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Honda For 2001 |
By Carey Russ |
The seventh-generation Civic is the biggest news at Honda for 2001, but that's not all. The ever-popular Accord has revised styling, the Odyssey minivan and Passport SUV get new safety features, and the Insight gas-electric hybrid gets a new transmission. The high-tech, high-performance S2000 roadster has an available removable hard top. The Prelude coupe continues with only minor changes, as does the small CR-V sport-utility.
Civic
The Civic established Honda as a major auto manufacturer when it was first introduced back in 1973. It has continued its popularity by building on its strengths while changing with the times, and so the 2001 Civic sedans and coupes become slightly larger for improved interior room, with a greater emphasis on comfort. The coupes and sedans now feature greater differentiation in styling. Engines are larger and more powerful, yet they go farther on a gallon of gasoline, with lower exhaust emissions. The HX coupe, the fuel economy leader of the Civic lineup, has an available second-generation continuously-variable transmission (CVT), as does the natural gas-powered GX sedan.
Accord
Freshened styling highlights a number of significant enhancements to the 2001 Accord sedans and coupes. Upscale models have standard side air bags, which are options on all other models. Standard equipment levels for most have been increased. As before, both four-cylinder and V6 engines are available.
Insight
The Insight was the first gasoline-electric hybrid car to be sold in the U.S. when it debuted a year ago. It was designed from the ground up for extremely high fuel economy and ultra-low exhaust emissions, and has earned the highest EPA ratings in history: 61 mpg city, 68 highway. An ultra-thin electric motor assists a lightweight 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine, with a five-speed manual transmission or a new CVT.
Honda Specifications 2001 Civic ENGINE 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder Peak horsepower: 115 @ 6100 / 127 @ 6300 optional Peak torque, lb-ft: 110 @ 4500 / 114 @ 4800 optional DRIVE TRAIN Front engine, front-wheel drive 4 - speed automatic 5 - speed manual continuously-variable automatic (CVT) CHASSIS & SUSPENSION unit construction Front suspension: independent MacPherson strut Rear suspension: independent double wishbone BRAKES Disc/drum, antilock optional EPA ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY City / Highway: 32/37 to 36/44 depending on model Fuel tank: 13.2 gallons Accord ENGINE 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder Peak horsepower: 135 @ 5400 rpm / 150 @ 4700 rpm Peak torque, lb-ft: 145 @ 4700 rpm / 152 @ 4900 rpm 3.0-liter V6 Peak horsepower: 200 @ 5500 rpm Peak torque, lb-ft: 195 @ 4700 rpm DRIVE TRAIN Front engine, front-wheel drive 4 - speed automatic 5 - speed manual CHASSIS & SUSPENSION Unit construction Front suspension: independent double wishbone Rear suspension: independent double wishbone BRAKES Disc/drum or four-wheel antilock disc EPA ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY City / Highway: 20/28 to 25/31 depending on model Fuel tank: 17.1 gallons