Honda Prepares A Civic Wagon

Honda’s European president Manabu Nishimae announced the addition of an all-new Civic "wagon" to the range as part of the model’s 40th anniversary and that a concept of the latest addition to the ninth-generation Civic range will be shown in 2013.

Heavy-hitting 1.6 diesel

More big news at the Paris show revolved around the introduction of a 1.6 i-DTec diesel engine to the CR-V SUV (to be launched in South Africa shortly) and the Civic range launched here earlier in 2012.

The new smaller diesel engine is the first in a series under Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology banner. It uses a new high-strength material in the cylinder head and, according to Honda, is the lightest aluminium open-deck 1.6-litre diesel engine in its class. It is 58kg lighter than the current 2.2-litre i-DTec engine, Honda said.

CO2 emissions of 94g/km are noted for the engine that delivers 88kW/300Nm at 4000 and 2000rpm, respectively. Honda quotes a combined fuel consumption figure of 3.6 litres/100km.

Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series will apparently be rolled out to replace existing engines (in Europe) over the next three years.

Honda has also shown off revisions to its CR-Z hybrid which includes changes to the interior and exterior styling and a combined power increase.