The 2016 Honda Civic made its debut late last year in North America, powered by a 2.0 litre naturally aspirated engine and a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine. The 158 hp 2.0 NA – the base engine – is available with a six-speed manual, but the 174 hp downsized turbo is paired exclusively with a CVT gearbox.
The lack of a 1.5L turbo + 6MT combo was disappointing to certain quarters and enthusiasts, especially those who know for a fact that Honda manuals are among the sweetest shifting in the industry. Be sad no more though, as a 1.5 litre manual mule is currently undergoing testing, as snapped and sampled by the lucky folks at CivicX. The stick shift turbo is expected to be ready for model year 2017.
However, even if a 1.5L 6MT combo is available from Honda, it’s unlikely that such a variant will make it to our market, as there are just not enough genuine stick shift buyers (many claim to be fans, very few put their money on it) to make a business case. The 1.5L CVT pairing, now being tested for the Indonesian market, could make the cut.
Regionally, Thailand should be the first in line to get the “best ever Civic”, which wasn’t just benchmarked against traditional rivals like the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra/Sylphy, Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Cerato, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Jetta; but also “luxury compact class vehicles” like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. The Europeans were used as benchmarks for ride, handling, steering and NVH, as well as interior quality and refinement.
Test mules have been spotted in the Land of Smiles since November last year, and Honda Thailand has started the countdown by releasing a through-the-generations video and graphics of the famous nameplate. We’re expecting the radical-looking C-segment sedan here later this year.
GALLERY: 2016 Honda Civic
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
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- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
(many claim to be fans, very few put their money on it) to make a business case
shows how annoyed the writer is with the keyboard warriors in the comment section.
Agreed. Malaysians demand skyhigh spec but dirt cheap price. Millennials mentality.
Cars sold in Malaysia is not cheap. Unless buying a car only for their own use, they have other family members who also have to drive it and don’t want (or don’t know) to drive a manual. With high cost of living, owning more than 1 car per family sometimes is not an option. And end up buying an auto.
Vtec turbo1.5 power output lost to proton’s 1.5 tgdi.. whyyy
Actually this engine of honda 1.5 turbo not vtec turbo, vtec turbo is for European market.
Vtec turbo comes out 201hp and 260nm
dumb to compare to proton TGDI which is still a dream yet. proton always claim this claim that but always lying. eg Iriz…the MYVI killer. but Iriz has commited suicide from day 1
When Honda was supplying turbo engines to Formula 1 in end 70/ early 80s, proton is still not born yet.
U mean Malaysian PPL HV soft leg?
Means that some of the so-called purists/enthusiasts talk big like politicians but when the manual option does arrive, they do not bother to buy the vehicle with manual options.
I blame the prices of car in Malaysia which is expensive when sometimes it is not an option to own more than 1 car per family. Like, when buying a car have also to think about other people who also going to drive it like wife, siblings and parents who don’t want to drive a manual.
Can’t wait to drive this car!! Hope that Honda Malaysia will surprise us with retainment of many safety features.
Proton 1.5 TGDi 180HP 250NM ftw
mesians get 1.5L CVT NA…
I know this wish will not come true but I just wish this Civic Turbo 6MT will come to Malaysia and car prices will become a lot cheaper as promise by our beloved PM.
U din vote for him, so why da heck he needs to tepati this manifesto. After all, Manifesto bukan janji, janji tak semestinya ditepati… oh wai…. thats the excuse given by the ‘other side’