Honda Australia has launched the eighth-generation Civic with new levels of power, fuel economy, refinement and comfort.

Available in four variants – including a petrol-electric hybrid – the 2006 Civic sedan range brings a fresh dose of driving enjoyment, sophistication, advanced engineering and contemporary styling to the Australian small car segment.

Spearheading the Civic lineup is the Civic Sport powered by a 114kW, 2.0-litre DOHC i-VTEC (variable Valve Timing and Lift with Electronic Control) engine. The Civic Sport takes line honours as the “sportiest” Civic ever with its 2.0-litre engine pumping out 188Nm at 4,200rpm.

The entry-level Civic VTi and the luxury Civic VTi-L receive a newly-developed 1.8-litre i-VTEC, 103 kW (174Nm) engine. Compared with the superseded 1.7-litre Civic GLi sedan, power has increased by 15kW.

Honda’s fuel-saving Civic Hybrid returns with a 1.3-litre VTEC petrol engine paired with an Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system to produce 85 kW (170Nm) while delivering significant boosts in fuel economy.

The engines in the new Civic range are both powerful and frugal, thanks to improvements to Honda’s i-VTEC engine technology.

Despite the increase in power output, the 1.8-litre powered Civic VTi and VTi-L achieve fuel consumption figures of 6.9 litres per 100km (manual) and 7.3 litres per 100km (automatic) – which is better than the superseded 1.7-litre Civic GLi sedan.

The 2.0-litre Civic Sport has fuel consumption figures of 7.9 litre per 100km (manual) and 8.0 litres per 100km (automatic) – using just 0.6 litres per 100km more than the outgoing 1.7-litre Civic GLi while gaining an extra 26kW and 38Nm.

The Civic Hybrid uses improvements in 1.3-litre petrol engine as well as its IMA system to achieve a fuel economy figure of just 4.6 litres per 100km.

The Civic range is offered with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission - the latter a first for Civic - while the Civic Hybrid features an improved Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for smoother gear changing.

The 2.0-litre Civic Sport models equipped with an automatic transmission feature F1-style steering-wheel-mounted gear shift paddles for enhanced driving response - another first for Civic.

The 2006 Civic is longer, lower, wider and more aerodynamic than its predecessor. The car’s low and wide stance provides a more aggressive and sporty look than the previous model.

On the inside, Honda stylists and engineers focused on sophistication to provide a high-quality, advanced and spacious interior with the latest technology, expanded storage and innovative ergonomics.

The driver’s instrument panel has been designed around the “Multiplex Meter” concept, in which important driving information, including vehicle speed, is displayed in the upper part of the instrument panel while other information is provided in the lower part. This design allows the driver to concentrate on the road while receiving vital information, enhancing the easy-to-operate and fun-to-drive character of the car.

The Civic Sedan offers a great deal of versatility thanks to the “flat floor” design, allowing large and bulky items to be carried. The boot alone can accommodate large items in its 376 litre capacity – including golf bags, several cases or even a wheel chair.

To carry even larger items, the rear seats can be folded down to provide a 485 litre sized cargo space, thanks the positioning of the fuel tank underneath the floor. The rear seats also have a one-motion, dive-down feature that instantaneously provides a flat loading space. This can be done with the rear seat fold down lever located in the boot for easier loading of items.

The Civic VTi features a single-fold rear seat, while the VTi-L and Sport gain a 60/40 split fold seat. (The Civic Hybrid’s IMA battery pack is mounted behind the rear seat back so the seats cannot be folded down).

All this flexibility translates into a hidden versatility not normally found in a small sedan.

Safety for both occupants and pedestrians alike is an important goal of Honda’s R&D department. The Civic range has an array of safety equipment, including G-CON body cell, two front airbags standard on each model.

Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) and cruise control are standard across the range. A new rear right/left independent Electronic Brake force Distribution is used in conjunction with the ABS to maintain vehicle stability and help prevent rear-end steer in emergency braking.

The Civic Hybrid receives a number of mechanical upgrades for 2006, including an improved Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system to give Honda’s fourth-generation hybrid more power and greater fuel economy, better battery recharge and a new dual-scroll compressor driving the air conditioning system. A significant new feature is that the car is now capable of running on purely electric power at low speeds.

With a maximum combined power output of 85kW, the Civic Hybrid is the most powerful hybrid available in Australia today.

“The Civic has the classic Honda values of reliability, practicality, safety, power, fuel efficiency and is fun to drive,” said Honda Australia Senior Director Lindsay Smalley.

“The eighth-generation Civic will appeal to existing Civic owners as well as buyers looking for a combination of style and substance in the small-car sedan market.”

Current Civic sedan owners nominate reliability, quality, practicality, value for money, running costs and resale values as strengths of the car.

Honda Australia has set a yearly sales target for the total Civic range of 12,000 units.

2006 Civic Prices

Civic VTi (manual)	$20,990
Civic VTi (auto)	$22,990
Civic VTi-L (manual)	$24,490
Civic VTi-L (auto)	$26,490
Civic Sport (manual)	$29,990
Civic Sport (auto)	$31,990
Civic Hybrid	$31,990

*Includes GST. Excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges. Metallic and pearlescent paint $300 extra on some models.

Warranty

All new Honda motor vehicles are covered by a 3 year, 100,000 kilometre warranty.

New Honda motor vehicles are also covered by:

• 6 years rust perforation warranty
• 3 year paint warranty.

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