Honda flexes muscle, unveils Civic’s full line-up

POSING with the Modulo-equipped Civic 2.0 EL are, from left, Emmanuel Aligada, deputy CEO of Ayala Automotive Holdings Corp.; Medel Nera, president of House of Investments Inc.; Rufino Luis Manotok, chairman and CEO of Ayala Automotive Holdings Corp.; Tatsuya Natsume, president and GM of HCPI; Roberto Ong, GM of HCPI’s marketing and sales division; and Delfin de Guzman, head of HCPI’s administration division

Honda Cars Philippines is out to regain possession of the country’s midsize sedan market leadership. With stock arrivals now back to normal since last year’s Thailand floods halted production, HCPI recently unveiled the full variant line-up of the all-new Honda Civic.

The all-new Civic is now available in both 2.0-liter and 1.8-liter engine choices. While four of the five variants are equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission (paddle shifters available on the 2.0EL and 1.8E models) the 1.8S variant will also have a (5-speed) manual model.

“At the time we launched the all-new Civic last February, we only had one variant—the 1.8 EXI Special Edition. And yet, thanks to your support, the all-new Civic has been well received and has sold more than 1,200 units to date. Also contributing to this are the unique features of the all-new Civic that enhance the driving experience to our customers. This time, the market will now have more choices as we unveil the full variant line-up of the all-new Civic,” Tatsuya Natsume, HCPI president and GM, said.

Natsume said the availability of the full variant line-up will further strengthen HCPI’s position in the market by providing buyers with wider range of price and feature options.

Latest addition
The newly added 2.0-liter variant, equipped with an i-VTEC engine (price: P1.145 million or an additional P20,000 for Brilliant White color variant) generates a maximum power of 153 horsepower (at 6,300 rpm) and maximum torque equivalent to 190 Nm (at 4,300 rpm).

The 1.8-liter variant (prices: P908,000 for the manual 1.8S, P948,000 for the automatic 1.8S, P1.008 million for the automatic 1.8E, P1.074 million for the automatic 1.8EXI Special Edition), also i-VTEC engine-equipped, generates maximum power of 139 horsepower (at 6,500 rpm) and maximum torque of 174 Nm (at 4,300 rpm).

Evolved
“As each new-generation Civic aims to surpass the predecessors, this latest Civic indeed has evolved in terms of refinement, power and safety. I would also like to highlight that the Civic 2.0EL model is equipped with Modulo, Honda’s genuine accessory line, which are designed and developed in parallel with the development of the Honda vehicle. Because of this, the Modulo accessories further enhance the sporty characteristics of the Civic 2.0EL while also maintaining the vehicle warranty,” stressed Roberto Ong, HCPI Marketing and Sales Division GM.

HCPI explained that all variants of the all-new Civic feature two Honda innovations: the Eco Assist System and the Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID).

The Eco Assist System, made up of the ECON mode and the Eco coaching ambient meter, controls the engine, drive-by-wire, transmission and air conditioner to further improve the already outstanding fuel efficiency of the all-new Civic.

Eco-coaching
The Eco-coaching ambient meter in the instrument panel guides the driver to become more fuel-efficient by measuring throttle input. Thus, a blue color lights up when throttle input is heavy, and changes to green light when throttle input is light.

Another update done on all variants of the all-new Civic is the addition of Honda’s first 5-inch color LCD Intelligent Multi-Information Display. The i-MID menu shows audio and fuel consumption information and also allows the driver to customize some vehicle settings.

The all-new Civic will be offered in the following color variants: Urban Titanium, Carnelian Red, Crystal Black, Taffeta White (exclusive to 1.8EXI, 1.8E, and 1.8S variants), Brilliant White (exclusive to 2.0EL variant), Frosty White (exclusive to 1.8E variant) and Alabaster Silver (exclusive to 1.8S variant).

“As always, all the variants of the all-new Civic are equipped with dual SRS airbags for the driver and front passenger as well as anti-lock brake system with electronic brake force distribution,” Ong said.

He said test-drive units are now available at all 28 Honda dealerships nationwide (for more information, visit www.civic.com.ph), adding that the Jazz, City and CR-V are also available should they want to compare riding experience.