Press Release
Packaging and Interior
The wide body and long wheelbase create a relaxing, spacious cabin interior, while the large front windshield thrusts forward at an accentuated angle, combining with the positioning and angling of the glass area to create a spacious visual feel.
The cockpit is designed as an advanced technology space in which the driver experiences a new enhanced level of security, for increased driving ease and pleasure. To improve both visibility and operability, the driver interface has been completely redesigned, with first priority given to the positioning of the displays and controls. The multi-tier meter design groups the most important components in easy-to-see, easy-to-reach locations.
The speedometer and other instruments that the driver frequently refers to have been carefully located in a newly designed multifunctional display positioned directly in front of the driver, high up and at some distance on the instrument panel. This reduces the angle that the driver must deflect his or her gaze downward while driving, minimizing eye movement, while at the same time making the display closer to the driver’s field of vision, reducing the need to refocus. In addition to the speedometer, the upper tier includes the fuel gauge, coolant temperature gauge, and turn signal indicators. Limiting the number of gauges permits the use of a large, digital display for the speedometer for improved readability in a compact size that does not impinge upon the driver’s field of vision. The lower tier houses a self-illuminating tachometer, odometer, and trip meter, with the Civic Hybrid also featuring an IMA assist/charge display.
The 3-spoke, small-diameter steering wheel is oval-shaped with a horizontal diameter of 360mm and a vertical diameter of 350mm, for a sportier image and improved instrument panel visibility. The shift lever also employs a sporty, compact design. Located right beside it within easy reach is the emergency brake lever, which adopts a Z-shaped configuration for a major reduction in overall length. The organ-type accelerator pedal ensures a linear pedal feel.
The newly developed front seats combine a wrap-around fit with stylish design. The seat cushions feature low-resistance urethane cushions and expanded spring pitch front and rear contribute significantly to vibration absorption. The springs have also been set lower in the rear to naturally draw the occupant snugly into the seat. Furthermore, the urethane backing on the seat covering has been made thicker for improved comfort and a firmer hold.
The range of the seat height adjuster on the driver’s seat has been increased to 50mm. The ratchet-style adjuster allows the driver to easily adjust the seat to the optimum height simply by moving the seat-side lever up and down. The steering wheel is equipped with a tilt mechanism, along with a telescopic device to allow the driver to slide it forward or back. Both devices provide an adjustment range of 40mm, which, in combination with the seat positioning, enable the driver to easily find the optimum driving position.
Increased overall body width results in a wider interior, while modifications to the shape of the front seatback and a floor with minimized central tunnel height ensures a more spacious rear seat area.
The trunk is a spacious 438 liters, with minimal intrusion of the wheel housings. The Civic is also equipped with 6:4-split rear seats, which fold down easily with the pull of a lever located inside the trunk.
In the Civic Hybrid, the IPU (Intelligent Power Unit), which is located in the rear of the vehicle, has been made 13% more compact than the previous Civic Hybrid for minimum reduction of trunk volume. This ensures ample trunk space of 350 liters.
Chassis and Body
The wide stance contributes to improved drivability and a smoother ride. To help provide more direct, linear handling feel, the positioning of the steering gearbox, the structure of the body and sub-frame, and the symmetry of the suspension have been comprehensively redesigned.
The strut front suspension provides outstanding space efficiency. A side-force canceling spring reduces shock absorber friction for improved ride comfort, while making for a more compact suspension. The rear suspension employs a compact, reactive-link, double-wishbone design. The shock absorber and spring, formerly a single unit, have been separated and positioned slightly behind the wheel center for improved tire contact and a more comfortable ride, while at the same time contributing to reduced road noise.
The body achieves an extremely high level of rigidity, with 35% greater torsional rigidity than the previous model. Dynamic rigidity has also been improved by achieving the correct balance of rigidity front and rear, and by strengthening seams throughout the vehicle. This achieves a high degree of handling stability, while also improving ride comfort. Other innovations include the use of light, strong, high-tensile steel in approximately 50% of the body’s major frame components, the use of tailored blank welds in key areas, and combining steel plates of varying thicknesses and materials for efficient strengthening.
Reduction of crankshaft knocking and high-precision control of ignition timing to limit high-frequency ignition noise during combustion are just two of the measures employed to reduce engine noise at its source The engine mounts are supplemented by torque rods to absorb longitudinal engine vibration. This considerably reduces the transmission of engine vibration and contributes to more linear handling.
