Detailed, live images from the North American reveal of the 2016 Honda Civic sedan in Los Angeles brings us up and close with the subject. Now, we may, or may not get one in India, but that doesn’t stop us from gawking, and see how the latest generation Civic, one of India’s loved cars, has turned out to be. In its tenth generation now, the Honda Civic is built around an all-new platform and gets all-new power-trains. But let’s check the new styling first!
The new Civic’s appearance breaks away from the current generation’s cab-forward stance, and goes for a four-door coupe profile that seems to be the new fad.
The H-face involves a chunky chrome element that characterises the fascia, along with sleekly styled, optional full LED headlamps.
The waist line rises from the front fenders, arching high over the rear wheels and gently falling before merging into the C-shaped LED tail lamps, which come as standard.
The 2016 Civic Sedan is nearly 2 inches wider than its predecessor, along with a 1.2-inch longer wheelbase, the latter endowing it with an additional 3.7 cubic feet of interior space with 2 inches of extra rear-seat legroom, while trunk space has been increased by 73 liters. The new chassis accounts for 31 Kg of weight savings, amongst other things. The body is 25 percent more rigid, thanks in part to the more intensive use of ultra-high-strength steel, while aerodynamics have been improved by 12 percent. Let’s have a look at how the interiors have evolved :
The interiors are not as radically appointed as the last generation, or maybe times have changed. The dashboard’s design bears a family resemblance to the Jazz..
..while the fully digital instrument cluster is divided into three segments.
A 7-inch touch-screen display equipped infotainment system takes centre stage on the console, which can be specified to run both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Power-trains
The EX-T, EX-L and new Touring variants will receive an all-new a 1.5-litre, direct-injected and turbocharged, 16-valve, in-line-4 cylinder petrol engine which makes 174 horsepower (31 more than current model) and is paired with a CVT. Less endowed LX and EX variants will come with a new 2.0-litre, i-VTEC, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine which makes 158 horsepower (15 HP more than current model) and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission on the LX and a CVT on the EX. Later on, a high-performance Si model, which will also spawn a 5-door hatchback (a first for Honda Cars in America) is expected to début with a 2.0-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol engine good for 306 hp.
Dynamics
The new chassis employs a revamped strut front suspension and a new multi-link rear suspension mounted to an ultra-rigid rear subframe, while other additions include a variable gear ratio steering, strengthened front and rear stabilizer bars, standard 4-wheel disc brakes and Honda’s Agile Handling Assist brake-torque vectoring technology.
Safety and Features
Honda hasn’t disclosed too many details, but is expecting the Civic to bear the highest crash rating for any compact car. Other features and appointments include a lower, sportier seating position, improved levels of refinement that’s “unprecedented in a compact car”, a 450-watt 10-speaker system in the Touring trim, which is the most powerful audio system in the competitive set, Standard Pandora compatibility and HD radio.
Images : CivicX.com
personally, i didn't like that jazz inspired tail lamp ! 🙁
Bravo Honda, this new Civic is lip-smacking gorgeous, and very very modern looking.
My next car a long way off, but this Civic certainly gets high on the look-out list.