Honda unveils 2016 Civic small car with sporty design
Honda Motor Co. has unveiled the new 2016 Civic small car on Wednesday as part of its effort to revive the sedan model amid the rising popularity of sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
The 2016 Honda Civic will be launched worldwide, despite many consumers ignoring sedan-type cars in favor of SUVs. The 10th-generation of the model will boast of a sportier exterior and highly improved interior, according to Reuters.
The all-new Honda Civic will also offer automatic emergency braking, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity as part of the standard features or as added components, the report details.
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Honda's Detroit-based sales arm executive vice president John Mendel said during the unveiling event in Los Angeles that the 10th-generation Civic is capable of traveling over 64 kilometers per gallon (kmpg) in highway driving. This is an improvement to last year's model that can travel 47 kmpg in city driving and 61 kmpg in highway driving.
The new Civic has two all-new engines — a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with i-VTEC variable valve timing system. Although the company has still remained largely mum on engine specifications, it claims that the engine fitted to the 2016 Honda Civic is the most powerful ever paired with the model, Digital Trends reports.
The 2.0-liter engine will be fitted to the six-speed manual or CTV automatic transmissions, while the 1.5-liter turbo engine will only be for automatic transmission.
Honda will release the 2016 Honda Civic sedan in the United States this fall. The carmaker will also release coupe and five-door hatchback body versions of the car. It will also follow up with sporty Si and Type-R models, the report adds.
While the 2015 model carries a price tag of around $18,490, the 2016 Honda Civic's cost is yet to be announced.
The Civic is Honda's best-selling car globally, with over 800,000 units being sold every year. However, the last model was criticized for its rather unsightly design and "mediocre" driving performance. In contrast, the 2016 Honda Civic will have a more refined interior with modern audio systems and an exterior that quite resembles a sports car and a competitive engine.
