November 29 – a date, we note, that coincides with press days for the Los Angeles Auto Show.

According to Hendley's letter, buyers can look forward to "dramatic improvements to the exterior styling that moves Civic into a more premium sporty direction." The text also promises that the 2013's interior will receive "upgrades and improvements to bring more sophistication and quality to its appearance." For his part, American Honda President Tetsuo Iwamura has previously been quoted as saying that changes will be made to "improve the Civic's drivability," suggesting suspension and powertrain alterations are afoot as well.

The ninth-generation Civic has only been on sale for a year, and such a substantial refresh this early in the generation's lifecycle is unprecedented these days.

The ninth-generation Civic has only been on sale for a year, and such a substantial refresh this early in the generation's lifecycle is unprecedented these days – not just for Honda, but for the industry as well. The Japanese automaker has been stung by widespread criticism for the 2012 Civic range's lackluster dynamics, lessened interior quality, noise levels, low feature count and uninspiring design – perceived shortcomings exacerbated by the industry's hyper-competitive compact car segment. Among the critics, the Civic was given poor marks in a review by this site as well as influential institute Consumer Reports, which went so far as to remove the Civic from its coveted Recommended list. In fact, CR editors labeled the 2012 Civic a "car to avoid" in August.

A lack of critical praise doesn't seem to be harming Civic sales, however. According to the automaker's own sales data, the 2012 model is performing quite handsomely, having sold 234,029 units through September of this year, with 21,546 of those units coming last month alone. That means Honda is shifting almost 40-percent more units this year than the (admittedly aging) eighth-generation model did in 2011. The Civic is now selling near the top of its class, and Hendley notes that the company's Indiana plant will be running at full-tilt to build the updated 2013 model – in fact, he indicates that the US will even draw units from Canadian production.

When contacted for comment about the Hendley dealer letter, Sage Marie, Honda's Senior Manager of Public Relations, confirmed to Autoblog that the automaker will have Civic news to reveal next month, noting that Honda is keen "to ensure Civic remains the benchmark in the segment and remains as competitive as it can be."

Dear Honda Dealer,

Thank you for your effort of selling down the 2012 Accord. As you remember from the dealer meeting earlier this summer in Philadelphia, our priority at the time was to get the Accord down to a reasonable days supply by our September launch date for the new model. Our sell down of the 2012 Accord is right in line of where we want to be, and the 2013 Accord is doing extremely well since it's release back in September. Your focus and selling effort on Accord is greatly appreciated.

Obviously, Accord sales makeup a huge part of getting to the company goal of 1,300,000 by the end of the year; however, Civic's role is just as important. You may be aware that the refreshed 2013 Civic will be available for sale on November 29, 2012. When it arrives on your lots you will see dramatic improvements to the exterior styling that moves Civic into a more premium sporty direction. The interior has even more upgrades and improvements to bring more sophistication and quality to its appearance. As I said in Philadelphia, we are taking a good Civic that is currently the leading selling vehicle in the small car segment regardless of fleet sales, and made is a great car. This is a car the breathes the famous Honda driveability, quality, reliability (DQR) that has made Honda what it is today. A brand that consumers want us to produce for you to sell. This vehicle is not produced simply to catch up to our competition it is being produced to expand its dominance and reign once again as the bench mark of the small car segment.

Civic makes up almost 25% of our 990,00 Honda sales for the year - it is a critical component in our goal to reach 1.3 million sales for the year. For your dealership to take full advantage of the refreshed Civic and the marketing we will have supporting it you must greatly increase the turn rate on our 2012 Civics. With the unprecedented enhancements we have made to the current Civic after its first year in its cycle you will want to have little to no Civics on hand at arrival time of this refreshed 2013 model. The changes made to the 2013 model will make the outgoing 2012 Civic a difficult model sell when they are side to side. I strongly encourage you to discuss your Civic inventory situation with your district manager today, and set up a sell down strategy that will reduce your total remaining model year 2012 Civics by a minimum of 60% before December 1, 2012. I cannot stress enough, sell down of your 2012 Civics is critical to the 2013 Civic launch and the success of inventory balance at your dealership.

