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Redesign: 2012 Honda Civic

John Suit — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:00:17 +0000

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

The current-generation Honda Civic has been on sale since 2005 as a 2006 model. That’s a long time for any car to go without a full redesign, the 2009 visual changes not withstanding. For 2009, the main changes were the front and rear bumpers, as well as a new wheel design. For the 2012 model, it was expected that Honda would release a fully new design. Based on the pictures, Honda is playing it safe with their new bread-and-butter commuter car. Read on for more details, pictures and the full press release from Honda.

2012 Honda Civic Si Sedan

Instead of a new design, the 2012 Civic is more evolutionary than revolutionary, keeping a lot of the same aerodynamic sheet metal the current car is known for. The new car has some more sculpting from front to rear, making for a less drab appearance all around. From the front view, the bulbous rear taillamps have a Toyota Corolla-esque appearance, which detracts from the overall design.

2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe

Those same taillamps, when actually viewed from the back, looks like a cross between a Honda CRX and a Scion tC, which gives the car a large rear.

Meanwhile, the extra scalloping on the doors adds a lot of visual appeal over the outgoing model. Overall, I give the design a thumbs up, but it fails to really capture my attention. The America-only Coupe, however, benefits the most from the new design.

2012 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan with navigation interior

Inside, the new Civic shows quite a bit of focus, mostly on the driver. The driver-oriented cockpit angles the instruments and navigation display towards the driver, which reminds me a lot of the early-90s Mercury Cougar, albeit with 21st-century technology.

The two-level digital dashboard grows up, with more detailed instruments and what appears to be a secondary display between the speedometer and navigation display. Hopefully we’ll see more information about this secondary display as the Civic gets closer to launch.

2012 Honda Civic EX Coupe

Along with the sheetmetal and interior changes, the new Civic gets new fuel economy numbers. For base and HF models, the highway fuel economy is supposed to be 41 and 39 mpg, respectively. The sporty Si model gets a new (for it) 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, which is the same one out of the base Accord, achieving 200 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. While the horsepower hasn’t increased, the torque has, by 22 percent, while still sipping fuel to the tune of 31 mpg on the highway. This last number isn’t all that impressive, especially considering the 2011 Ford Mustang V6 is EPA-rated at 31 mpg on the highway, when equipped with its automatic transmission.

Finally, a new Civic has bowed. Whether or not it continues its great success is still to be seen, with ever more competitive rivals from Ford, GM, Hyundai and Kia. At least Honda is continuing the base, HF, Si, and Hybrid models, with coupe versions of the base and Si.

Show Press Release

All-New 2012 Honda Civic Emphasizes Style, Fuel Economy and Performance

Two models offer 40+ mpg

02/17/2011 – TORRANCE, Calif.

Featuring the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic is designed to even better meet the diverse needs of the compact-vehicle buyer when it launches this spring. The entire redesigned ninth-generation Civic lineup will become more fuel efficient with two models – the all-new Civic HF and the Civic Hybrid – each delivering fuel economy estimates of more than 40 mpg on the highway.

Built on the tradition of Honda fuel efficiency, the economical Civic HF model will be the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only powered Civic in the lineup when it launches this spring. Equipped with a 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the Civic HF is targeted to earn EPA-estimated fuel economy1 of 41 mpg on the highway. The 2012 Civic Hybrid, which will be outfitted for the first time with a lithium-ion battery and a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated city/highway combined fuel economy1 of 45 mpg, an improvement of 4 mpg compared to the current Civic Hybrid. Both the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models will be equipped with aerodynamic components for improved efficiency and Honda ECO Assist™ technology, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback to promote more efficient individual driving styles.

“The Civic is the only model in the industry that can deliver on all fronts – fuel economy, sporty performance, smart packaging, alternative fuel and long-term value,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda Motor Co.,Inc. “For the ninth-generation Civic, we are emphasizing improved fuel economy across the board, from the hybrid sedan to the sporty Si model.”

In addition to the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models, the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic GX Natural Gas models are also estimated to achieve improved fuel economy compared to the current models. The Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy2 of 39 mpg on the highway, an improvement of 3 mpg when compared to the current model. The Civic Natural Gas vehicle is anticipated to earn a 7 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the current model. The Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic Natural Gas models will all be equipped with the Honda ECO Assist technology.

Along with improved fuel economy, the new Civic lineup also delivers more performance, particularly with the Civic Si. The Civic Si sedan and coupe models will be equipped with a larger, more powerful 2.4-liter engine as well as a new 6-speed manual transmission. The new engine is anticipated to deliver 200 horsepower with 170 ft-lb of torque. Even with the larger engine and a 22 percent increase in torque, Civic Si is targeted to achieve an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy1 of 31 mpg; an increase of 2 mpg when compared to the current model.

