The ninth generation Honda Civic was launched in the North American market in April 2011 and Europe in February 2012.
Contents
North American market
In May 2010, the ninth-generation Civic was said to be delayed into 2011, because of changing market conditions and tougher fuel economy and emissions regulations.
The Civic was originally planned to become bigger, but after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the global credit crisis in 2008, Honda wanted to make the car smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient, while increasing space inside.
On December 13, 2010, Honda unveiled a sketch of the new ninth-generation Civic which was described as "energetic, sleek and aerodynamic." Both coupe and sedan concepts for the North American market were shown on January 10, 2011 at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. The production version of the ninth-generation Civic based on the revealed concepts will go on sale in spring 2011. Gasoline, hybrid and natural gas variants will be offered. The gasoline-engined lineup includes a sedan and coupe. Both of them will be also offered in Si performance versions.
The new model is slightly smaller and lighter than the outgoing models. The sheet metal is all new, with a longer hood but still a familiar profile: Honda calls it the "one-motion" design.
Honda's Eco Assist technology is added to most models (except Si), and becomes the first gasoline-only powered Honda to employ such technology in North America. It is an information system to help the driver adopt a more fuel-efficient driving style and is proven to improve fuel economy by about 10% for Honda's hybrid vehicles in Japan by providing visual feedback to promote or confirm efficient driving. The Eco Assist can also alter the transmission's shift pattern in the hybrid model. A new Motion Adaptive electric power steering system helps to mitigate oversteer or understeer in conjunction with the standard Vehicle Stability Assist.
Gasoline (DX, LX, EX, and EX-L), hybrid and natural gas variants are offered. The non-hybrid gasoline-engined lineup includes sedan and coupe, and Si performance versions are available as coupe and sedan. Honda has also released the Civic HF sedan, a model with aerodynamic and fuel efficiency enhancements which revives the "HF" moniker last used for the 1991 CRX HF. It features a Honda R18 1.8 Liter Inline Four-Cylinder engine and a 5-Speed Automatic transmission like the regular gas-powered models, but it has been tuned so that it returns 41 highway miles per gallon (MPG). It comes with fifteen-inch alloy wheels with low rolling-resistance tires that reduce rolling resistance by 20%, additional underbody covers, a rear decklid spoiler and keyless entry with a security alarm. The above result in a 4% improvement in aerodynamic performance. It comes in two colors, Polished Metal Metallic or Taffeta White Clear Coat with a Gray interior. The Civic GX NGV (Natural Gas Vehicle) is available from late 2011.
All models (except for the base model DX), come with the Intelligent Multi Informational Display (iMiD) that integrates information of the vehicle and compatible personal electronics devices with a 5-inch color display and steering wheel controls. It can display information such as current odometer mileage, current trip mileage, current time and date, current fuel economy readout, audio information (radio station, CD track info, radio data system info, climate info, and more, and will also allow you to upload two photos to the internal storage unit that can be displayed when the audio system is powered off.
All Civic models have better fuel economy in U.S. EPA ratings, by as much as 8% on the highway for models with an automatic transmission compared to 2011 versions. Two versions attains fuel mileage of 41 mpg-US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg-imp) (17.54 km/L) or above in U.S. government testing.Aerodynamics and weight reduction play important role in fuel economy improvement: aero parts are placed under the engine bay, fuel tank, and the rear underbody to enhance airflow; front spoiler and strakes ahead of tires direct airflow around the wheel wells; there is a new flat underfloor; resulting in 3.4% lower coefficient of drag. Increase use of high-strength steel to 55% on the sedan (56% for the coupe) from 50% contributes to a 7% reduction in body weight. The electric power steering system is lighter by 1.3 kg (2.9 lb); the front subframe is lighter by 1.7 kg (3.7 lb); a thinner-walled fuel tank saves 1.0 kg (2.2 lb) and a laser-welded exhaust silencer that is 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) lighter. As a result, the LX trim with an automatic transmission is almost 50 lb (23 kg) lighter. On the other hand, for the 2012 sedan, passenger volume is increased by 3.8 ft³ (108 L) to 94.7 ft³ (2682 L), with three more inches of elbowroom in the front and about two more inches of legroom in the back.
The piston assembly was the source of the most significant losses in an engine. To reduce friction loss in the engine, pistons in the 1.8 litre engine have a molybdenum treatment applied in a polka-dot pattern.
A HF model, the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only powered Civic in the lineup, gets 41 mpg-US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg-imp) (17.54 km/L) under EPA highway test cycle, compares with 36 mpg-US (6.5 L/100 km; 43 mpg-imp) (15.38 km/L) for previous generation, increasing the combined fuel economy rating to 33 mpg-US (7.1 L/100 km; 40 mpg-imp) (14.08 km/L).
The Civic hybrid, with a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine that produces 90 horsepower and 97 pound-feet of torque and a lithium-ion battery, is rated at 44 mpg-US (5.3 L/100 km; 53 mpg-imp) in combined city and highway EPA test cycle, an improvement of 3 mpg-US(3.6 mpg-imp) over the previous generation hybrid. A new stronger electric motor produces 23 horsepower and 78 pound-feet of torque. The new lithium-ion battery is lighter and more powerful compared with the nickel-metal hydride one in previous model. Both the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models have improved aerodynamics.
Other gasoline-only powered Civic sedans and coupes get 39 mpg-US (6.0 L/100 km; 47 mpg-imp) in highway tests, an improvement of 3 mpg-US (78 L/100 km; 3.6 mpg-imp) over previous generation, and 28 mpg-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg-imp) for city driving. The Civic GX natural gas model will have a 7% improvement in fuel economy. The above models are also equipped with the Honda ECO Assist technology.
