The redesigned 2006 Honda Civic adds additional safety, performance and refinement with all Civics receiving the following new equipment: Side-curtain airbags, front-seat side airbags, Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, 4-channel ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution, active front-seat head restraints, increased horsepower, instrument panel gauges near the windshield, and telescoping steering wheel. Coupe and Sedan versions are powered by a more powerful and more fuel-efficient 140-horsepower 1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine. The Civic Si is powered by a 197-horsepower 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine mated with a 6-speed manual transmission and features a helical-type limited slip differential, a rear deck spoiler, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
With its well-tuned ride and handling, fuel economy, smaller-than-ever body gaps and new styling and interior, Honda's eighth-generation Civic sets a new benchmark for compact cars.
Key Features of the All-New Honda
Civic
Power Train
- Newly developed 1.8L i-VTEC
engine
The newly developed
1.8L i-VTEC system further improves on Honda's original
VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control)
technology to allow the engine to retard intake valve
closure timing under low engine-load driving conditions.
Valve control is complemented by a DBW (Drive By Wire)
system that provides optimum throttle valve control,
significantly reducing pumping losses. This results
in greater energy efficiency, for a major improvement
in fuel economy while cruising. At the same time,
improved intake efficiency and a higher compression
ratio deliver an output of 140PS (103kW) at 6,300
rpm and 174Nm (17.7kg-m) of torque at 4,300 rpm.
- Transmissions
To take full advantage of the engine's performance
characteristics, Honda has developed a 5-speed automatic
transmission that achieves both powerful acceleration
and superior fuel economy. In addition to direct control
via a linear solenoid and coordination of control
functions with the DBW system, the use of both close
and wide gear ratios delivers dynamic off-the-line
performance and smooth, shock-free acceleration, combined
with outstanding fuel economy during high-speed cruising.
Exterior Design
- The exterior employs a forward-cabin,
sporty monoform design, with the front window thrust
boldly ahead, emphasizing the extension of the front
fenders and rear deck with the cabin more compact
lengthwise. The result is a form rich in three-dimensional
contours that emphasizes the independence of the cabin
while at the same time imparting a sensation of dynamic
solidity. - From the front view, sharply designed,
innovatively shaped headlights slant boldly up to
either side of the horizontal floating center grill.
Elegantly flush surfaces emphasize the unity of the
front mask, which gently blends into the hood and
up to the expansive surface of the front windshield
to impart a feel of aerodynamic, high performance
quality. - From the side view, the body gives
a strong feeling of width, while the character line
has a triangular cross-section extending rearward
from the front to the rear bumper to express a feeling
of speed and power. - The sporty rear view features a
cut-off tail that creates a refreshing image, with
oval, dual exhaust pipes and rear combination lights
arranged in a pattern of four circular lights with
ring-shaped illumination.
- Opposing flat wipers provide the
wiping performance needed to keep the large front
windshield clear. Also, the simple and thin blade
design effectively reduces wind noises.
Interior Design and Packaging
- The wide body and long wheelbase
create a relaxing, spacious cabin interior, while
the large front windshield thrusts forward at an accentuated
angle, combining with the positioning and angling
of the glass area to create a spacious visual feel. - The Multiplex cockpit is designed
as an advanced technology space in which the driver
experiences a new enhanced level of security, for
increased driving ease and pleasure. To improve both
visibility and operability, the driver interface has
been completely redesigned, with first priority given
to the positioning of the displays and controls. The
multi-tier meter design groups the most important
components in easy-to-see, easy-to-reach locations. - The speedometer and other instruments
that the driver frequently refers to have been carefully
located in a newly designed Multiplex meter display
positioned directly in front of the driver, high up
and at some distance on the instrument panel. This
reduces the angle that the driver must deflect his
or her gaze downward while driving, minimizing eye
movement, while at the same time making the display
closer to the driver's field of vision, reducing the
need to refocus. In addition to the speedometer, the
upper tier includes the fuel gauge, coolant temperature
gauge, and turn signal indicators. Limiting the number
of gauges permits the use of a large, digital display
for the speedometer for improved readability in a
compact size that does not impinge upon the driver's
field of vision. The lower tier houses a self-illuminating
tachometer, odometer, and trip meter.
