rth Shore News - 33

NEWS photo Nell Lucente

THE NEW two-door Honda Civic Coupe is built on a similar platform to the Civic sedan, which was updated for the 1992 model! year. Manufacturer's suggested retail

price starts at $12,995.

Honda Civic Coupe

Economical youth-oriented coupe manufactured in North America

Greg
Wilson

TEST DRIVE

THE NEW two-door Hon-
da Civic Coupe is the
newest member of the sub-
compact Civic family which
now includes a hatchback, a
sedan and the targa-topped
Det Sol sports car. The
roomy Civic was
dropped last year.

Civic models, which were up-
dated for the 1992 model year,

44 A sporty car for those who want
stvle and performance but dont
want to give up on practicality. #9

share similar engines, platforms,
suspensions and interior compo-
nents, but each has its own char-
acter and combination of  styte
and utility.

The new two-door Coupe i
youth-oriented, sporty car for
those who want style and perfor-
mance but don't want to give up
the practicality of good gas mile-
age, rear seats and a trunk.

There are at least a half-dozen
Other small sporty coupes on the
market, most of which are based
on an economy car platform fike
the Civic Coupe.

The Civic Coupe is the only
import car in its class that is built
ia North America, Civic Coupes
are manufactured alongside Civic
Hatchbacks in Alliston, Ontario,
and in Ohio. Interestingly, there
are ono Civic Coupes built in
Japan.

The sweeping lines and high

deck of the Civic
theme evident
Preiude

rear
follow a
fionda models: the
Legend Cou

This wind-cheating design
works successfully on the smaller
Civic Coupe and in my opinion,
the Coupe is the most handsome
of all the Civics.

Civic Coupes are available in
two trim levels: base DX and
sporty Si. Standard equipment on
the base model includes a {02-
horsepower 1.5-Htre overhead cam
four-cylinder engine with four
valves per cylinder and multi-port
fuel injection. Equipped with a
standard five-speed manual
transmission, the 1.5-litre engine
Offers excellent fuei economy,
averaging 4.1 litres per 100
Kilometres (46 mpg) in combined

2an and highway d

With the optional
automatic, average

Coupes
in other
and

four-speed
mileage

gas

drops to 6.8 litres per 100
kilometres (42 mpg), still a good
figure.

Standard features on the Civic
Coupe DN inchide a driver's side
airbag, intermittent wipers, tinted
glass and 13-inch all-season radi-
als. Power steering is standard on
models equipped with the optional
four-speed automatic transmis-
sion, but is not available on man-

nission-equipped models.
DX models start at $12,995.

The s a more powerful
12S-horsepower — 1.6-litre | engine
with variable valve timing, the
same engine used in the hatchback
Si and sedan EX-V. Variable
valve timing improves horsepower
and torque above 5,000 rpm,
thereby offering high rpm per-
formance while allowing good fuel
economy at lower engine revolu-
tions.

The Si Coupe weighs just 1,084
kilograms and offers sprightly ac-
celeration and nimble handling.

Bur like the DX, engine noise
when accelerating is quite loud
and engine vibrations intrude into
the p neaer compartment. This
contrasts with the engine’s quiet
performance at highway cruising
speeds.

's page 37

Base price $12,995
Type tvo-door, five
ger coupe

Layout (transvers
engine/lront-wheel drive
Engine i.5-litre four-
cylinder, SOHC, 16-valves
Horsepower 102 @ 5,900 rpin
Torque 98 @ 5,000 rpm
Transmission five-speed
manual/four-speed automatic
Curb weight 1,009 42,224
Ibs.

Whecibuse
in.

Length 4,390 mm/172.8 in.
Width 1,700 mm/66.9 in.
Height |,354 mm/53.3 in.
Tires P175/70 R13 radials
Fue! consuinption City 6.9
L/100 km (41 mpg); Hwy 5.3
L/100 km (53 mpg)

Warranty three years/60.06
km, powertrain five years
100.000 km

Inquire sbout the
Civie Coupe at Pa
Ga, 725 Nigrine Or.
Yan.

passen-

ont

2,620 mm/103.2

Honds

| enna