Driving ambition
Newly launched onto the South African market a few short
weeks ago was Honda’s new range of five-door Civics. Boasting revised 2.2i-DTEC
motors among the range, Yoshiaki Nakamura, managing director of Honda Motor
Southern Africa reckons: “The new Civic five-door builds on the core strengths
of its predecessor, and takes them to an appreciably higher level.”
Gorgeous to look at and even better to own, poor old Honda
has been the hardest hit Japanese car manufacturer to survive the terrible
earthquake/Tsunami that hit Japan about a year ago.
This latest model that features dramatically new
pyramid-come-jet fighter styling has been a hard act to follow, but the Honda
plant in Swindon in the UK is now back in full swing assembling the new Civic
range from parts sourced from Japan.
But it’s the brilliant turbodiesel motor that’s the cherry
on the top for me, exceptional fuel economy and sterling performance are
hallmarks of the two-litre i-DTEC turbodiesel engine, which is mated to a
six-speed manual gearbox. It develops 110kW at 4 000rpm and a whoppingl
350Nm at 2 000rpm. Power and economy for everyone!
The range-topping model in the new Civic line-up, the 2.2
i-DTEC Exclusive sets the bar for luxury. It incorporates a panoramic glass
sunroof, a premium sound system with amplifier and subwoofer, Bluetooth
hands-free cellphone connectivity (with dedicated buttons on the steering
wheel), as well as HID headlights with auto-levelling sensor and integrated washers.
The split-level dashboard is now even easier to understand
with more conventional switches and dials. The Panasonic high-resolution centre
screen that resembles a ‘tablet’ computer is the best out there. Passenger
legroom throughout is simply superb – even for six-footers who might be sitting
in the back.
Model range and pricing:
1.8 i-VTEC Elegance, manual, R248 000.
1.8 i-VTEC Elegance, automatic, R261 000.
1.8 i-VTEC Executive, manual, R270 000.
1.8 i-VTEC Executive, automatic, R283 000.
2.2 i-DTEC Exclusive, manual, R343 800.
• Prices include a five-year/90 000km service plan, and three-year/100 000km
warranty. Service intervals are recommended every 15 000km.
