Friday. October 20, 2000 —- North Shore Mews ~- 27

NORTH SHORE

NEWS AUTOMOTIVE

GUIDE

ALL new for 2001, the Honda Civic sedan DX and LX offer a slightly bigger 7.7-litre, four cylinder engine with an 8% increase in horsepower, a larger, roomier pas- senger cabin, a new suspension, improved transmissions, a bigger trunk and more safety features. 2001 Civic sedans range in price from $15,800 to $18,900. Test drive the new Civics at Pacific Honda, 725 Marine Drive, North Vancouver.

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FIRST introduced in Canada way back in 1973, the Honda Civic is now in its seventh genera- tion.

In 1998 and 1999, it was the best-sclling passenger car nameplate in Canada (if you include sedan, coupe and hatwh- back models}, and it’s expected to retain that title in 2000. Completely redesigned for 2001, the new Civic comes in sedan and coupe bodystyles only — the hatch- back model has been diseon- tinued.

Honda Canada National Sales Manager, Arch Wilcox, explained that sales of the hatchback were declining, and that a Honda-sponsored survey of hatchback owners revealed that 70% would buy a coupe if it was the same price as the hatchback. Still, | for one am sad to see the hatchback go, if for no other reason than that it was practical and relatively inexpensive.

Another model not returning for 2001 is the high-perfor- mance Civic SiR coupe with the 160-horsepower VTEC engine — it will probably return in 2002.

2001 Civic Sedans are offered in DX and LX wim (replac- ing LX and EX), and Civic Coupes are available in DX, EX and Si trim.

This Test-Drive will focus on the 2001 Civic sedan, the

At A Glance

“The Civic’s overall length and width ave about the same as before, but the nose is shorter and the cabin is longer.”

most popular Civie bodystyte.

Changes for 2001 Changes for the 2001 model year are significant but not ground-breaking. The Civic’s overali length and width are about the same as before, but the nose is shorter and the cabin is longer. This provides more interior room for passen- gers — rear passengers now have 49 mm (two inches) more legroom. In addition, a new cabin design allows a flat floor. The trunk has been increased in size by 27 litres (1.0 cu. ft.) to 365 litres (12.9 cu. ft.). With a wider trunklid, Honda says the new trunk will now fit four 660 mm suitcases. Despite the Civie’s shorter nose, Honda's internal crash tests have confirmed that the new Civic will attain a five-star NCAP frontal crash-test rating. This is due in part to a revised engine bay design and a relocated steering box. Under the hood, the previous standard 1.6-litre, SOHC 16 valve, four-cylinder engine has been enlarged to 1.7 litres with an increase in horsepower from 106 to 115, and an increase in torque from 103 ft.-fb. at 4,600 r.p.m. to 110 ft.- Ib. ac 4,500 p.m. (Coupe Si’s get a 127-horsepower 1.7- litre VTEC engine).

OF note is that even though the base engine has more horsepower, fuel consumption has been improved by about a% ro 10%: City fuel consumption has gone from 8.+ litres/100 km (34 m-p.g.) to 7.5 litres/100 kin (39 m.p.g.). Highway fuel consumption has improved trom 6.7 litres/100 kim (42 m.p.g.) to 6.0 Hitres/100 km (47 m.p.g.).

In addition, the new engine now mets strict California ULEV (ultra low emisstons vehicle) standards, and though engine displacement has increased, the new engine is actually smaller and lighter than the previous engine.

Both available transmissions, the standard five-speed man- ual and optional four-speed automatic transmission, have undergone changes to make shifts smoother. Manual trans- ~ mission shifts are shorter and more precise while the auto- matic is smoother and quicker.

Significant suspension changes have improved ride and handling and created more cabin and trunk space: a new space-ctficient front MacPherson strut suspension replaces the previous double wishbone suspension, and offers - improved damping and steering control. At the rear, a more compact revised double wishbone suspension improves track- ing, stability and ride. In addition, spring rates have been reduced to improve the ride.

The variable rack and pinion steering has been improved too — longer tic rods now reduce the effect of sudden bumps on the steering, and steering effort at lower speeds has been reduced,

Body tolerances (the gaps between body panels) have been cut in half, improving the overall look and quality of

See Rear page R