Take action now! The 2013 Civic will come to your at full speed. Our plant in Indiana which produces Civic will run at full capacity with Civic production, and we will even get production from Canada too. Commit to reduce your model year 2012 Civics by 60% or more before December 1, 2012. And be prepared on November 29, to receive the greatest Civic ever produced!

Sincerely,
David Hendley
Assistant Vice President Honda National Sales

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/23/honda-warns-dealers-to-clear-out-2012-civic-stock-2013-emergenc/  

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 : New Honda Civic Touring Car Wins Brands Hatch | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Touring car racing is the mainstay for the Honda Civic, as the hatchback gets its image there. With the arrival of the 2012 Civic, a new touring car has also been developed, and it looks like it’s going to be a top contender this year.

The Honda Yuasa Racing Team kicked off its 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship challenge with victory for its new Civic at the Brands Hatch season opener.

Race one was lost, as a BMW won due to a clash that delayed the Civic. But in race two, reigning champion driver Matt Neal manages to fight off rival Jason Plato.

Race three only saw a seventh place finish for the Civic, but Neal is still second overall now.

“When he hit me the second time I smiled – in a good way!” said Neal. “He was quicker than me at that stage. Once ahead he braked a little early at Druids and I gave him a nudge. Then, at Clearways where he had been strong all day, he ran wide and left the door open.”

“The car is good,” he said. “Honda had a one-two in race two [with Andrew Jordan’s Pirtek Civic following Neal home], which is great, but it’s personally frustrating. I don’t think it’s anything the team is doing or I am doing. Everything electrical was changed and we still had the problem.

When I’ve been running I’ve been fine. To start from the back and finish fourth isn’t a bad effort. The tyres last well and we had a good balance when the car was running well.”

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/new-honda-civic-touring-car-wins-brands-hatch-43831.html

Honda Cars : Honda Says Civic Has ‘Ammunition’ to Hang On as Top Compact Car | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Alan Ohnsman - Mar 13, 2012

Honda Motor Co.’s Civic, stung by critical reviews and tight U.S. supply in 2011, has outsold rival small cars and the company has enough “ammunition” to hold the spot, an executive said.

U.S. sales of Civic sedans and coupes rose 45 percent to 48,970 in the year’s first two months, ahead of Toyota Motor Corp.’s Corolla, a perennial challenger, and General Motors Co.’s Cruze. After supply disruptions last year, Honda now has enough North American capacity to make Civic the top-selling compact, even if that isn’t a target, said Tetsuo Iwamura, chief operating officer for North America.

“When competitors shoot at the Civic, we’ll have enough ammunition to shoot back,” Iwamura said in an interview this week at Honda’s U.S. headquarters in Torrance, California. “We don’t talk about No. 1 as a goal. Always we think about having very good acceptance and high customer satisfaction.”

The car that’s been the core of Honda’s U.S. business since 1973 hasn’t led compact sales since 2002. Civic trailed both Corolla and Cruze last year, according to Autodata Corp., a Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey researcher. A year after an earthquake and tsunami damaged Tokyo-based Honda’s parts supply base and engineering center in Japan, the carmaker has ratcheted up North American output of the model 69 percent to regain sales in the U.S., its biggest source of revenue.

Honda has gained 32 percent in Tokyo trading this year, recovering most of the drop last year, when the stock fell 27 percent. It last closed at 3,100 yen.

Output Increased
Honda made 84,678 Civics at plants in Canada and Indiana in the first months of the year, up from 50,056 in the same period a year ago. Production of all Honda and Acura cars and light trucks in North America jumped 36 percent to a record 301,564, according to the company.
Civic sales fell 15 percent last year to 221,235, the lowest since 1992. Along with parts-related production delays, the 2012 Civic LX sedan failed to receive the “recommended” status its predecessors had from Consumer Reports last August. The magazine faulted the car for a decline in interior quality, choppier ride and road noise.

