Honda, stung hard by falling sales in Europe (eben as it expands healthily in the US and other global markets) is giving the Civic hatchback a mid-life facelift and update in an effort to reverse its retail decline. That's a decline so sharp that models such as the hybrid Insight and CR-Z coupe have already been dropped from Honda's lineup, and the slow-selling Accord is likely to be next.
Honda will give the revised Civic a full public airing at the Paris Motor Show next week, and will try to boost both the Civic's image - and its own corporate image - by showing a second concept version of the forthcoming Type-R hot hatch.
Oddly, this is not, officially at any rate, the full production version of the Type-R but rather an update to the previously seen concept. Honda still ins’t verifying the car’s power output, merely continuing to say that it will be “in excess of 280hp” but it has revealed that the Type-R will have a +R button that tweaks the traction control, engine throttle map, suspension and steering into their most aggressive modes.
Suehiro Hasshi, Large Project Leader for the Civic Type R at Honda R&D, said that “In default standard mode, the Civic Type R is exceptionally agile, an everyday sports car with an enjoyable and fluid acceleration. The ‘+R’ button brings out a more dynamic and athletic car for the driver, to set pulses racing. The difference in character is immense. The ‘+R’ mode is extreme; the car is ideal for track use and will be appreciated by the genuine sports-driving enthusiast.” Honda says it has also specifically altered the front suspension to reduce torque-steer and that the new adaptive damper system has been specially created for the Type-R.
At a more mundane, but more financially significant, level the regular Civic gets a new nose, which is rather more pronounced and protuberant than preivously, and which incorporates new headlights with a ghostly LED daytime running light signature. To help filter the Type-R's appeal further down the range, a new Sport model, using the 120hp 1.6-litre diesel engine, will be launched. It gets a colour coded rear spoiler, side skirts and a Type-R-style bumper, as well as 17" alloys and a black roof lining.
The Civic range also gets a new Connect infotainment and audio system which is controlled by a large central touchscreen. In an automotive first, that touchscreen uses Google's Android operating system, which means it can be controlled, smartphone style, by swiping, pinching and tapping.
Will the performance boost of the Type-R and the tech boost of Google be neough to lift Civic sales back to where Honda wants them in Europe? If not, then more layoffs at Honda's factory in the UK can be expected.
