There is a new fuel efficient model joining the European markets. The all new Honda Civic hatchback is equipped with the Japanese brand’s recently revealed 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine. This engine features Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology. It has been developed exclusively for Europe and built alongside the Civic hatch itself at Honda’s factory in Swindon. Honda has also announced the pricing for the 1.6 i-DTEC Civic. It starts from £19,400 (Rs. 16.71 lakhs) for the base SE model, rising to £20,595 (Rs. 17.74 lakhs) for the ES and £23,175 (Rs. 19.97 lakhs) for the top-of-the-range EX.
Read The 2012 Honda Civic Review
The newcomer to the engine range is a much welcomed economical edition. The Honda Civic diesel will have a power output of 120 PS at 4000 RPM and torque output of 300 Nm at 2000 RPM at its disposal. On the combined cycle, the Civic equipped with the six-speed manual gearbox and the 1.6 diesel engine will return 78.5 mpg UK (27.78 km/l) and emit only 94 g/km, which makes it emissions tax exempt in the UK. The same powertrain will be offered in 2013 on the European CR-V as well. Standard features on all trim variants of the 1.6 i-DTEC model are identical to the equivalent 2.2-litre i-DTEC cars, but with the addition of new 16-inch alloy wheels.
While Honda is betting big on its new range of diesel engines for the European market, the automaker doesn’t plan to bring any diesel engine in the Civic, Accord or CR-V in India. The 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine is said to be too advanced for Indian fuel conditions and is not being brought to the petrol dominated U.S market either. Honda will instead focus its attention on smaller diesel engines, which it is developing for the Brio, Jazz and City models.