The 2012 Civic lineup includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, a new “HF” high fuel economy version, two sporty “Si” performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant.
Additional information on the new 2012 Civic will be announced closer to the on-sale date. For more information on the current Civic and other Honda models, please visit www.hondanews.com.

Civic HF, Sedan, Coupe and Natural Gas Specifications

140 horsepower, 1.8-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine
5-speed automatic transmission
ECO Assist technology
EPA-estimated Civic HF highway fuel economy: 41 mpg
EPA-estimated Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe highway fuel economy: 39 mpg

Civic Hybrid Specifications

110 horsepower, 1.5-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine (combined gasoline + electric)
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Lithium-ion battery
ECO Assist technology
EPA-estimated Civic Hybrid city/highway combined fuel economy: 45 mpg

Civic Si Specifications

200 horsepower and 170 lb-ft, 2.4-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine
6-speed manual transmission
EPA-estimated Civic Si highway fuel economy: 31 mpg

¹Preliminary EPA mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

²Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

by John Suit

Source: Honda

2012 Honda Civic debuts at Detroit Auto Show

John Suit — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:00:42 +0000

I don’t often show pre-production vehicles, but the “concept” label on the upcoming Honda Civic is a title for titles’ sake. In reality, the car shown here will be released as-is to consumers in the Spring of this year. Replacing the 2006-2011 model, the new Civic has a lot to work for. Between its release and today, the current generation Civic has a lot more, and a lot better, competition. Cars like the new Ford Focus, Hyundai’s Elantra and Chevrolet’s Cruze all bring more to the table. Click past the jump to see my first impressions, pictures and the press release.

The current-generation car is a forward-looking, safe, efficient car. I owned a 2008 Civic Sedan, which I put almost 15,000 miles on. In that time, I was consistently impressed with the fit and finish, build quality and overall efficiency of the car, as well as its interior design, seat comfort, and driving dynamics. While it was no “corner carver,” it held its own on the road, and returned phenomenal fuel mileage no matter the situation.

The new car is an evolution of this, with a more fuel-efficient engine, additional safety equipment, and more technology. While official EPA numbers are not yet available, I’d expect the manual transmission-equipped Civic sedan to achieve 29/38 city/highway MPGs, with automatics getting 27/37 MPGs. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) will be standard, which will help mitigate errant driving maneuvers. Honda hasn’t said what specifically will be available technology-wise, but given the current model’s available navigation and radio options, expect Bluetooth, iPod/MP3 player connectivity and other infotainment features.

Viewing the concept car, the car very closely resembles the current-generation car, but gives a much sportier presentation, even in non-Si trim. While the wheel choices may change and the tinted taillights will probably be more clear, the rest looks production-ready. Less drab slabs of metal adorn the sides of the car, and the front and rear bumpers show more character as well. Overall, a more swoopy appearance is visible from the concept photos.

The new Civic goes on sale sometime this coming Spring, so look back for pricing information closer to its official release.

Show Press Release

The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe and Civic Concept sedan are making world debuts at the North American International Auto Show today, providing the first official glimpse at the styling direction of the all-new, ninth-generation 2012 model set to go on sale this spring, the company announced.

“The Civic is known for providing a balance of ‘just-right’ packaging, fun-to-drive character and outstanding fuel economy, at a price that even first-time buyers can afford,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “The redesigned Civic builds on this legacy and promises to be the best Civic yet.”

The 2012 Civic embraces the company’s vision as a “Civic for all people,” a phrase originally expressed in defining the goal of the first-generation Civic. With the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic lineup intends to meet the needs of an increasing group of compact-vehicle buyers with a renewed vision of a “Civic for all people.” The diverse vehicle range includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, two sporty “Si” performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant. Collectively the depth of the Civic line offers a compelling balance between fuel economy, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance unlike any other vehicle in the industry.

As a new interpretation of the current Civic’s iconic “one-motion” mono-form shape, the upcoming, ninth-generation Civic conveys a more substantial, high-energy appearance. The exterior styling of both Civic concept models showcases the sedan’s and coupe’s clean-yet-powerful lines with steeply raked windshields, wide stances and pronounced character lines along the profile. The lower character line on both models broadens toward the rear fenders to enhance the dynamic feeling of forward energy. The front fender surface treatments form a complex, three-dimensional look to further enhance the image of sophistication and structural depth against the deeply set headlights.

The Civic Concept sedan takes on a sophisticated presence with a front grille defined by crisp lines and a solid bar that integrates a chrome Honda emblem. The look of the Civic Si Concept coupe conveys an aggressive demeanor with a more angular front fascia, mesh grille and a tapered rear roofline that flows smoothly into the trunk. The Civic Si Concept coupe is exclusively equipped with a rear air diffuser, a center-mounted exhaust outlet and a rear deck lid spoiler with dual vents. Each concept model has 19-inch machined alloy wheels.