The cabin area employs flat joints between the plates for the center pillars, rear wheel housings, and trunk area to reduce the number of holes and gaps, while the bottom portion of each pillar is insulated with urethane foam to reduce noise in the cabin interior. Light, high-performance sound insulation materials are also optimally positioned in the floor and central roof area to achieve high levels of noise reduction and weight reduction.
Advanced Features
The IHCC (Intelligent Highway Cruise Control) vehicle speed and distance control system helps reduce the burden on the driver during freeway driving. It assesses driving conditions using data from a millimeter-wave radar unit built into the front grille of the vehicle that measures the distance to the vehicle ahead, along with data from vehicle speed and yaw rate sensors. In addition to maintaining the vehicle at a set speed, this cruise control system automatically regulates vehicle speed and distance depending on whether or not there is a vehicle in the same lane ahead.
The Honda HDD InterNavi System with rear camera utilizes the enormous information storage of a high-capacity hard drive to deliver a wide range of information. The 7-inch touch-panel display provides an easy-to-see, easy-to-operate interface, while Bluetooth compatibility enables wireless connection with cellular phones for even more powerful communications capabilities.
Safety Performance
The Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system—which includes the Antilock Brake System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), and sideslip control—works in combination with the DBW electronic throttle control that optimizes engine torque to achieve precision handling.
The Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMS) uses millimeter-wave radar, assessing collision risk based on inter-vehicle distance and relative vehicle speeds. As assessed collision risk increases, the system uses audio and tactile warnings and light braking to alert the driver and prompt preventative action, activating the brakes more firmly to reduce vehicle speed and mitigate damage and injuries in the event of a collision.
E-pretensioners (driver and passenger seats) work in concert with the CMS, pulling gently on the seat belts when the risk of a collision is detected, and more forcefully when assessed risk is increased, providing increased restraining effect.
The vehicle’s crash compatibility body provides a high level of self-protection and also improves compatibility toward other vehicle. In a full-frontal collision, the upper frame and lower members distribute and absorb the energy of impact, diffusing it into the front pillar and floor. At the time of impact, the lower members prevent misalignment with the crash-absorbing members of the other vehicle, and together with the upper frame create a broadened surface with which to absorb the impact, significantly reducing cabin intrusion.
The vehicle is also designed to mitigate pedestrian injury in the event of a collision, particularly to the head and legs, thanks to the use of impact-absorbing structures.
In addition to the front-seat i-side air bags, a side curtain airbag system also protects front-seat occupants.
The vehicle is also equipped with active headrests, which utilize link mechanisms located in the seat backs to move the headrests forward and support occupants’ heads when the occupants are forced backward into their seats in the event of a rear-end collision. In addition to the link mechanism, which moves the headrest upward and tilts it forward into the appropriate position, an inertial stopper holds the headrest in position even after pressure on the seatback is reduced, significantly reducing load on the neck area.
Environmental Performance
The use of a precision air-fuel ratio control system and high-density catalytic converter has achieved major reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and other harmful substances. All types have been certified by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport as having achieved a 75% reduction with respect to emissions regulations for 2005.
i-VTEC valve control and other high-efficiency combustion technologies, precise coordination between engine and transmission, and lightweight engine construction contribute to superior fuel economy: the Civic 1.8B, 1.8G with 5-speed automatic transmission, 1.8GL and the 1.8S all achieve excellent fuel economy of 17.0km/l, exceeding Japanese government fuel economy standards for 2010 by 5%. The Civic Hybrid utilizes motor assist to significantly reduce the load on the engine, achieving ultra-high fuel economy of 28.5km/l for the MX and 31.0km/l for the MXB, which also exceeds Japanese fuel economy standards for 2010 by 5%. The engine also achieves outstanding emissions performance and is recognized by the Japanese government as attaining emission levels 75% below 2005 standards, earning it preferred status under Green Tax program in
PVC use has been eliminated from interior and exterior components wherever possible to achieve over 90% recyclability.
Surface materials in the instrument panel, door linings, and other areas, as well as adhesives used in the glass and door seals, have been reevaluated to reduce the use of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, toluene, and other VOCs , thought to be a contributing factor in sick house syndrome. VOC levels have been reduced to within the indoor density guidelines set out by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to improve air quality inside the vehicle.
