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2010 Honda Civic Si Coupe Review

September 2009
Filed under: HONDA Car News | HONDA Headlines

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The 2010 Honda Civic lineup has its bases covered with technologically advanced Civic Sedan and Coupe models, a Civic Hybrid, a high-performance Civic Si and a dedicated natural gas-powered Civic GX. All Civics were recently enhanced inside and out for the 2009 model year with new exterior styling, colors and increased availability of tech-friendly features. For 2010, the entire range of Civics remains largely unchanged.

Enhancements carried over from 2009 include recently refreshed exterior and interior styling features comprised of updated headlight and taillight combinations; new alloy wheel designs for Civic EX, Civic EX-L and Civic Si; and updated seating cloth materials for a more premium interior feel.

“The Honda Civic meets the needs of a diverse audience with economical and fun-to-drive performance in a wide variety of choices and styles, said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The Civics reputation for durability, quality and reliability helps it stand apart from the crowd.

Built on a high-rigidity unit-body platform, the Civic is designed to deliver precise, sharp and refined handling performance with its MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.

Four engine and four transmission choices range from a 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine (Civic DX, DX-VP, LX, EX and EX-L), with either a 5-speed manual or an available 5-speed automatic transmission, to a 197-horsepower, 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine (Civic Si) with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Civic Hybrid is powered by a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) gasoline-electric hybrid technology to enhance both fuel economy and performance, and is equipped with a continuously variable transmission.

The Civic GX is powered by a dedicated natural gas version of the Civics 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine " and is equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Both Civic Hybrid and Civic GX are classified as Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (AT-PZEV) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The Civic GX is classified by the EPA as an Inherently Low Emissions Vehicle (ILEV).

The entire line-up maintains a standard array of safety technologies including Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure; side curtain airbags; drivers and front passengers side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and dual-stage, dual-threshold drivers and front passengers airbags (SRS). Active front seat head restraints are designed to help reduce the likelihood of neck injury in the event of a rear collision.

Standard active safety features include an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electronic brake distribution, front seatbelts with an automatic tensioning system, and a pedestrian injury mitigation design incorporated into the front exterior of the vehicle. Driver and front passenger seatbelt reminders and daytime running lights are also standard equipment. The Civic EX-L, Civic Si and Civic Hybrid include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), commonly referred to as electronic stability control, as standard safety content.

The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System, available on Civic EX, EX-L, Si and Hybrid models, has a 6.5-inch motorized display that opens and closes for access to the internal single-disc CD player, and a digital audio-card reader that can play MP3 and Windows Media® Audio (WMA) files from CompactFlash® cards (via a PC card adapter).

The navigation system features more than 7 million points of interest and the voice activation can control the navigation menus and the audio system, along with entering city and street names. The system includes Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, a wireless telephone interface that works with compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile telephones for hands-free operation via steering wheel-mounted controls.

Auxiliary audio input jacks are standard equipment on Civic DX-VP and above trim levels, allowing for portable music device playback through the audio system. The Civic LX Coupe has a six-speaker 160-watt audio system with a CD player (four speakers for the DX-VP and LX sedan). All audio systems are capable of playing MP3- and WMA-formatted CDs. Standard Speed-sensitive Volume Control (SVC) automatically adjusts the volume based on vehicle speed. Audio displays include CD/MP3 text readout, and all coupes (except for the DX) plus the Civic Si Sedan provide a customizable welcome screen (exclusively on models without the available navigation system).

Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe with 1.8-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine
The Civic lineup for both the Sedan and Coupe start with the value-rich Civic DX model equipped with a standard 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter, SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission (5-speed automatic available), power windows, 15-inch steel wheels with covers and P195/65R15 tires, and a folding rear seat. The Civic DX-VP Sedan adds air conditioning, a four-speaker 160-watt AM/FM Audio System with CD player (MP3/WMA enabled), and an auxiliary audio input jack.

The Civic LX adds or upgrades: cruise control, power door locks, 16-inch steel wheels with covers, P205/55R16 tires, keyless entry, center console with sliding armrest, progressive blue illumination instrument panel meters, auto up and down drivers power window, and a folding rear seat.

The Civic LX-S Sedan adds or upgrades: alloy wheels, LX-S-exclusive sport-trimmed black cloth seats with synthetic suede bolsters and silver stitching, LX-S-exclusive leather-wrapped steering wheel, LX-S-exclusive rear-deck spoiler, and a chrome exhaust finisher.

The Civic EX Sedan and Coupe adds or upgrades: a one-touch power moonroof, a 60/40 split folding rear seat, ambient console lighting, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and the availability of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Activation, which also includes XM Satellite Radio.

The Civic EX-L adds or upgrades: leather-trimmed seating surfaces, console, steering wheel and shift knob; heated seats; and heated door mirrors.The Civic EX Coupe and EX-L Coupe exclusively feature a 7-speaker with subwoofer AM/FM audio system with CD player (MP3/WMA enabled).

Civic Si Sedan and Coupe (2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine)
The Civic Si Sedan and Coupe serve as the performance cornerstone for the Civic lineup with a 197-horsepower, 16-valve, DOHC, 2.0 liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine mated to a close-ratio, 6-speed manual transmission. A helical-type, limited-slip differential enhances traction in high-performance driving situations. The Civic Sis sport-tuned suspension adds firm spring, damper and stabilizer bar tuning along with exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels and high-performance tires. Exclusive exterior features include a rear wing spoiler (low profile on the sedan) and Si emblems. The sports-oriented interior adds firmly-bolstered and performance oriented sport-trimmed black cloth seats with synthetic suede bolsters and red stitching. For 2010, the only cosmetic change to the Civic Si is the color of the engine cover switching from silver to black.

Civic Hybrid (1.3-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with IMA)
The Civic Hybrid with advanced Integrated Motor Assist IMA® hybrid technology achieves an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy of 40/45 miles per gallon and includes Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and an available leather-trimmed interior with heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and heated side mirrors. The Civic Hybrid is certified by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) as an Advanced-Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV). A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard equipment.

The Civic Hybrid can deactivate all four of its cylinders and operate using only the electric motor in certain low-speed cruising situations. Power for the Civic Hybrid is provided by a 1.3-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and a 15 kilowatt electric motor, producing a combined 110-horsepower @ 6000 rpm and combined 123 lb-ft. of torque @ 1000-2500 rpm.

Civic GX (1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, dedicated natural gas vehicle)
The ultra-clean Civic GX produces near zero emissions and enables owners to become eligible for a $4,000 federal tax credit. The 2010 Civic GX is the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger car available to retail customers in the United States and achieves an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy of 24/36 miles per gasoline-gallon5. Currently, natural gas is approximately 35 percent less expensive than gasoline when purchased at a refueling station. The Civic GX is the only vehicle certified by the EPA to meet both Federal Tier 2-Bin 2 and Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero evaporative emission certification standards. The Civic GX is available to consumers at qualified Honda dealers in the states of California, Utah and New York and is also available to fleet customers nationwide from qualified Honda dealers.

Manufacturing
The majority of Civics sold in the United States are produced and assembled in the United States and Canada using domestic and globally sourced parts. All Civic Coupe and Civic Si models are solely produced and assembled at the Honda of Canada Manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ontario, along with the Civic Sedan. Honda Manufacturing of Indiana in Greensburg, Indiana, also produces the Civic Sedan. Civic Hybrid models are produced and assembled in the Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Suzuka, Japan, manufacturing facility.

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