Press Release
Sporting Design
- Type S and Type R share distinctive silhouette and compact dimensions of Civic 5-door range
- Fuel tank under the front seats
- Fully integrated side skirts and wider rear track stance
- Type R has even more assertive styling
- Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure
Thanks to the compact external dimensions and flowing body lines the sporting Civic 3-door conveys a dynamic appearance at first sight. The silhouette is the same as the Civic 5-door range. Sporting accessories further emphasize the coupe character. The doors, the rear side panels, the skirts plus the front and rear bumpers have been remodelled. The tapering shape of the rear side panels also ensures a sleek profile.
The new models also feature side skirts which flare outwards and blend seamlessly into the front and rear wheel arch surrounds. These in turn flow into the front and rear spoilers to complete the body structure as if from a single casting. On the Type S the spoilers are finished in a gun metallic colour while they are body colour on Type R.
The deep front air intake, together with standard 17� alloy wheels and a wider rear track provide the Type S with a particularly muscular and planted look.
In a clear indication of its potent nature, the Type R possesses even more assertive looks. A 15 mm lower ride height, standard seven-spoke 18� alloy wheels and a deep front spoiler and black honeycomb radiator grille mean there is no mistaking Honda’s new superhatch, while a black honeycomb mesh grille sporting a red ‘H’ badge replaces the central glass panel of the Type S and Civic 5-door. Models with top of the range equipment feature large triangular front foglamps whose shape mirrors the large exhaust tailpipes at the rear. While more discreet than on the outgoing car, Type R logos feature on the front brake callipers and on the stainless steel door sill treads.
Civic family architecture
Uniquely in the segment, Civic models feature a centrally-mounted 50 litre fuel tank beneath the front seats, an elegant approach that affords excellent protection in the event of an accident. More free space is provided in the rear of the car for an optimized luggage compartment.
By this unique construction concept, the Honda Civic has a boot capacity of 485 litres – a top dimension in this class.
Because of its sporting vehicle dynamics and the strong motorization, the Type R requires a stiffer body structure than the normal Civic models. Therefore it has been given strengthened cross-members in the vehicle floor. Some are located directly in front of the fuel tank, another attached across the rear suspension mounting points. The front axle wheel suspension points are mutually supported by a diagonal tie.
Like all Civic models, the two sporting 3-doors have also been given a continuous under-floor coating for improving the aerodynamics. This helps to lower fuel consumption and reduces the vehicle noise considerably during fast driving. Because of the new profile of the external mirror and the aerodynamic edge shaping on the pillars, wind noise, which is particularly sensitive for the driver, has been cut to a great extent. New, flat wiper blades also contribute to noise reduction. They operate without rubbing and are noticeably quieter at high speeds. New, particularly lightweight synthetic and noise absorbing materials in cavities and on large areas of bodywork insulate against vibrations. Unwanted vibrations from the engine bay are reduced by an engine suspension system with a torsion bar-like support on the front subframe. This is optimized to the particular engine mass.
Easier Entry
In every modern 3-door car the doors are in principle wider than those in the 5-door models, so as to make it easier to get into the back seats. However, this limits the opening angle in tight parking slots – when cars are parked close together. To prevent unintentional damage when opening doors, Honda uses three-stage door rebound straps in the 3-doors. In the first notch (opening angle 24 degrees) the door has a 32.8 centimetre opening. In the second stage (opening angle 44 degrees) the door opens 72.2 centimetres. With the door fully open (opening angle 58 degrees) the entry width is an impressive 98.8 centimetres.
The electric tailgate release is opened by pressing a button and renders an external handle superfluous. This is convenient and enhances vehicle security: cars stopping at crossings can therefore not be quickly opened and the luggage boot robbed by thieves.
Passive safety
Well protected
The vehicle nose is the most important area of the front crumple zone. In the event of a crash, the greatest possible amount of energy should be absorbed here by deformation. The greater the area and the more deformable material there is, the easier it is for this task to be performed. The short nose “cab forward� design of the Civic provided a tough challenge for Honda’s crash safety engineers, so there had to be special solutions.
One consists of using aluminium to make the front subframe and the torsion bar spring of the engine suspension system. Advantage: such a construction and material combination can absorb a large amount of energy in an impact. To protect the occupants, the lower dash panel covering, the C-pillar and the tailgate opening have been given additional bracing, which functions as a part of the occupant’s safety cage in the case of a crash.
A key element in Civic's outstanding crash performance is Honda's recently developed Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. In a conventional body structure the loads from a frontal collision are generally concentrated through two bearers running longitudinally through the lower portion of the underbody. In the Civic, on the other hand, the impact loads branch and are lead around the passenger cell via various paths. While additional steel plates in the floor area, side panel and roof deform, and pre-notched extruded profiles fold up, the occupants stay for the most part spared from the hard impacts and the menacing energy. Since the tank is located centrally under the front seats it has to be especially well protected. As well as surrounding the tank by a special frame on all four sides, the front cross member has been specially strengthened directly ahead of the tank. Since the tank does not occupy the full width of the floor, the space either side of it is used as an energy absorption area. The frame structure is designed to direct the impact energy around it.
The passive safety features in the new Civic passenger compartment include retracting foot pedals, double pre-tensioners for the front seats and standard on most models, side-curtain airbags.
Responsibility for other road users
Honda attaches great importance to partner and pedestrian protection when it comes to new bodywork developments. In the case of the three-door Civic energy-absorbing, deforming wiper pivots and bonnet hinges that compress under impact are used. The front bumper with the rounded shape, the headlights and the H-badge are so designed that they slide back by 2 centimetres under a light impact. This will absorb energy so that it cannot damage the weaker party in the accident.
Children are also very well protected inside the Civic Type S and Type R sporting variants and naturally the rear seats have built in ISOFIX fixtures and tether anchor points for the secure attachment of child seats.
Optimum occupant protection
Active front seat headrests on Type S play a key role in protecting against the unpleasant consequences of a skid – which occurs frequently in rear-end collisions. They are shot forward by the movement of the body and protectively hold the rear of the occupant’s head. This reduces the forces affecting the throat and neck and also the risk of injury.
Type R models feature large supportive headrests that are integral with the backs of the bucket seats.
All new Civic models are fitted with a rear seatbelt warning system. In the display the driver can see a symbol for belted up occupants. If the seats are occupied but the belts are not fastened, the symbol switches to the warning function. The front seats are fitted with double pre-tensioners. One pre-tensioner is located on the B-pillar, the other on the inner buckle.
