Honda will supply only one grade and one physique type of its next-generation Civic mannequin when the five-door VTi-LX hatch goes on sale from December 6.
Honda Australia says the single-spec providing is a transfer to push the mannequin upmarket because the enterprise “repositions” itself to deal with non-public small automotive patrons. It’s a part of a broader resolution that may see the Japanese model promote simply “20,000 autos” yearly any further.
The eleventh-generation Civic is powered by an up to date model of the acquainted 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO four-cylinder petrol engine. The brand new vary not incorporates the 1.8-litre usually aspirated four-pot, which beforehand powered the entry-grade VTi-S. The road-up will likely be additional bolstered subsequent 12 months when the e:HEV hybrid and sporty Kind R arrive.
Chatting with GoAuto this week, Honda Australia director Stephen Collins stated the model would goal patrons of “European-type hatches” on the again of an growing proportion of SUV mannequin gross sales. The annual gross sales goal for the brand new high-grade Civic is 900 models.
“We actually have fairly an onslaught of recent product arriving over the following 18 months – and the Civic petrol mannequin is the primary. It’s a automotive that has an unlimited historical past globally and, in Australia, it has been on sale for practically 50 years,” Mr Collins stated.
“All through that interval, it has performed completely different roles for us… and this car will play a special position once more. We’re repositioning the Civic in Australia. On events, it has been our quantity mannequin and, different instances, it has been extra area of interest and extra premium. This time it is rather a lot a premium step up… an actual step up by way of the category of the hatch.
“As such, it received’t be a big-volume car for us. Over the following 12 months, we anticipate to (promote) about 900 models. It will likely be a extra premium car, positioned on the prime of the hatch market and, though it is going to be a decrease quantity (automotive) for us, it’s nonetheless an essential mannequin,” he added.
Mr Collins stated the technique behind Civic fitted Honda’s new company ethos of a “right-size enterprise” that may “promote a sustainable variety of autos to help (its) profitability”.
He stated the model would proceed to deal with a premium specification and high-series grades because it moved ahead; the streamlined product line-up would successfully “create house for all-new merchandise now on the horizon”.
“We’ll be launching the Civic with the ‘one value promise’ – it is going to be priced $47,200 drive-away nationally. We expect that’s very reflective of the extent of apparatus and premiumness of the car… and we predict the package deal actually speaks for itself,” Mr Collins continued.
“In all probability round 90 per cent of our enterprise will likely be SUVs (in future). SUV development available in the market continues to be wonderful and our line-up over the following few years will mirror that.”
When requested if Honda Australia thought of ditching the Civic altogether, Mr Collins was determined, saying the nameplate was “synonymous” with the model and would proceed to have a presence within the native marketplace for the foreseeable future.
“I believe the first purpose is that it’s simply such part of us – we’ve to carry it to market,” Mr Collins enthused.
“We’ve got a 50-year historical past with Civic and I believe for those who ask the common particular person on the street about Honda fashions, I believe the Civic could be the highest two or three (they recall), even if we promote much more CR-Vs and HR-Vs. It’s synonymous with our model.”
The Civic, HR-V and CR-V will likely be joined by one other SUV within the subsequent 12 months. The Accord – which will likely be refreshed earlier than the tip of 2022 – will stay in Honda Australia’s line-up.
The Odyssey will, nonetheless, be retired globally as Honda closes its people-mover manufacturing facility to deal with the manufacture of SUVs.
“The eleventh-generation Civic represents a step-change for Honda within the small-car phase, with the all-new mannequin elevating key aspirational components of the Honda model equivalent to craftsmanship, premium high quality and intuitive design,” Mr Collins continued.
“On the eve of its fiftieth anniversary, Honda designers and engineers have taken the Civic to a complete new stage, producing a automotive that’s extra superior, extra refined, and extra premium than ever earlier than.
“For Australia, the all-new Civic has been specified to enchantment to a brand new goal buyer, one which aligns with the transfer to a extra premium positioning for the Civic nameplate and the Honda model general,” he added.
Output figures of the VTEC TURBO engine in Civic are rated at 131kW (+4kW) and 240Nm (+20Nm), the determine rising to 134kW on premium unleaded gasoline. The entrance wheels are pushed by way of a constantly variable transmission, which Honda “redeveloped and improved” for 2022.
Honda says the Civic VTi-LX will speed up from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds and the mannequin’s common gasoline financial system determine is listed at 6.3 litres per 100km (ADR Mixed).
The brand new mannequin locations an emphasis on innovation, design management and excellent driving dynamics, Honda says. Its clear trendy design is paired with a high-tech, human-centred inside outfitted with the most recent superior energetic and passive security methods.
Honda will supply its newest Honda Sensing security applied sciences on the Civic VTi-LX hatch, together with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver and front-seat passenger knee airbags, visitors jam help, driver consideration monitor, in addition to a pop-up security bonnet.
The Japanese-built mannequin rides on 18-inch alloy wheels (with a puncture restore equipment) and will likely be out there in 4 paint colors: Crystal Crimson, Crystal Blue, Crystal Black and Platinum White.
Honda says it has centered on outward visibility as a part of a push to create a “panoramic exterior view”. The newcomer’s A-pillars have been moved backward, the bonnet lowered and the dashboard flattened to enhance the view ahead. The door-mounted wing mirrors, in flip, serve to enhance sightlines between the entrance pillar and the mirror.
Cabin quantity is elevated by 34 litres to a complete of 2803 litres. Regardless of its rakish roofline, the Civic is alleged to nonetheless supply “ample head, leg, shoulder, and hip room for all passengers.”
The mannequin is 12mm wider in its rear observe and has a 35-mm longer wheelbase than the outgoing mannequin; the suspension contains a strut front- and multi-link rear association. Braking is all disc (282mm entrance/260mm rear) and the steering electrically assisted.
The brand new Civic suggestions the size at 1369kg.
In the meantime, the entrance seats are trimmed in black perforated suede (with purple accents) and are each heated and electrically adjustable, whereas the 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment array helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay and (wired) Android Auto connectivity. A BOSE 12-speaker premium audio system, Qi wi-fi gadget charging pad, satellite tv for pc navigation (with over-the-air updates) and LED ambient courtesy lighting are additionally fitted.
The prolonged rear overhang and decreased hinge intrusion sees the Honda’s claimed baggage capability develop to 404 litres. A decrease lift-over peak and 60:40 split-fold rear seats be part of a further under-floor tray (45 litres) to additional lengthen the Civic’s cargo-carrying capacity.
Australian gross sales of the Civic path these of most of its sub-$40,000 small automotive opponents; on the time of writing, had Honda recorded year-to-date unit gross sales of simply 2749.
Its sixth place standing sees the current-gen Civic place behind the Toyota Corolla (25,393), Hyundai i30 (21,080), Kia Cerato (16,183), Mazda 3 (12,566) and Subaru Impreza (3273), however forward of the Volkswagen Golf (1527), Skoda Scala (855) and Ford Focus (662).
2022 Honda Civic hatch pricing*:
VTi-S (a) Discontinued
VTi-L (a) Discontinued
VTi-LX (a) $47,200* (+$10,600)
RS (a) Discontinued
*Nationwide drive-away value.
