The All-New 2012 Civic
TULLAMARINE, AUSTRALIA – Feb 28, 2012: The all-new 2012 Civic represents the ninth-generation of one of Honda’s most popular and globally recognised products. Having earned a reputation for being fun-to-drive and at the same time fuel efficient, sporty, stylish and durable, the Civic has become a loved and relied-upon member of the worldwide transportation family.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of production of the Civic. It has sold over 20 million units world-wide since it was launched in Japan in 1972. Over 200,000 Civics have been sold in Australia since production began.
Each generation, the Civic has improved with a specific development theme in mind. The 2012 Civic embraces the fundamental concept of a futuristic and distinctive compact, a direction that introduces new values that reach ahead of present-day needs and elevates the experience that Civic represents.
The all-new Civic has been refined. It features enhancements to performance, ride and interior packaging along with increased fuel economy and the addition of interactive technologies for personalisation and convenience.
There are three variants available: VTi-L, Sport and Hybrid. Features of
the all-new Civic range include:
Beneath the aerodynamic skin of the ninth-generation Civic is Honda’s commitment to safety, fun-to-drive performance, style, comfort, convenience, durability, quality and refinement.
Safety
Advanced safety systems include Honda-exclusive
Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and a long list of
standard safety equipment including six airbags,
next-generation Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Brake Assist and a new Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering. The all-new Civic has received a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
Fun to Drive
The Civic is designed to be fun to drive, with
MacPherson strut front suspension, multi-link rear suspension and front and
rear stabiliser bars. New for the ninth-generation, Motion-Adaptive
Electric Power Steering (EPS) improves steering response at low speeds
while rewarding the driver with outstanding feel at higher speeds. In
addition, with EPS there is no power drain to the engine as is common with
a traditional hydraulically boosted steering system. This benefits power
output, fuel economy and exhaust emissions.
Distinctive, Aerodynamic Styling
As a new interpretation of
the current Civic’s iconic ‘one-motion’ mono-form shape,
the ninth-generation Civic is designed to convey an even more substantial,
high-energy appearance. The exterior styling of Civic showcases the clean
yet powerful body lines with a sleekly angled windscreen, wide stance and
pronounced character lines along the profile. Hidden aerodynamic features
such as flat-bottom unit-body construction, precisely placed aero strakes
and other features work together to help the Civic achieve excellent fuel
economy.
Comfort, Convenience and Personalisation
Smart and driver
focused, the new Civic’s five-person interior is a careful blend of
form and function, with an advanced instrument layout that is unique in its
class. A ‘smart interface’ approach divides the interior into
different areas, with key instrument displays located above the steering
wheel. Secondary information is located lower in the area, while a third
area to the driver’s left, groups controls that are not essential to
driving.
New for 2012, the intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) provides a five-inch colour monitor for the display of vehicle and audio information. Along with vehicle settings that can be customised, the i-MID includes the ability to upload personal wallpaper backgrounds. The Civic also features, as standard, the Eco Assist function.
Powertrain: Civic VTi-L and Sport
Honda has long been known
for its world-class engine technology and a continuous process of
innovation and improvement. At the core of Honda’s powertrain
engineering is the ongoing pursuit of greater performance, enhanced fuel
economy and low emissions.
The Civic VTi-L has an advanced 104kW, 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine that produces 174Nm of torque. The engine has been updated and refined from the previous generation Civic. The new engine has extensive changes that reduce friction, improve emissions and increase fuel economy. The engine is a Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) inline four-cylinder design with 16 valves and a dual-stage intake manifold.
Fuel economy has been improved, with the all-new Civic using 6.8l/100kms with CO2 emissions of 161g/km for the manual transmission. The automatic uses 6.7l/100kms and CO2 emissions of 158 g/km.
The Civic Sport’s 2-litre i-VTEC engine has also been refined. It produces 114kW and 190Nm of torque. Fuel economy figures for the automatic transmission are 7.5 l/100kms with CO2 emissions of 178g/km.
The VT-L is available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The Sport is only available with a five-speed automatic transmission.
Powertrain: Civic Hybrid
The newest-generation Integrated
Motor Assist (IMA) system fitted to the Civic Hybrid uses a petrol engine
as the primary source of power, while an electric motor provides additional
power and electricity regeneration capability. The new IMA system consists
of a larger 1.5-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine connected to a larger,
more powerful electric motor and a Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT). A new Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery pack is used to capture and store
electricity for the upgraded 17kW electric motor. The new Lithium-Ion
battery is lighter while being more powerful and compact than the
nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery it replaced.
Together, the petrol engine and electric motor produce 82kW at 5500 rpm and 172Nm of torque at 1000-3500 rpm.
Compared to the previous generation, the new Civic Hybrid has similar peak power but achieves it at 500 fewer rpm. It has gained 2Nm of torque spread over a wider rpm range (between 1000 rpm to 3500 rpm) for improved performance during normal city driving.
During acceleration, the engine or the engine and electric motor propel the vehicle. During sustained cruising, the petrol engine and/or the electric motor can individually propel the vehicle. During braking, the petrol engine deactivates and the electric motor acts as a generator to replenish the Li-Ion battery pack. When the vehicle is at a stop, the engine can enter an idle-stop mode to conserve fuel and reduce emissions. The engine remains off until the brake pedal is released.
Compared to the previous Civic Hybrid, the fifth-generation Honda Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) powertrain provides improved acceleration at highway speeds while simultaneously delivering 4.4 l/100kms and 104 g/km CO2.
Main features of Civic Hybrid petrol engine
Integrated Motor Assist (IMA)