Higher U.S. gasoline prices are benefiting Civic, and should buoy demand for at least another four months, said Jesse Toprak, industry analyst for TrueCar.com.

“It’s got a pretty good chance of being No. 1 this year, owing to the availability and the price point,” said Toprak, who is based in Santa Monica, California. “They are a bit lucky that the fuel prices are rising now as Civic continues to be viewed generally as more gas-efficient, and a safe choice.”

Fuel Price
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has increased 16 percent this year to $3.81 as of March 12, according to AAA, the largest U.S. motorist group. The Civic coupe has a starting price of $15,605 while the sedan’s price starts at $15,805, according to researcher Edmunds.com.

The outlook for Civic beyond July, when fuel prices may ease, will depend on updates of the car Honda plans to make to address some criticisms and competing models including Hyundai Motor Co.’s Elantra, Toprak said.

“Hyundai, in particular, has shown that it has the ability to replicate the kind of success seen with Honda and Toyota a generation ago,” he said.

Even with some unfavorable reviews for the current Civic, the car continues to attract the buyers competitors seek, said Alexander Edwards, president of the automotive division of Strategic Vision Inc., a San Diego-based consumer-research firm.

How Competitors Fare
Within the small-car segment, Civic is “still grabbing a younger, somewhat wealthier crowd,” Edwards said. The median age of its buyers is 45, compared with a segment average of between 49 and 50 years old, he said.

Volkswagen AG (VOW)’s Jetta draws a younger customer, with a median age of 41, because of its cheaper base price and Hyundai’s Elantra matches Civic with a median buyer age of 45, said Edwards, whose firm surveys 300,000 people a year for its automotive studies. Jetta’s starting price is $15,515, according to Edmunds.

The average Corolla buyer is 49, while the median age for customers of Ford Motor Co. (F)’s Focus is 53 and Chevrolet’s Cruze is 58, Edwards said.

GM’s data indicate that the average Cruze buyer is about 53, Jim Cain, a company spokesman, said in an interview.

Honda’s problems last year didn’t keep it from a top- ranking spot in terms of brand consideration, with 50 percent of people in the market for a new car saying they’d consider it, Edwards said, citing Strategic Vision data.

Inventory had a bigger impact on Civic sales last year than Consumer Reports’ review, said Iwamura, 60, who becomes Honda’s executive vice president on April 1 and will continue to lead North American operations.

“I accept their criticism very sincerely, but yet believe we’ll be able to make them once again a strong fan of the Civic,” he said.

Source;
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2012-03-13/honda-plots-u-s-civic-rebound-buoyed-by-supply-abundance-gasoline-prices.html

Honda Cars : The new 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe HFP unveiled in Toronto | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

For 2012, Honda is extending Honda Factory Performance program to include the 2012 Civic Si Coupe HFP. Joining the Accord HFP, which made its debut in 2011, the all-new Civic HFP will feature improved handling performance and more aggressive styling characteristics. The 2012 Civic Si Coupe HFP will go on sale this spring.

"After receiving positive feedback on our Accord HFP from this past year, we wanted to deliver a similar performance and styling direction to Canada's top-selling car," said Jamieson. "Civic Si Coupe HFP is perfect for the car enthusiast who wants to take both performance and style to the next level!"

