The new Honda Civic has just been launched, and ahead of today’s event we managed to speak to the car’s large project leader Tomoyuki Yamagami. One of the key areas Honda focused on was ride and handling, and the company has apparently aimed high, benchmarking the FE against premium models in addition to the usual C-segment competition.
“Within the C-segment there were the Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3; as for the benchmark for the ride we also looked at the Audi A3 and A4 which are perceived as higher-segment [vehicles], as well as the Volkswagen Golf,” said Yamagami.
Particular attention has been paid to improving ride comfort and this has paid off with the Civic already being well-received in this regard, Yamagami added. “We believe this is why we are getting a good response from the countries we have already launched the car in.”
The new Civic benefits from a significant amount of under-the-skin tweaks. The body has been stiffened in key areas such as the subframes and floor and utilises nearly ten times the amount of adhesive compared to the outgoing model. The result is an eight per cent increase in torsional rigidity and a 13% increase in bending rigidity, providing a stable base for the rest of the improvements.
as benchmarks for the new Civic’s ride comfort
These include more linear and responsive steering, revised suspension components and tuning and new bushings and wheel bearings. The rear track has also been widened to increase stability, while a new Agile Handling Assist (AHA) system applies braking force to individual wheels to reduce understeer in the corners.
According to Yamagami, the Civic has been tested extensively in Europe, where high-speed stability is key – hence the increase in wheelbase by 33 mm. “In crosswinds and when the body turns, the driver can actually feel the improvement in stability,” he said, adding that the implementation of AHA and a stiffer steering rack has clawed back the agility lost by increasing the wheelbase.
To recap, the new Civic is priced between RM125,635 and RM144,350 and powered exclusively by an upgraded 182 PS/240 Nm 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo engine. The car also now comes as standard with the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance systems, such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist and a new Lead Car Departure Notification System. You can read our full launch report for details and our first impressions review to get a feel for how it drives.
GALLERY: 2022 Honda Civic V
GALLERY: 2022 Honda Civic RS
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I thought only our local Politicians BS the Rakyat.
Why no Smart Key in the RS version?
So like a school project, this car is better than before after using a lot more UHU glue?
Benchmark Accord enough,
When it is better than Accord, the civic comfort then it is ok.
Don’t need downplay glorified car, like how Proton X70 want to compare Benz GLC.
Take E variant, from rm114k(FC) to rm125k(FE), just for Honda Sense. In the FC, prospective buyers could decide to go for TC(w/o HS) or TCP(w/ HS for extra rm10k).
Now price has risen rm11k basically this is not pushing better safety down the chain but forcing buyers to top up the extra for Honda Sense even with base variant. Can we have an E variant w/o HS for rm114k as before? Buyers should have a choice right?
Nice to applaud Honda for making HS standard but not at the expense of charging customers for it.
Honda worry challenge by VW Golf?
Don’t worry, Golf Compact Hatcback Malaysia don’t even have ADAS, a tin kosong..
PS, why this gen up to RS variant got cheapo sharkfin antenna when previous gen even down to E variant have better looking window antenna? Feels like a cost-down-price-up generation. Perhaps the facelift will be more palatable with kit updates, only time will tell.
Should benchmark again rolls Royce…
and fiat multipla for styling.
I heard last time Honda benchmark the Civic FC against BMW 3 series during development, but after launch quiet already. Now tukar benchmark pula…can’t win against BMW now looking to fight against others.
Honda trying to be BMW of Asia