Powertrain Technology
The Civic’s family of engines with “intelligent” Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC®) technology become even more fuel efficient for 2012. The upcoming Civic Hybrid offers the latest generation of the compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) gasoline-electric hybrid system and features the first application of a lithium-ion battery in a Honda hybrid.

Building on its emphasis on fuel-economy, most upcoming Civic models receive Honda Eco Assist™ technology, already available in the CR-Z and Insight hybrids. The 2012 Civic is the first U.S. Honda model to employ Eco Assist technology in a gasoline-only powered vehicle. Eco Assist is just one example of how the new Civic can be customized and configured by the drivers to suit individual preferences.

Additionally, Honda is expanding retail sales of the natural gas-powered Civic GX model, which is the only OEM-built, dedicated CNG passenger car assembled in America. The increased availability of the Civic GX helps bring inherently clean-burning natural gas technology to an even broader audience while also supporting diversity in transportation energy resources.

Safety
The 2012 Civic continues to emphasize safety and is anticipated to score well in both the federal government’s New Car Assessment Program¹ (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety² (IIHS) vehicle evaluations. The 2001 Honda Civic Coupe was one of the first two passenger cars ever to earn the federal government’s top 5-star crash safety rating³ for the driver and front- and rear-seat passengers in both frontal and side-impact crash tests.

All 2012 Civics are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) as standard equipment. Additionally, the ninth-generation Civic continues to provide Honda’s exclusive and innovative Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for frontal collision energy management.

Accolades and Manufacturing
As a top-selling model for Honda, the current, eighth-generation Civic has sold more than 1.5 million units since the 2006 model went on sale in late 2005. The 2006 Civic earned both the prestigious Motor Trend “Car of the Year” and the North American Car of the Year awards.

The current-generation Civic continues to be a significant entry-point to the Honda brand for younger buyers, introducing on average more than 90,000 new-car customers under the age of 35 to the brand every year. More than 95 percent of all Civics sold in the U.S. as of calendar-year 2010 were made⁴ in North America at manufacturing facilities in either Greensburg, Indiana or Alliston, Ontario in Canada.

by John Suit

Source: Honda

Honda recalling over 380,000 vehicles because of Runaway risk

John Suit — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:00:02 +0000

2003 Honda Element

The NHTSA has reported that certain Honda vehicles can have their “interlock” devices defeated. Confused? The interlock device they’re referring to is the one which stops the key from being removed while the gear selector is in a position other than Park. Click past the jump for the affected vehicles and a more in-depth explanation.

2003 Honda Accord

If your car or truck is equipped with an automatic transmission, as soon as you take the vehicle out of Park and put it into any other gear, usually Reverse, Neutral or Drive, the ignition locks your key in so it can’t be removed. This prevents you from taking the key out while the car is potentially in motion. If this interlock were to fail, you could accidentally leave your car in neutral when getting out, letting it roll away and out of control.

Honda has verified that the following vehicles are equipped with faulty interlocks:

2003 Honda Civic
2003 Honda Accord
2003-2004 Honda Element

2003 Honda Civic

Only vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions are affected by this recall, and dealers will be replacing the ignition interlock free of charge starting at the end of September.

by John Suit

Source: NHTSA, Honda

Toyota announces changes for 2011 Scion tC

John Suit — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:15:06 +0000

Even though the Scion vehicles were originally slated for one generation before complete replacements arrived, it looks like parent company Toyota has changed their mind. Since they already diverged from the plan with the 2nd generation xB in 2008, Toyota has redesigned the tC for the 2011 model year. The look is more polarizing, the featureset richer, but the price is still in line. Click past the jump for details and pictures on the upcoming car.

When Toyota realized that its average customers were getting closer to Buick’s than they liked, they came up with the Scion brand. Specifically marketed towards young drivers, males in particular, the brand has several inexpensively-priced, quirky-looking boxes, and the tC. By far the most popular, the tC has led to a customer base whose median age is 26 years old. But, while originally favored by young males, young females have been buying up tCs for the past few years, and this is one of the things Toyota wanted to correct.

To that end, they’ve created a “helmet visor” roof by blacking out the sides of the windshield frame and the separator between the front and rear side glass, also known as the A and B pillars. The new tC’s profile now looks like a helmet, and is decidedly more masculine, although I find it to be a bit polarizing, as it’s taken some time to grow on me.

The front end of the new car is probably the least worked-over part of the exterior sheetmetal, and it looks handsome. Meanwhile, out back, the only congruous line is the one sculpted at the bottom of the rear fascia, which is a carryover from the bottoms of both doors and rear fenders. The rest of it just doesn’t work for me, but then again, that’s why it’s polarizing.

