What's the news?
Honda's long anticipated 1.6 i-DTEC diesel Civic will go on sale in January priced from £19,400. Set to appeal to the corporate market as much as the private one the new engine offers high fuel economy, low emissions and exciting performance - or so Honda says.
Exterior
Externally the 1.6-litre engine car will look identical to its 2.2-litre brethren save for the exception of new 16-inch alloy wheels.
Interior
The new diesel Civic variant will be available in three trim levels: SE (£19,400), ES (£20,595) and top-of-the-range EX, which starts at £23,175. The specifications will be identical to the equivalent 2.2-litre i-DTEC cars, bar for the EX model that gains front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and DAB digital radio as standard.
Mechanicals
The big news is of course not the exterior or interior treatment; it is the new 120hp 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine. Capable of 78.5mpg and emitting juts 94g/km the new engine also promises to be fairly lively with torque of 300Nm and peak power not kicking in until (a very un-diesel like) 4,000rpm. Designed specifically for the European market the new engine will be built at Honda's factory in Swindon.
Anything else?
In addition to the Civic the new 1.6 i-DTEC will also find its way into the recently launched Honda CR-V SUV.
Paul Healy - 5 Nov 2012