2012 Civic Si Coupe HFP Highlights:
-2.4 litre, DOHC i-VTEC® engine, 4-cylinder 16-valve with 201 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque
-Close-ratio 6 speed manual transmission
-18" HFP aluminum-alloy wheels with Michelin Super Sport Performance Tires
-HFP Suspension Package
-HFP side underbody, front bumper underbody and rear bumper underbody spoilers
-HFP exterior badging and interior floor mats
-Helical limited-slip differential
-Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with bilingual Voice Recognition
-Leather-wrapped steering wheel
-Sport seats with high-contrast stitching and embroidery
-360-watt AM/FM/CD premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media® Audio playback capability and 7 speakers including subwoofer, USB, and XM Satellite Radio
-HandsFreeLink™-bilingual Bluetooth® wireless mobile phone interface

Source;
http://www.auto123.com/en/news/the-new-2012-honda-civic-si-coupe-hfp-unveiled-in-toronto?artid=140666

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 : Honda Prays for Disaster-Free U.S. Rebound Led by New Models | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Alan Ohnsman
Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Honda Motor Co. says replenished vehicle inventory and new Honda and Acura models planned for the next 24 months will spur a U.S. sales rebound next year after natural disasters dashed its 2011 goals.

Honda’s loss of some North American output in October and November due to parts shortages caused by floods in Thailand led to it being the only large automaker to post a U.S. sales decline last month as total sales jumped 14 percent. That came after six months of declines resulting from reduced auto inventory triggered by Japan’s March earthquake and tsunami.

“I’m going to the shrine to pray to avoid any more such disasters from Mother Nature,” Tetsuo Iwamura, Honda’s top North American executive, said in an interview on Dec. 2 in Las Vegas. “Next year, even starting this month, we’ll recover.”

Japan’s third-largest automaker counts on the U.S. for the largest portion of its global sales. Tight inventory and competition from Ford Motor Co., Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. and others cut Tokyo-based Honda’s U.S. sales 5.3 percent through November.

While Honda’s market share has fallen to 9 percent from 10.5 percent so far in 2011, combined share for South Korean affiliates Hyundai and Kia rose to 9 percent from 7.8 percent a year ago.

“It is a year to forget, and then push the reset button,” said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with researcher IHS Automotive. “We’re now seeing heavy replacement demand, so there is a lot of sales opportunity out there.”

IHS Automotive estimates U.S. sales of new cars and trucks will rise to about 13.7 million units in 2012, from about 12.7 million this year, she said.

‘Outrageous’ Competition

“The competition is outrageous and it’s coming from every part of the market,” Lindland said. “Every year we say this is an incredibly competitive market, but this year we mean it.”

Honda’s immediate goal is to boost production of its new Civic compact and CR-V compact sport-utility vehicle that goes on sale this month, Iwamura said. The company starts December with about a 40-day supply of vehicles, he said.

“Unfortunately, our competitors didn’t show us any mercy,” Iwamura said. “They took as much market share from us as they could. That’s the reality of the market. You have to fight back.”

In 2012, the company releases a revamped Accord, Honda’s top-selling U.S. nameplate, and other models Iwamura declined to identify. “Fortunately, we are going to have lots more models in the next 24 months,” he said.

New Engines, Hybrids

Vehicles coming out next year will also begin powered by new four- and six-cylinder engines and transmissions Honda unveiled last week at the Tokyo Motor Show, claiming they will lead the industry in fuel efficiency.

The company also will add new hybrid models from next year that will boost its reputation for fuel-efficiency and advanced technology, he said.

“New models with good technology, yet very value-oriented pricing for the sake of competitiveness,” said Iwamura, 60. “That is our key for a successful year in 2012 and onwards.”

Sales of the new Civic, released this year, will continue to increase and haven’t really been hurt by some critical reviews, he said.

“In November, Civic was the number one selling compact vehicle,” Iwamura said. “Customers still believe in the Civic.”

The 2012 Civic failed to receive the “recommended” status from Consumer Reports magazine. The revamped model “ranks near the bottom of its category,” David Champion, senior director of the magazine’s auto test center, said in an Aug. 1 e-mailed statement.

Honda’s U.S. headquarters are based in Torrance, California. The company’s American depositary receipts rose 0.3 percent to $31.59 at 9:35 a.m. New York time.

