Press Release
Debuting at dealers today
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the release of the all-new Civic and Civic Hybrid for the Japanese market. A new generation of fine midsize sedans, the 1.8-liter Civic and Civic Hybrid with its new Honda Hybrid System take both spirited performance and fuel economy to new levels. The new models feature a bold one-motion form design, with a wide stance and extended wheelbase for a more expansive interior. The new Civic will debut on September 22, the Civic Hybrid on November 22, at Honda Primo dealers throughout
This 8th-generation Civic features improvements in all measures of an automobile’s value, including driving performance, fuel economy, environmental friendliness, and packaging. The latest Civic is designed to surround its occupants with sensuous quality and to provide a ride that everyone will enjoy and appreciate.
The new Civic features a newly developed 1.8l i-VTEC engine that combines off-the-line acceleration on par with a 2.0-liter engine with fuel economy, equivalent to that of a 1.5-liter engine while cruising, for category-leading1 fuel economy of 17km/l. The Civic Hybrid is equipped with the new 3-Stage i-VTEC + IMA Honda Hybrid System that delivers both spirited performance and an ultra-high fuel economy of 31km/l. Both models achieve an outstanding combination of driving and environmental performance.
Exterior styling features a one-motion form with the windshield thrust boldly ahead to create a forward cabin with an advanced look. Inside, a 1,750mm-wide body and 2,700mm- long wheelbase provide a spacious interior. The advanced multi-tiered dashboard display positions the speedometer, and other frequently checked displays on an upper tier near the driver’s line of sight for minimum eye movement while driving, while the tachometer, and other gauges are located on the lower tier. The interior space is designed to provide both driving pleasure and a relaxed, expansive feeling.
To reduce burden on the driver, the new Civic and Civic Hybrid are equipped with advanced safety technologies introduced for the first time in this category, including IHCC (Intelligent Highway Cruise Control) with vehicle speed and distance control functions, and Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMS) with E-pretensioners, which cautions the driver of the risk of a rear-end collision, and can activate the brakes to reduce vehicle speed to mitigate damage and injuries.
The popular Civic has won fans in over 160 countries around the world and achieved cumulative world production of 16 million units since it was first released in July 1972.
Key Features of the Civic and Civic Hybrid
Power train
Newly developed 1.8l i-VTEC engine (Civic)
The newly developed i-VTEC system further improves on Honda’s original VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) technology to allow the engine to retard intake valve closure timing under low engine-load driving conditions. Valve control is complemented by a DBW (Drive By Wire) system that provides optimum throttle valve control, significantly reducing pumping losses. This results in greater energy efficiency, for a major improvement in fuel economy while cruising. At the same time, improved intake efficiency and a higher compression ratio deliver an output of 103kW (140PS) and 174N•m (17.7kg•m) of torque, while comprehensive friction reduction measures and air-fuel ratio control result in fuel economy of 17.0km/l (5-speed automatic transmission in 10•15 mode). This exceeds Japanese fuel economy standards for 2010 by 5%. The engine also achieves outstanding emissions performance, with emission levels 75% below 2005 Japanese government standards.
5-speed manual-transmission vehicle is recognized as meeting Japanese fuel economy standards for 2010.
Transmissions
To take full advantage of the engine’s performance characteristics, Honda has developed a new 5-speed automatic transmission that achieves both powerful acceleration and superior fuel economy. In addition to direct control via a linear solenoid and coordination of control functions with the DBW system, the use of both close and wide gear ratios delivers dynamic off-the-line performance and smooth, shock-free acceleration, combined with outstanding fuel economy during high-speed cruising. Three-shaft parallel construction, an ultra-thin torque converter, the use of a common driven gear for 4th and 5th gears, and other innovations help make the transmission significantly more compact than that of the previous Civic. Lock-up control is employed in every gear, while a low-friction clutch, reduced oil agitation resistance, and other high-efficiency innovations make a substantial contribution to fuel economy.
