Honda brings to the Philippines the ninth- generation model of one of the planet’s most famous nameplates

THINK “Honda”—no, think “compact car benchmark”—and the Honda Civic invariably springs to mind. Last week, the all-new, ninth- generation model of the carmaker’s most globally recognized brand arrived in the Philippines packed with the usual advanced technologies that have defined each new rendition of the nameplate ever since it debuted in 1973.

What significance the latest Civic’s arrival also holds, according to Honda Cars Phils. Inc. (HCPI), is that it “further strengthens Honda’s return to the Philippine automotive market” as the model joins the updated Honda City that the company introduced in January. HCPI last year was severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, which disrupted parts supply, as well as by the flooding in Thailand that shuttered Honda’s manufacturing facilities there.

At the Civic’s launch, HCPI President and General Manager Tatsuya Natsume said that the company has started importing some models from Japan while Honda’s factory in Thailand is in the process of restoring its manufacturing capability.

“Among these models is the all-new Civic,” Natsume said.

Fun, eco tech
In its latest form, the Civic flaunts the concept of a “futuristic and distinctive compact,” Honda said, explaining that this means a “direction towards new values that reach ahead of present-day needs and elevates the experience that the Civic represents.” In more concrete terms, the carmaker said the new car received major improvements in refinement and fuel economy, additional interactive technologies, and enhancements to performance, ride and interior packaging.

HCPI also stressed the new Civic’s leanings towards a fun-to-drive attitude, and ensuring this are the car’s more rigid body, lighter weight, revised suspension settings and even increased insulation when compared to the model it replaces. The latest car is suspended by MacPherson struts in front and a multilink setup in the rear with stabilizer bars on both ends. It also gets a motion-adaptive electric power steering assist that Honda said improves turning response at low speeds while returning enough feedback at higher speeds. What benefit this system offers as well, according to Honda, is that there is no parasitic power loss to the engine, unlike in traditional hydraulically boosted steering assist systems—benefiting power output and fuel economy.

Speaking of which, Honda has fitted the new Civic with its Eco Assist technology that’s found in the carmaker’s hybrid models, essentially a system that controls the engine, drive-by-wire throttle, transmission and air-conditioner to reduce the car’s fuel use. An Eco “coaching ambient meter” guides the driver to become more fuel-efficient by measuring throttle input and displaying a blue light in the instrument panel during aggressive driving or a green light in miserly driving.

Even the latest Civic’s body helps in fuel matters, Honda said, thanks to wind-slippery styling that’s an evolution of the “one-motion” shape that graced the previous model.

Under the the car’s aero hood is a 1.8-liter engine that has been fitted with Honda’s i-VTEC variable valve timing system, and which makes 139 horsepower at 6,500rpm and 174 Newton-meters of torque at 4,300rpm. Putting the engine’s output to a front wheel is a five-speed automatic transmission. Disc brakes all around grab 16-inch alloy wheels that are wrapped in 205/55 tires.

Meanwhile, the Civic’s cabin boasts Honda’s first five-inch color LCD intelligent multi-information display. Called i-MID by the carmaker, the system has a smart interface, steering wheel-mounted controls, audio and fuel consumption information monitor, and is even customizable to individual preferences. The car’s light settings can be tweaked here, and the device can also upload personal wallpaper backgrounds.

Initially available locally is the P1.074-million Civic 1.8 EXI variant that’s offered in four paintjob options: Urban Titanium Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Taffeta White and Carnelian Red Pearl. HCPI said that once Honda’s Thailand factory resumes operations, it will bring in other Civic variants.

Along with the Civic launch, HCPI also introduced the automatic transmission-equipped Jazz 1.5 EX Special Edition—imported from Japan as well—that sells for 899,000.