Universal Model? Don't You Believe It

Sun Herald

Sunday August 14, 2005

Bob Jennings

Honda is fighting back in the styling stakes with its racy new Civic model. But, asks Bob Jennings, is what you see what we'll get?

HONDA created a stir at this year's Geneva motor show when it not only displayed an eye-catching Civic concept but also made it clear that the production model wouldn't be a great deal different.

And although a production version has just been launched in Europe, there's a catch: the company is adamant that one of the two versions is a model intended for the European market only.

In the mysterious way of the company, there will be different versions of the same model to be made and sold in different parts of the world.

We have only to look at the differences between the present Accord and the Accord Euro to find an example.

Honda sources say there will be three-door and five-door models in Europe, and the five-door will be sold there exclusively.

The five-door model for Australia which has the same styling as the Japanese model is likely to bear a close resemblance to the European model, but there's no word from Honda on whether the three-door version will be the same on all markets. The Japanese model is likely to be unveiled at the Tokyo motor show in October.

The European-built model will go on sale in January, and the Japanese-Australian version will go into production about the same time, with Australian versions on the production schedule for the first half of next year.

There's every reason to expect the car will be shown at the Melbourne motor show in March.

Both the European model and the Japanese-Australian model will be built in three-door and five-door forms and there will be an emphasis on high technology and performance.

World-class active and passive safety will be incorporated in the design, and Honda says the new engines will offer good economy and low emissions.

The European models will have a choice of 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol engines and a 2.2-litre diesel, and there will be a six-speed manual transmission as well as a six-speed gearbox with automated clutch.

The design team of the European model was led by Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, which was responsible for Honda's stylish Jazz small car.

In the European car, Honda says a highlight of the interior is the "dual zone" cockpit, in which all the important controls and instruments are located within an inner zone that is surrounded by a secondary zone housing radio, heating and ventilation controls and trip information.

Surprisingly, the new European Civic is 35 millimetres shorter and lower than the current model, but 65 millimetres wider. It is said to be as roomy as the present model.

Honda is boldly saying the new cars are expected to achieve a Euro NCAP five-star rating for front and side impact safety, three stars for pedestrian safety and four stars for child protection safety. Standard equipment will include climate control air-conditioning, electronic stability control, a trip computer and front, side and curtain air bags.

The Civic is sold in about 160 countries and produced in 11 and the new versions will be the eighth generation of the model.

© 2005 Sun Herald

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