The New 2006 Honda Civic revealed
Tuesday, August 9, 2005
The name remains the same, but everything else has changed. For the first
time Honda presents a Civic that challenges the top end of the compact class –
a premium sports compact for this growing sector.
Honda has dared to be different with a bold, must-have design that makes
other competitors look last generation. The result is a car with a sporty
drive, distinctive futuristic looks, and advanced packaging that makes it
exceedingly practical to live with.
Key to the design are the forward cabin, low overall vehicle height, big
wheels and a unique “face” where the headlamps blend seamlessly with a glazed
panel. A wide stance creates a feeling of great stability and sturdiness,
while the super-wedged side profile emphasises the exciting look and hints at
an equally adventurous interior.
The dashboard showcases a dual zone cockpit whereby all the needed
information and commands are rationally placed. All the important controls and
instruments are located within an inner zone, which is surrounded by a
secondary zone housing radio, heating and ventilation controls and trip
information. The result is a modern, sophisticated look with the use of
different materials and textures creating a particularly high class finish.
At a time when each new car tends to be bigger than its predecessor, it may
come as a surprise that new Civic is smaller and lower than the current model.
Overall length is now 4,250 mm (35 mm less) and overall height 1,460 mm (also
35 mm less). But in order to create a more dynamic silhouette and a better
handling car, Honda has increased the overall width to 1,760 mm (65 mm more)
and the front and rear tracks to 1,504 mm (34 mm more) and 1,510 mm (45 mm
more), respectively.
Although new Civic is more compact outside, superior packaging makes the
cabin just as roomy as its impressive predecessor. It features the fuel tank
centrally mounted along with the cross member below the front seats. This
unique configuration makes way for the useful flat floor rear passenger and
cargo area, and for a class leading luggage compartment volume. The Civic too
offers ‘Magic’ seats, with their unique one motion fold down and ‘flip up’
functions.
All versions of new Civic will be generously equipped, with the top models
featuring a number of unexpected items. Standard across the range will be
climate control air conditioning, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), trip
computer, front, side and curtain airbags, rake and reach adjustable steering
column and rear ‘Magic’ seats. High grade models will feature equipment such
as automatic lights and wiper functions, HID headlamps, Dual Zone Climate
Control and retractable door mirrors, in addition to expected items like alloy
wheels, DVD satellite navigation and leather trim.
New Civic will be one of the safest cars in its class. With its new body
structure and subframes, recessed pedals, double pretensioners on the front
seatbelts and side curtain airbags, it is expected to achieve a Euro NCAP 5
star result for front and side impact safety, 3 stars for pedestrian safety
and 4 stars for child protection safety.
There is a range of three different engines to choose from: a 1.4-litre
61kW/83 PS petrol unit, a 1.8-litre 103kW/140 PS petrol unit or a 2.2-litre
103kW/140 PS diesel unit. All of them are combined with a 6-speed manual
gearbox making the new Honda Civic the first car in the C-segment to be
equipped with 6-speed gearboxes across all of its range. The petrol units can
also be equipped with a 6-speed automated manual transmission.
Currently, Civic is produced in 11 countries and sold in approximately 160
countries. The new eighth generation model will be built at Honda’s European
car plant, in Swindon, Wiltshire – with the 5-door exclusive to Europe. Civic
currently accounts for roughly one-third of all Honda sales worldwide.
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