Source;
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-05/honda-prays-for-disaster-free-u-s-rebound-led-by-new-models.html

Honda Cars : Gas price relief: New Honda cheaper to drive | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Jerry Edgerton (MoneyWatch)

What if you could buy a car that costs $1 to $2 a gallon less than gasoline to refuel but drives almost exactly like a gasoline model? And what if that fuel was produced right here in the USA?

If you like that idea, Honda hopes you may be ready for the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas. Starting in December, the natural gas model -- previously available in only four states -- will go on sale at 200 dealerships in all of the 36 states that have natural gas refueling stations.

Refueling is, of course, the major challenge to owners of natural gas vehicles. Only about 1,000 stations nationwide currently offer natural gas refueling, according to Dr. Kathryn Clay, executive director of the Drive Natural Gas Initiative, who appeared at a Honda press event in New York City this week. (That compares with about 115,000 stations dispensing gasoline.) Her group, supported by natural gas producers and utilities, argues that the nation should capitalize on recent discoveries of huge shale-formation reserves of domestic natural gas by using it to power more cars.

Currently, stations are concentrated most heavily in California (where natural gas costs about $2.50 per gallon of gasoline equivalent, vs. $3.84 average for gasoline), New York (also about $2.50 vs. $3.68), and Utah and Oklahoma. Because of state policies in the latter two states, both of which are home to natural gas producers, stations are widespread and prices are low -- under $1.30 per gallon of gasoline equivalent in Utah, and under $1 in Oklahoma. To see if you have stations in your area, check this map and click on your state.

Drives well & ranks greenest
Honda is hoping that the natural gas Civic will lure a new set of buyers focused on environmental, financial or even geopolitical advantages.

Drivers will notice virtually no differences from traditional gasoline models -- not even the unfamiliar noises of gas-electric hybrids. Driving the gasoline and natural gas models one after the other in New York City this week, I detected little variation except for slightly sluggish acceleration when the Civic Natural Gas was set in Eco mode, aimed at maximizing mileage. (The expected MPG equivalent ratings are 27 in city driving, 38 on the highway).

And if you care about environmental principle, you can feel virtuous. The natural gas car is low on both traditional air pollutants and greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The 2011 model of the natural gas Civic (previously known as the Civic GX) topped the greenest cars list compiled by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy -- winning for the eighth straight year and topping new electric competitors like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt.
Even drivers motivated by pure self-interest may want to take a look. The natural gas model lets even solo commuters hop into the fast High Occupancy Vehicle lanes in two of the most congested areas in the country: Southern California and the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. And if you use the Civic Natural Gas to commute, you might be able to install a home refill station in your garage using the natural gas supply that you have for your stove or other appliances. Prices for such overnight refills often cost about half the price of natural gas refill stations.

Challenges remain
But wider acceptance of the natural gas vehicles still faces challenges -- which is why natural gas has been used chiefly to date for city buses and fleet trucks (for companies such as UPS and Frito-Lay). For now, Honda plans to build only about 2,000 of the natural gas models.

Among the obstacles:
Price: With the Civic Natural Gas based on the high-end EX model instead of the base model, as in the past, list price will start at $26,255 or $27,655 with built-in navigation (including a function to find the nearest natural gas station). That is about a $4,200 premium over the most expensive gasoline EX. In surveys, consumers repeatedly show interest in alternative fuel vehicles including hybrids, but then say they are unwilling to pay a higher purchase price even if they will save money on fuel.

Lack of widespread financial incentives: An earlier federal $4,000 tax credit for the natural gas Civic has expired. Utah will give you a tax credit of up to $2,500, and Oklahoma offers a credit of up to half the added cost over a conventional vehicle. But other states, including New York and California, don't have such credits -- although California may in some cases subsidize up to $1,000 on the cost of a home fueling station.

