Honda UK; 2009 Honda Civic Facelift

For all of you who got bored of the Honda Civic, it seems this is your lucky day! Honda unveiled today the facelifted 2009 Honda Civic but don’t get too emotional, this is only a minor facelift! As you can see the vehicle comes with a re-designed front grille and new rear headlights while at the interior it features a new texture for the plastic components.

Also a new 1.4-liter petrol engine is available capable to deliver 100 hp (an improvement considering the last generation had 83 hp) and 127 Nm of torque at 4800 rpm. All the facelifted Civics will come with a tire pressure warning system, due to the safety reasons.

Regarding the Type S variant, this will be optically close to the Type R version, featuring the same radiator grille and tail lamps as well as the painted front apron, wheel arches and the tail apron. Regarding the interior the Type S will feature sport seats with Alcantara leather as well as matt finish materials as seen on the Type R. More details when the new vehicle will be officially unveiled.

Source (more photo's too);
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/2009-honda-civic-facelift-unveiled/#more-395

Euro Honda Civic Review

This is for us north americans who are interested in what's abroad. This is a car that we will probably never see here and if we did, it would probably come here in the form of an entry level Acura. Honda did bring the UK Civic here in the form of the 2002 - 2004 Honda Civic SiR hatchback, which remains in my opinion to be a very underrated car!
An engaging driving dynamics, practical interior and head-turning looks, make the Civic our compact family car favourite.

Styling/image
The latest generation of Civic is a radical styling departure for the normally conservative Japanese company. With its full width front lamps, wedge profile and high-set tail, the Honda certainly stands out from the crowd. Both three and five door versions are available, although both feature similarly sporty looks thanks to the latter’s hidden rear door handles. Rapid Type-R range-topper gets neat bodykit and 18-inch alloy wheels. Only the dull looking IMA hybrid four-door saloon is a design let down

Interior practicality
The cabin of the Civic is as eye-catching as the exterior, with the highlight being the logically laid-out wraparound dashboard. A large boot and innovative folding rear bench make sure the interior is practical and stylish. Sadly, thick C-pillars and high waistline result in poor rear visibility. Entry-level SE models get air-con and electric windows, but little else. Pay a little extra for Sport trim and you’ll get Xenon headlamps and 17-inch alloys, while the ES adds cruise control, rain sensing wipers and auto lights. The range-topping EX features voice-recognition sat-nav and parking sensors.

Engine/performance
The Civic is available with three petrol engines – an underpowered 82bhp 1.4-litre, eager 138bhp 1.8-litre and feisty 198bhp 2.0-litre. However, it’s the punchy and refined 138bhp 2.2-litre i-CDTi diesel motor that’s our pick. Keen drivers will love the hot Type-R version. It’s fitted with the intoxicating 2.0-litre motor, which revs to over 8,000rpm and has a race car soundtrack. Eco-conscious buyers have the option of the petrol/electric hybrid IMA model.

Driving experience
Sharp steering and strong grip mean the Civic is as good to drive as it is to look at, although it can’t match the Ford Focus for driver involvement. Only a firm ride counts against the Japanese car. Plump for the Type-S and handling is improved further thanks to revised suspension settings, while the hardcore Type-R serves up even stiffer springs, a bone-jarring ride and huge amounts of fun.

Costs
It’s hard to beat the 2.2 i-CDTi Type-S when it comes to value for money. It’ll return 54mpg, emit just 138g/km of C02 and retain 42 per cent after three years. Only the hybrid IMA version betters that at 45 per cent. Even the 1.8-litre petrol fares well on running costs, managing an impressive 44.1mpg at the pumps and putting out a respectable 152g/km of CO2.

Safety/environment
The Toyota Prius rivaling Civic IMA hybrid is the greenest version in the line-up. By combining a 1.4-litre petrol engine and an electric motor it delivers 113bhp and a CO2 emissions of 109g/km. However, the diesel is a more practical choice, offers more performance and still has CO2 emissions of only 135g/km. With a four-star EuroNCAP rating, the Honda lags behind the competition for safety, although electronic stability control is standard across the range.

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/newreviews/229377/honda_civic.html

2010 Honda Civic Hatchback for UK Rendering

Bold Honda takes cues from ExCeL star and there's a Hybrid model and Type R on the way, too

The new Honda Civic is here – and yet again it’s set to break the mould in the family hatchback sector! These exclusive shots show how the next car will look when it hits the showroom in 2010, and as you can see, the Japanese maker has opted for a shape that is even bolder and more individual than the current model.

With Vauxhall set to launch a stylish new Astra, and the next, sleek Ford Focus due in 2010, competition is fierce – but Honda has pulled out the stops to create a real stunner. As revealed in Issue 1,023, the OSM concept seen at the British Motor Show was more than simply an ‘Open Study Model’ – as the face of the new Civic is almost identical.

There are hints of VW’s IROC concept, which was toned down to become the Scirocco, in the gaping front grille. The new hatchback adds elements carried over from the current Civic, too, most notably the trademark single strip light cluster at the rear. But Honda fans will note that the split rear screen has been dropped to improve visibility. Shallow glass areas, broad shoulders and a nose-down stance give this three-door model a sporty and purposeful look.

The hatchback ‘coupé’ pictured here will be aimed at younger buyers, who want style and image more than outright practicality. So, as well as big alloys and a contrasting black bodykit, the three-door gets lowered suspension and a dark interior with deeply sculpted seats.

The three-door will be distinct from the five, as Honda adopts an approach similar to the Renault Mégane by pitching the two cars at different buyers. So, the five-door will be more for the family, with a taller roofline offering plenty of space, a bigger boot, plus a softer ride and handling balance.

Here's the rest of the article;

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/226578/new_civic_revealed.html