- The small-diameter compact steering
wheel provides a sportier image combined with improved
instrument panel visibility. The shift lever also
employs a sporty, compact design. Located right beside
it within easy reach is the emergency brake lever,
which adopts a Z-shaped configuration for a major
reduction in overall length. The organ-type accelerator
pedal ensures a linear pedal feel. - The newly developed front seats
combine a wrap-around fit with stylish design. The
seat cushions feature low-resistance urethane cushions
and expanded spring pitch front and rear contribute
significantly to vibration absorption. The springs
have also been set lower in the rear to naturally
draw the occupant snugly into the seat. Furthermore,
the urethane backing on the seat covering has been
made thicker for improved comfort and a firmer hold.
- Increased overall body width results
in a wider interior, while modifications to the shape
of the front seatback and a floor with minimized central
tunnel height ensures a more spacious rear seat area.
- The trunk is a spacious 450 liters,
with minimal intrusion of the wheel housings. The
Civic is also equipped with *60:40-split rear seats,
which fold down easily with the pull of a lever located
inside the trunk. - *Those seeking the excitement of
sporty, manual control, will enjoy the S range, which
allows shifting with the simplicity of a Formula One
racing machine via Honda's Sequential Sportshift.
This sophisticated feature lets you shift up or down
by simply pressing the (+) button or (-) button on
the steering wheel spoke. It puts genuine exhilaration
at your fingertip command.
* For 2.0S models only
Chassis and Body
- The wide stance contributes to improved
drivability and a smoother ride. To help provide more
direct, linear handling feel, the positioning of the
steering gearbox, the structure of the body and sub-frame,
and the symmetry of the suspension have been comprehensively
redesigned. - The strut front suspension provides
outstanding space efficiency. A side-force canceling
spring reduces shock absorber friction for improved
ride comfort, while making for a more compact suspension.
The rear suspension employs a compact, reactive-link,
double-wishbone design. The shock absorber and spring,
formerly a single unit, have been separated and positioned
slightly behind the wheel center for improved tire
contact and a more comfortable ride, while at the
same time reducing road noise. - The body achieves an extremely high
level of rigidity, with 35% greater torsional rigidity
than the previous model. Dynamic rigidity has also
been improved by achieving the correct balance of
rigidity front and rear, and by strengthening seams
throughout the vehicle. This achieves a high degree
of handling stability, while also improving ride comfort.
Other innovations include the use of light, strong,
high-tensile steel in most of the body's major frame
components, the use of tailored blank welds in key
areas, and combining steel plates of varying thicknesses
and materials for efficient strengthening. - Reduction of crankshaft knocking
and high-precision control of ignition timing to limit
high-frequency ignition noise during combustion are
just two of the measures employed to reduce engine
noise at its source The engine mounts are supplemented
by torque rods to absorb longitudinal engine vibration.
This considerably reduces the transmission of engine
vibration and contributes to more linear handling. - The cabin area employs flat joints
between the plates for the center pillars, rear wheel
housings, and trunk area to reduce the number of holes
and gaps, while the bottom portion of each pillar
is insulated with urethane foam to reduce noise in
the cabin interior. Light, high-performance sound
insulation materials are also optimally positioned
in the floor and central roof area to achieve high
levels of noise reduction and weight reduction.
Safety Performance
- The Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
system-which includes the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
Traction Control System (TCS), and sideslip control-works
in combination with the DBW electronic throttle control
that optimizes engine torque to achieve precision
handling. - The vehicle's crash compatibility
body provides a high level of self-protection and
also improves compatibility toward other vehicle.
In a full-frontal collision, the upper frame and lower
members distribute and absorb the energy of impact,
diffusing it into the front pillar and floor. At the
time of impact, the lower members prevent misalignment
with the crash-absorbing members of the other vehicle,
and together with the upper frame create a broadened
surface with which to absorb the impact, significantly
reducing cabin intrusion. - The vehicle is equipped with dual
SRS airbags and Active Headrests, which utilize link
mechanisms located at the back of the seats to move
the headrests forward and support occupants' heads
when the occupants are forced backward into their
seats in the event of a rear-end collision. In addition
to the link mechanism, which moves the headrest upward
and tilts it forward into the appropriate position,
an inertial stopper holds the headrest in position
even after pressure is reduced, significantly reducing
load on the neck area.
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