Limited range: As with electric cars in need of regular recharging, drivers will need to closely monitor how far they can drive before refueling. Honda says the Civic Natural Gas tank holds the equivalent of eight gallons of gasoline and has a range of about 250 miles.

For now, Honda is the only automaker producing a natural gas car in the U.S. -- but advocate Clay hopes to see other manufacturers join the crowd. "All the major companies have natural gas models that they sell in other countries," she says. "But they say they want to be sure the refueling structure is set up before they try to sell them here."

Source;
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-57321606/gas-price-relief-new-honda-cheaper-to-drive/

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 : 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 : 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 : Honda Exec Downplays Impact of Consumer Reports Trashing | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

No maker can "always hit them out of the park."

by Paul A. Eisenstein on Aug.30, 2011

Timing is everything – and Mike Accavitti was clearly wondering whether he got it right the day he accepted his new job as head of marketing for American Honda, a couple months back.

That was the same day that the influential Consumer Reports magazine took a potshot at the Honda Civic, declaring that the 2012 remake of the long-popular subcompact, normally one of the non-profit publication’s favorite choices, “now…ranks near the bottom of its category.”

As if to drive the knife deeper, the magazine followed up with a second report raising serious questions about Honda itself. And CR wasn’t alone. The 2012 Honda Civic has received a rash of criticism while the maker itself has come under increasing fire from various media – including TheDetroitBureau.com – faulting it for a variety of issues, including timid design.

Further complicating matters, the maker was hit hard by the earthquake that struck Japan on March 11. The subsequent product shortages have probably reached their worst this month, says Accavitti, a former Chrysler executive.

“For a second, I thought, ‘Holy, moley, what did I get myself into?’” he says with a laugh that betrays his initial concerns. But despite Honda’s recent setbacks, the new marketing chief insists he’s in for a good ride.

“We still respect Consumer Reports, though we disagree with some of their findings,” he told TheDetroitBureau.com in an exclusive interview, comparing the criticism of the maker to the way an A student might be chastised for bringing home a B+. The competition, Accavitti suggested, is like a C student being heralded for getting a B. “Every time you step up to the plate you’re not going to hit them out of the park.”

The new Civic simply reflects the changing realities faced by Honda, which has gone from being a niche player to part of the automotive mainstream over the years. Today, “You have to be a little more conservative than when you have nothing to lose and can risk a roll of the dice,” insisted Accavitti.

In fact, Honda continues to take risks, he suggested, with products like the CR-Z, the Accord CrossTour and the Acura ZDX. While industry analysts might agree, they’d also point out that Honda has largely flopped with most of its recent niche offerings. The ZDX barely registers on the sales charts and aiming to spark new life into the hatchback, Honda has dropped the Accord name and will simply call it CrossTour for 2012.

Honda could boost sales, Accavitti asserted, if it wanted to play by the rules of the competition. But the maker has no intention of bumping up its incentives – as even Japanese arch-rival Toyota has done in a bid to revive lackluster sales – nor will Honda start dumping cars into fleet markets, a familiar tactic when Accavitti was at Chrysler.

“We’ve been hit hard,” said the new Honda vice president, and “August will be the worst month of the year from an industry situation,” but as inventories rebuild, he promises, Honda will show that it can overcome short-term setbacks, including criticism from a powerhouse like Consumer Reports.

Source;

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2011/08/honda-exec-downplays-impact-of-consumer-reports-trashing/

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

Honda Cars : Euro 2012 Honda Civic Test Video | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

"An updated version of the 2.2-liter i-DTEC four-cylinder will be available when the new Civic goes on sale in early 2012. With around 147 horsepower and upwards of 184 pound-feet of torque, the revised mill – combined with the Civic's improved aerodynamics – will bring CO2 emissions down to 110g/km and should boost fuel economy by around 15 percent." --www.autoblog.com 's Damon Lavrinc



Source;

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/13/honda-releases-more-details-about-european-civic-w-video/#continued