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| (Honda Motor Europe Limited (Headquarters: Berkshire, UK; President: Minoru
Harada), the European-based corporation of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. made the following announcement on 19th February 2001, local time.) |
Automobile February 19, 2001 |
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| Honda to Unveil the New Civic 3-door in Geneva |
Honda Motor Europe will introduce
its all-new Honda Civic 3-door model in a world debut at this year's Geneva
Motor Show (March 1-11), joining the 2-, 4- and 5-door body styles and completing
the new Civic range.
The 3-door is to be built exclusively at Honda's Swindon, UK, plant, commencing
in the summer of 2001.
Sporty styling, compact dimensions, generous interior space and a fine ride
and handling balance mean it will appeal to a wide range of customers, but
particularly to a younger audience. As well as 1.4- and 1.6-liter models,
the range is headed by a new 200 PS performance flagship, the Type-R.
Spacious packaging
Honda's seventh generation Civic range has demonstrated that reduced dimensions
overall do not necessarily equate to a corresponding reduction in cabin
space. The 3-door variant is no different in this respect. While it is shorter
overall by 45 mm with a wheelbase reduced by 50 mm-to the benefit of maneuverability-interior
dimensions are either similar to, or improve upon, those of its predecessor.
The 3-door shares the same 'short nose' design as its sister models, achieved
through clever packaging of the engine, compact front suspension and high-mounted
steering gearbox. At the rear, a more compact, reactive link double wishbone
suspension, plus a clever underfloor layout, result in a flat cabin floor
without a central tunnel.
With class-leading levels of impact performance, the 3-door is anticipated
to achieve a Euro-NCAP 4-star rating for both front and side collisions,
and high levels of pedestrian safety.
Styling
The design imparts a strong sense of solidity. The character line along
the side provides a strong, muscular appearance when viewed from the side.
This is complemented by the high-curvature rear end in which the tailgate
glass extends relatively far forward into the roofline to meet the standard
rear roof spoiler.
The Type-R has a more overt, sporty appeal, thanks to a range of spoilers
that enhance aerodynamics and a mesh-type front grille. A 15 mm lower ride
height further signals the high performance intent.
Interior/equipment
The spacious, airy cabin reflects the Civic's excellent packaging. In terms
of ambience, Honda has aimed for a sporty, high quality feel; excellent
visibility, sporty three-spoke steering wheel and highly supportive seats
are complemented by a high degree of practicality. With 10.5 liters of cabin
storage space in total, finding a place for small items won't be a problem.
A dash-mounted gear shift lever makes shifting safer and more convenient
as well as providing a sporty feel.
Load space has been increased by 84 liters, to 313 liters (VDA), with a
space saver spare tire fitted. Since extending the load area is potentially
awkward in 3 door cars, the operation has been made as simple as possible.
Push button catches, which can be reached either through the tailgate or
from the interior, release the 60:40 split seat back that folds straight
down onto the seat base to create a flat load floor. The rear hatch aperture
width is a highly practical 1245mm.
The Type-R's aggressively sporting image is reflected in large, racing car-influenced
seats which are firmer and provide even more support than those of the standard
model. Additional flourishes are provided by white instrument faces, a titanium-effect
gear knob, and an embroidered Type-R logo at the base of the headrest.
The Engines
Designed for greater torque and driving flexibility, the Civic 3 door's
90 PS (66 kW) 1.4 SOHC and 110 PS (81 kW) 1.6 SOHC VTEC gasoline engines
are highly efficient, aluminum alloy 16-valve units.
Compared to their predecessors, torque in the 1.4-liter rises from 126 Nm
at 4,600 rpm to 130 Nm at 4,300 rpm, while in the 1.6-liter, 143 Nm at 4,800
rpm is increased to 152 Nm at 4,300 rpm, resulting in substantially improved
fuel consumption. Both can be mated with either a 5-spee manual or 4-speed
Grade Logic automatic transmission.
The 2.0-liter engine of the Type-R is part of the new family of highly advanced
DOHC i-VTEC engines from Honda featuring Variable Timing Control (VTC) as
well as the highly renowned VTEC system. Its 200 PS (147 kW) at 7,400 rpm
and torque of 196 Nm at 6,500 rpm enables the Type-R to reach 62 mph in
just 6.8 seconds and go on to a top speed of 145 mph (233 km/h).
Complementing the engine is a new 6-speed close ratio manual gearbox with
carefully spaced ratios to ensure engine speed remains within the power
band throughout acceleration. An engine speed of 3,100 rpm at 100 km/h makes
for comfortable cruising and improved fuel economy.
Fine handling
The 3-door model shares the same suspension arrangement as the rest of the
Civic family, with toe control link MacPherson struts at the front and a
reactive link double wishbone design, which offers toe-in characteristics
under braking for greater safety, at the rear.
This arrangement-together with a better balance between front and rear roll
centers, a more linear steering response and excellent body rigidity-means
the Civic 3 door offers the driver an outstanding level of control and feel,
a supple ride, and a highly agile chassis.
Additional stiffening in the form of a strut across the rear of the engine
bay and a strut between the rear wheel arches gives the Type-R even greater
tautness and precision. These measures are matched by firmer dampers and
springs, and alloy wheels wearing 205/45 R17 tires. Also, larger front disc
brakes than the standard Civic 3-door, with a firmer pedal action, ensure
stopping ability to match the Type-R's high performance.
An electric power steering (EPS) system on all models provides a number
of benefits including enhanced economy, programming flexibility and smoother
operation.
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Geneve Motor Show Exhibition Model
CIVIC Type R
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CIVIC 3-Door 1.6L ES
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Information correct at
time of going to press
N.B: Specifications may vary
from one country to another.
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