Honda Australia will start selling the updated Honda Civic from June 1st 2009. Updates will include a new petrol engine, updated automatic gearbox and a new Type R Special Edition with limited slip differential.
No radical changes in design
Among the changes included in the new Honda Civic's is a boxier grille, we can see a new third brake light on the rear; and the three-door Civic has been endowed with a more aggressive looking bumpers, in order to look a little closer to the Type-R. Inside, there are some dark metallic inserts and a new instrument panel with a fuel consumption rate indicator.
New equipment incorporated into the Honda Civic include Bluetooth, parking assistance, connection for iPod plus an auxiliary audio port and USB support and a DVD navigation system.
Type R - Special Edition
The Special Edition, Civic Type R, which is distinguished by a special white colour reminiscent of Honda's first F1 car from 1963, 18"alloy wheels and Limited Slip Differential which gives the ability to corner better. On the Japanese Tsukuba circuit the car was 1.44 seconds faster per lap than the standard version.
Few changes in engine
There is the introduction of a new petrol engine, 1.4 i-VTEC 100 hp and 127 Nm of torque, replacing the 1.4 i-DSI 88 hp and 119 Nm of torque engine, which was less efficient consuming on average 5.9 l/100 km and emitting 135g/km of CO2. It still maintains the 1.8 i-VTEC 140 hp, the powerful 201 hp 2.0 and 2.2 i-CTDi turbo diesel with 140 hp engines.
New automatic
All engines will be fited with a new six-speed gearbox that, except for the Type-R version. Furthermore the new 1.8 i-VTEC is equipped with the new i-SHIFT automatic system, enabling a faster gearshift.
