HONDA’S Mitsuru Kariya led the team on the development of the new Honda Civic. In this special report, he highlights the key points of the new Honda Civic.Mitsuru Kariya, large project leader at Honda, explains the thinking behind the new Honda Civic.
THE current Civic was known for its unique exterior styling and interior practicality within the hatchback class in Europe, but we were keen to further understand the needs and desires of our customers. The current Civic became the benchmark focus for their research to create a car that was even better.
With the current increase of fuel prices across Europe and the environmental targets set to achieve low emissions, especially for company car tax, we concluded from our customer survey that the current Civic customer not only considered modern styling and performance to be important but also advanced technologies to create a Civic that was even more cost efficient to run and eco-friendly.
The development period for the new Civic spanned more than four years. Nearly all of the components are new to the Civic or have been further developed with areas of focus on the suspension set-up to improve the ride and handling, the interior materials to improve the overall interior quality, the new design styling and aerodynamics for a refreshed image and improved efficiency, and the engines for improved performance and reduced CO₂ emissions. The car had to be safe and easy to handle, affordable and so on as well as premium in terms of having a good balance of affordable performance.
Overall the new Civic builds on the core strengths of its predecessor and takes them to an appreciably higher level. It also is one of the sector’s best in performance against low CO₂ emissions – the diesel model produces just 110g/km with 150PS and 350Nm of torque. This means business car drivers can appreciate the Civic without paying excessive benefit-in-kind company car tax.
What’s new – main changes at a glance
Interior styling
New functional cockpit layout (two control interface zones)
Full-colour i-MID TFT screen incorporating an Eco driving support function, audio display and user support
Premium sound system with superior 20cm 90W subwoofers and 25mm AL dome tweeters (optional)
New touch point surface materials used throughout for an improved quality feel
New designed steering wheel with easy operating controls finished in extra-smooth leather
Blue interior door lining illumination (depending on grade)
Exterior styling
Lower and wider aerodynamic monoform profile
Elegant look seamlessly unifying all surfaces including the wheel arches and the body
Lower and wider unique look in the front area
Wide aero management rear combination lamp
New brake and indicator light cluster design
New body colours
Comfort and convenience
Air chamber support seat with lumbar and side support
Audio key-off timer and station list
Large, smooth-operating electric sunshade with central opening
HDD navigation system with arrow display, 11 languages and an 800x480mm WVGA screen (depending on grade)
Power windows operated by key fob
Coupling to keyless button function allows the door mirrors to be folded and retracted Hill start assist
Multiple storage console, including USB/iPod and AUX inputs
Revised interior and exterior door handles
Smoother gear shift feel
Fuel economy and environmental performance
ECO Assist
Idle Stop
ACG multi-stage control
Reduced engine friction
Optimised combustion
Air shutter grille on diesel model
Safety
LED day time running lights for improved visibility
Cap-less fuelling system with misfuelling guard for diesel models
Auto high-beam support system (grade depending)
Distinctive, high-mounted brake light
ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), CMBS (Collision Mitigation Brake System – grade depending)
Variable speed limiter
Hands-free array microphone (grade depending)
Lowered rear extra window for better view from the driver’s seat
Improved crosswind stability
Suspension
Fluid-filled compliance bushings for superior damping in the rear suspension
H-Beam Trailing Arm with even higher rigidity than the predecessor Civic Type R for road stability
Engine
2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel producing 110g/km of CO2 with 150 PS and 350 Nm of torque
1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol producing 137g/km of CO2 with 142 PS at 6500 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4300 rpm
1.4-litre i-VTEC petrol producing 129g/km of CO2 with 100 PS and 127 Nm of torque at 4800 rpm
Watch a video of the new Honda Civic