Inside the new tC it’s a much better situation. There appear to be better materials, at least with better textures to them, and while the radio still looks like an aftermarket install, you at least get the option of satellite navigation and HD radio this time around. The thick steering wheel with auxiliary radio controls looks good, and it’s interesting to see an “active 3-way front stage” (in audiophile speak) of speakers all on the doors, including the tweeter, mid-range speaker and woofer from top to bottom. Toyota even mentions that the new tC shares some of its stereo components with the Lexus LX470.

The seats continue their funky look, but without having sat in one, I still say they look comfortable, and the patterns on them break up what could otherwise be a monotone interior. Behind the rear seats, you’ll find the familiar hatchback setup, and apparently the rear seats split 60/40, to give even more cargo room.

The tC carries on with its glass roof design, which I always thought was a nice touch for a car in its class. Usually you only see roofs like this one on luxury vehicles and 3-row crossovers.

Feature-wise, the “base” tC comes with ABS, Toyota’s brake-override system, airbags a-plenty, a 300-watt stereo (including iPod/USB hookup), satellite radio (capable), 18″ wheels (almost unheard of in the tC’s class), as well as just about any other amenity you’d expect for under $20k.

Options, on the other hand, are not so numerous: satellite navigation (either an add-on module and a built-in module), HD radio, BlueTooth hands-free phone capability, interior bits and baubles, and of course a bevy of TRD (Toyota Racing Development) add-ons to boost performance, handling or braking.

Fuel mileage is the same for both the 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions, at 23/31/26 city/highway/combined. Those are slight improvements from the previous model, with a modest bump in power due to direct injection, a now-mainstream technology which improves performance and fuel economy at the same time.

Overall, the new tC still presents itself as quite the value, although I’ll have to drive one before I can see if Toyota’s claims that it’s faster and handles better are true. Starting at $18,275 ($19,275 with automatic transmission) and adding on a $720 destination charge brings you awfully close to the $20,000 mark, so it’s more costly than the cars it’s cross-shopped against; namely the Honda Civic (non EX-L models) and Toyota Corolla. If you’re in the market for an inexpensive car with a lot of upmarket features, though, the Scion tC is definitely not a bad way to go. The 2011 Scion tC should hit showrooms sometime this fall.

by John Suit

Source: Toyota

GM’s Aveo RS: Not just an econobox anymore?

John Suit — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:14:04 +0000

At this year’s Detroit Auto Show, GM took the wraps off of its Aveo RS, its first entry into the burgeoning Premium Small Car market. The Mini Cooper, built by BMW, started the market, also known as the “C Segment” cars, but nowhere near the traditional C Segment cars of late. With the Ford Fiesta, Mazda Mazda2, and a host of others, Chevrolet is tossing its hat into the ring with a redesigned Aveo. The first model, the RS, is a performance-oriented version of the Aveo, but still keeps part of its focus on fuel economy, and the rest on premium features and materials.

In addition to increasing its size and amenities, GM is following the current trend by adding personalization options to the new Aveo. Details are light concerning the personalization options, but we do know about the power level is this: the Aveo RS uses the same engine as the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze, a 1.4-liter EcoTec 4-cylinder comparable to the power in the 2006-up Honda Civic.

With 19″ wheels and an aggressive look, it looks like it will be popular with younger buyers, with an overall look reminiscent of the Honda Fit and Volkswagen Jetta, but better, in my opinion. With shorter side glass and more sculpted sides, the Aveo RS presents a handsome package.

It will be interesting to see how the Aveo RS sells, once it’s brought to market later this year. If the interior quality of the show car is carried over to production units and the design isn’t changed from what you see in the pictures here, then GM might have a good chance of selling a lot of them.

by John Suit

Source: Chevrolet

Industry Update: Top-Selling Vehicles of 2009

roadreality — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:00:10 +0000

2010 F-150 Front

For automakers, 2009 has been tumultuous, to say the least. With all the troubles manufacturers have had, it’s no surprise that year-to-year sales are way down. Whereas 2008 saw the sales of 13.2 million vehicles, that number was down from 2007′s sales of 16.1 million vehicles. Sales in 2009 are predicted to be around 10.5 million, a precipitous decline. Despite the overall slump in sales, there are still winners and losers. AutoBlog does a good job of listing them, so click here to see their list, complete with pictures. Click through the jump to see the list here.

The list, sans pictures, is as follows:

10. Honda Civic
9. Ford Fusion
8. Honda CR-V
7. Ford Escape
6. Nissan Altima
5. Honda Accord
4. Toyota Corolla
3. Chevrolet Silverado
2. Toyota Camry
1. Ford F-150

by John Suit

Source: AutoBlog