The 5-speed manual transmission provides reduced vertical and horizontal shift load for a more neutral feel, while delivering a smooth, snag-free shift transition that reduces resistance as the shift lever passes the center mid-shift point to slip effortlessly into gear, for a light, exhilarating touch.
New Honda Hybrid System with 3-Stage i-VTEC + IMA(Civic Hybrid)
Honda’s independently developed hybrid system, which combines an engine as the primary drive force with electric motor assist to achieve outstanding fuel economy and clean emissions, has evolved significantly. The New Honda Hybrid System features a 3-stage i-VTEC engine that regulates the valves to provide three stages of valve timing (low-rpm, high-rpm, and cylinder idle mode) in accordance with driving conditions, combines with a significantly improved IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system, to deliver 20% higher output10 along with 5% better fuel economy when driven in 10-15 mode. The system provides low-speed torque, on par with a 1.8-liter gasoline engine, while achieving ultra-high fuel economy of 31.0km/l, surpassing Japanese government fuel economy standards for 2010 by 5%. The system also achieves outstanding emissions performance, with emission levels 75% below 2005 Japanese government standards.
A newly developed dynamic regenerative braking system regulates brake assist volume during braking based on the amount of brake regeneration. Whereas a regular brake booster is powered by engine vacuum, this system employs a hydraulic brake booster that utilizes hydraulic pressure stored in the motor to boost braking capacity. This ensures stable braking assist even during Idle Stop, cylinder idle, and at other times when the vehicle is powered by the motor alone, while also allowing total control over the degree of hydraulic braking.
Honda Multimatic S (Civic Hybrid)
The Honda Multimatic S continuously variable transmission delivers smooth, shock-free driving and contributes to improved fuel economy by effectively maintaining the engine in its optimum fuel-efficiency range. Transmission efficiency has been maximized and a wide ratio employed for the high-speed gears, to contribute up to 3.5% increased efficiency during cruising while also delivering more powerful driving performance. At the same time, clutch capacity has been increased to respond to the power unit’s high torque output. All of these improvements have been made while maintaining the same compact design as the previous Civic Hybrid. Finely tuned gearing control responds to driving conditions for a smooth, natural feel.
Exterior Design
The exterior employs a forward-cabin, one-motion form design, with the front window thrust boldly ahead, emphasizing the extension of the front fenders and rear deck with the cabin more compact lengthwise. The result is a form rich in three-dimensional contours that emphasizes the independence of the cabin while at the same time imparting a sensation of dynamic solidity.
From the front view, sharply designed, innovatively shaped headlights slant boldly up to either side of the horizontal floating center grill. Elegantly flush surfaces emphasize the unity of the front mask, which gently blends into the hood and up to the expansive surface of the front windshield to impart a feel of aerodynamic, high performance quality.
From the side view, the body gives a strong feeling of width, while the character line has a triangular cross-section extending rearward from the front to the rear bumper to express a feeling of speed and power.
The sporty rear view features a cut-off tail that creates a refreshing image, with oval, dual exhaust pipes and rear combination lights arranged in a pattern of four circular lights with ring-shaped illumination.
The Civic Hybrid features highly aerodynamic, custom-designed, lightweight aluminum wheels, front air spoiler, and trunk spoiler to emphasize its aerodynamic qualities.
A new color, Super Platinum Metallic, employs newly developed Super Platinum metallic paint technology to bring out the shadows when light hits the body’s surface, accentuating its rich surface composition. Whereas with ordinary metallic paint two coats of aluminum pigmented color base are applied the same way one on top of the other, the Super Platinum paint process employs two color bases with different characteristics. The effect of these two separate layers is to line up the aluminum pigments in a fixed direction, suppressing the diffusion of reflected light to create the luster of a pure, fine-grained metal.
Opposing flat wipers provide the wiping performance needed to keep the large front windshield clear. Wiper blade height has been reduced by 10mm compared to the previous model and the storage position lowered, making the wipers less noticeable and reducing wind noise.