The Civic Si sedan and coupe models have a larger, more powerful 2.4-liter inline-four engine with 201 hp (149 kW) and 170 lb-ft (230 N·m) of torque, as well as a new 6-speed manual transmission. The Civic Si achieves an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 31 mpg-US (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg-imp), an increase of 2 mpg-US (2.4 mpg-imp).
Vehicle color selections:
- Alabaster Silver Metallic
- Cool Mist Metallic
- Crimson Pearl
- Crystal Black Pearl
- Dyno Blue Pearl
- Green Opal Metallic (hybrid)
- Polished Metal Metallic
- Rallye Red
- Sunburst Orange Pearl
- Taffeta White
- Urban Titanium Metallic
In 2012, Honda recalled 50,000 2012 Civics because the process required during assembly to seat the driver's side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed.
2013 model year update
Reviews of the 2012 Civic have been generally lackluster, with many reviewers citing the car's cheap interior materials, along with worsened driving dynamics and insubstantial exterior styling changes from the previous generation, as drawbacks. Consumer Reports went so far as to remove the 2012 Civic from its 'Recommended' list of compact cars, which the vehicle had been on for many years.In response, Honda introduced a heavily revamped Civic for the 2013 model year. The refreshed Civic sedan features a new front fascia with a U-shaped honeycomb grille and chrome accents (replacing the 2012 model's three-bar grille), a redesigned hood, and a reworked rear end with new taillight designs, along with additional light clusters and a chrome bar on the trunk lid. New standard features include a rear backup camera, Bluetooth controls, and Pandora Radio access. Ride quality, handling, and interior material quality are also improved. The coupe retains the 2012 model's exterior styling, but receives the same interior and engineering upgrades as the sedan.
Honda CEO Takanobu Ito explained that the 2012 model was developed during the height of the global financial crisis, which led the company to believe that consumers would be willing to forego upscale content and quality in new vehicles so long as they were fuel efficient and affordable. Ironically, rival automakers such as Ford and Hyundai increased the quality and feature content of their compact vehicles around the same time, pushing sales of Civic rivals such as the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra to new heights in the United States.
Safety
| Moderate overlap frontal offset | Good[24][25] |
| Small overlap frontal offset* | Good (2013-present models)[26] |
| Side impact | Good[27][28] |
| Roof strength | Good |
| Moderate overlap frontal offset | Good (2013-present models) |
| Small overlap frontal offset* | Good (2013-present models) |
| Side impact | Good (2013-present models) |
| Roof strength | Good (2013-present models) |
- * first vehicle in the small car category rated "Good" in the IIHS small overlap crash test
To improve safety Honda uses an updated ACE II body structure on 2013 Civics.
Euro-spec 5-door hatchback (2011-)
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The five door hatchback Civic for European market was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011. Strong identity of the previous generation European Civic led Honda to refine the current package instead of radical changes. Basic look and proportions of previous car are retained as the futuristic design was welcomed by customers. Aerodynamics, rear and side visibility are all improved. It is claimed to be the most aerodynamic car in its class, with a coefficient of 0.27. The wheelbase is 30mm shorter without a decrease of interior space. Retaining the compact torsion beam rear suspension and the centrally mounted fuel tank help contribute to a boot capacity of 470 litres. More than 20,000 miles of testing was carried out on British roads for better handling and ride quality. The rear beam axle is completely redesigned for higher stiffness, and new fluid-filled bushing is used to improve stability and cornering ability, as well as ride quality. There are more standard equipment and higher interior quality.
UK models went on sale in 2011-10-01. Early models include a choice of 1.4-litre petrol, 1.8-litre petrol, 2.2 i-DTEC Diesel engines, with 1.6-litre Diesel engine available later in 2012.
Civic Tourer Concept (2013)
It is a concept vehicle for the upcoming Civic Tourer.
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
2013 Honda Civic WTCC (2013-)
It is a race car version of Honda Civic 3-door hatchback for the FIA Super 2000 category of 2013 FIA World Touring Car Championship. It included a 1.6-litre inline-4 direct injection turbocharged engine with intercooler, dry oil sump.
Honda Racing Team JAS and Zengő Motorsport entered the 2013 WTCC tournament.
Motorsport
WTCC
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Honda announced to enter the 2012 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) with a racer built on the 2012 Euro Civic 5 door hatchback. The car is powered by HR412E - a bespoke, new 1.6-liter direct injection turbocharged engine developed by Honda’s R&D centre inTochigi, Japan, and will race from October in Japan, China and Macau before a two car team join the 2013 championship race. The engine aims for higher efficiency and is said to herald "a new generation of high performance racing engines from Honda" and innovations during the engine's development will "further increase the efficiency of [Honda's] road car engines".
Tiago Monteiro will race in the final three races of the 2012 season at Suzuka, Shanghai and Macau. A second race car will be driven by Gabriele Tarquini for 2013 season onward.
BTCC
Honda entered the 2012 British Touring Car Championship with two NGTC compliant European Civic hatchbacks with Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden as drivers. It was the first time for a manufacturer supported team to commit to the newly introduced rule.]Work on the first car started in July 2011 and testing on the track began in February 2012. Shedden won the 2012 champion title.
American Touring Car Racing
Using the latest Honda Civics, Compass 360 racing has continued to be successful in theSCCA World Challenge and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.
Production
As Honda's Research and Development Centre at Tochigi, Japan was damaged in the March 2011 earthquake, designers of the European Civic were transferred to the Swindon plant in the UK, where all European Civic hatchbacks are built, to ensure the development is not delayed. Production at Swindon, UK, was disrupted by supply chain disruption caused by the 2011 Japanese tsunami and flooding in Thailand. Normal production of Civic did not start until December 2011, delaying the new Civic to be only available on market from February 2012.
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