The modern automobile story of better fuel economy with sparkling performance just keeps being told. Now Honda adds a new chapter to the tale with the Civic Hatch DTi-S diesel.
Born of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology philosophy ‘to balance environmental efficiency with the dynamic performance expected of a Honda’, the made-in-Britain, 1.6-litre engine produces 88kW of power and up to 300Nm of torque.
Mated only with a six-speed manual transmission, Honda calculates the Civic diesel uses a miserly four litres of fuel per 100 kilometres on the combined urban/highway cycle.
On an introductory foray into the Blue Mountains the Civic diesel came up with a relaxed drive, eating up the steep ascents with ease.
Disc brakes all around, the front ventilated, hooked up to an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, pulled up the Civic confidently on steep descents.
All this was accomplished with a minimum intrusion of engine and road noise into the comfortable cabin.
The Civic diesel hatch is not lacking in quality additions and adornments, taking on a majority of the features of the petrol model, plus technical innovations from its hybrid stablemates.
Like the standard Civic hatchback the DTi-S shape is predicated on optimal aerodynamics.
A spoiler is integrated into the tailgate, while daytime running lights increase visibility to oncoming traffic.
The underbody changes still leave room in the cabin for Honda’s clever Magic Seat system which allows for 18 different configurations to carry passengers and cargo.
Honda believes drivers operate best in quiet surroundings and engineers have come up with active noise cancellation which works on low frequency drive train and road noise entering the cabin. For added efficiency there is also the Econ mode.
Available in one extensive specification level, albeit without sat nav, Civic DTi-S is on sale for $26,990, plus on-road costs.
Test drive at Westside Honda, 2-6 Heaths Road, Hoppers Crossing, 9974 5555.
