Honda Civic 2016 in Malaysia

  • 2016 Honda Civic FC 1.8 S, 1.5 Turbo, 1.5 Turbo Premium – specs and equipment in a nutshell

    Yesterday, Honda Malaysia officially launched the tenth-generation Honda Civic in KL. Malaysians get to choose from three variants – the 1.8S, 1.5TC and 1.5TC-P (TC for turbocharged and P for premium). Here’s a recap of what one gets for the money, and the list of equipment, in a nutshell.

    Honda Civic 1.8S – RM110,426

    • 1.8L naturally aspirated SOHC i-VTEC engine, CVT gearbox
    • 141 PS, 174 Nm, 0-100 km/h 10.4 secs, claimed FC 15.9 km/l
    • 16-inch rims, 215/55 tyres
    • Automatic halogen projector headlamps, LED DRLs
    • Wing mirror indicators
    • Body colour door handles
    • Remote engine start and walk away auto door lock
    • Keyless entry and push start
    • Cruise control
    • Full colour digital LCD meter panel
    • Single-zone auto air con
    • Rear air con vents
    • Leather wrapped steering wheel
    • Steering audio buttons with electrostatic switch
    • Fabric seats
    • Eight-way powered driver’s seat
    • Seven-inch touchscreen head unit, eight speakers
    • MP3, iPod, 2x USB, HDMI
    • Hands-free telephone with voice recognition
    • Six airbags (dual front, side, curtain)
    • VSA, ABS, EBD, BA, Hill Start Assist
    • Electronic parking brake with auto brake hold
    • Multi-angle reverse camera
    • Ultrasonic and tilt sensors

    Honda Civic 1.5TC – RM124,076

    All of the above, plus:

    • 1.5L DOHC VTEC Turbo engine, CVT gearbox with paddle shifters
    • 173 PS, 220 Nm, 0-100 km/h 8.2 secs, claimed FC 17.2 km/l
    • 17-inch rims, 215/50 tyres
    • Leather seats

    Honda Civic 1.5TC-P – RM131,883

    All of the above, plus:

    • LED headlamps, LED fog lamps
    • Chrome door handles
    • Dual-zone auto air con
    • Navigation

    NOTE: All prices listed are on-the-road excluding insurance; add RM300 for White Orchid Pearl paint.

    We’ve driven the FC Civic 1.8 and 1.5 Turbo in Thailand, and found a couple of differences. For instance, while rear AC vents are not available in the Land of Smiles – even in the top RS Turbo spec – they’re standard across the board here. The glovebox lid, which freefalls when opened in the Thai car, has a more-acceptable damped action in the Melaka-assembled CKD Civic. These are among the results of Honda Malaysia’s customisation to suit our market’s higher expectations.

    The base 1.8S variant surprised our office with its long list of standard equipment. Things like the digital meter panel, touchscreen head unit, cruise control, electrostatic switch, reverse camera and leather wrapped steering wheel weren’t present in the Thai 1.8L we drove last month, which felt acceptable back then. All at a starting price that’s lower than the 1.8L FB it replaces, too. The new Civic’s Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status would have surely played a part in the competitive pricing.

    The standard Honda Malaysia five-year unlimited mileage warranty applies, and the service interval is 10,000 km, with five times alternate free labour when servicing. Read our full review of the 2016 Honda Civic.

    Compare the full specifications and equipment of all three 2016 Honda Civic models sold in Malaysia on CarBase.my.

    If you’d like to check out the new Honda Civic in person, Honda showrooms around the country are having an open day this weekend from 11am to 4pm.

    There will be gifts for those who sign up for a test drive, a gift when you place a booking, as well as fun activities for the kids while you check out the car. Click here to look for your nearest Honda showroom.

    GALLERY: Honda Civic 1.8S


    GALLERY: Honda Civic 1.5TC
    GALLERY: Honda Civic 1.5TC-P

     
     
  • VIDEO: 2016 Honda Civic – Apple CarPlay in action

    The biggest news today is undoubtedly the local launch of the new 2016 Honda Civic – the tenth-generation of Honda’s iconic C-segment mainstay has been completely revised for this year with a fresh new look, a new turbocharged engine and a slew of new technologies.

    One of the key additions is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, making the Civic one of the first cars in Malaysia – together with new Volvo XC90 and the W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the latter also launched today – to come with the functionality straight out of the box. We’ve put together a short video explaining how the system works with CarPlay (and only CarPlay, for reasons you’ll see later on).

    Starting up CarPlay is easy enough – just connect your iPhone to a dedicated USB port, located underneath the (very HR-V-esque) gearlever “bridge,” and the icon will pop up on the Display Audio infotainment system’s main menu. Tap on it (remembering to unlock your phone beforehand) and voilà – the display now shows an iOS interface built specifically for a car.

    2016 Honda Civic 1.5T Premium Display Audio 5

    Once in, however, you’ll find that there really isn’t all that much to do. You can make a call by pressing the Phone icon – this jumps straight to Siri, which enables you to say the name or number that you intend to dial; if you prefer, you can also access your contacts or an old-fashioned keypad to dial the number by hand.

    Want to dictate a message, or have one read to you through Siri when you’re on the road? You’re limited to SMS and iMessage on the built-in Messages app – there’s no support for other services like WhatsApp or Line at the moment.

    You also won’t be able to access Waze or Google Maps for navigation – yes, you’re stuck with the not-very-accurate Apple Maps to guide you to your destination, which must be a scary thought for some people. There’s also no multitouch support for the seven-inch touchscreen, so you can’t pinch to zoom into the map.

    Apple CarPlay in the Maps (left) and Music (right) apps

    Music options are, thankfully, a lot more fully-featured. Apart from built in Music app – which houses songs bought from the iTunes Store, as well as the Apple Music streaming service – you’ll also be able to use Spotify and Deezer, as well as listen to podcasts and audiobooks through their respective apps.

    So, what about Android Auto? Well, the new Civic does support the system, but unlike CarPlay, it’s not built into the phone from the get-go – it’s an app that you’ll have to download from the Google Play Store, and it’s not available in Malaysia. It could be worth the wait for it to arrive here, however – you get to use the handy Google Maps instead, and the even handier Waze will make its way to the system in the coming months.

    The best news? The Display Audio system is available on all Civic variants sold in Malaysia – yes, even the base 1.8S – so they will all have support for CarPlay and Android Auto from day one. For more information on the new 2016 Honda Civic, read our full launch story here; you can also find out how it drives in our review, which you can find here.

    GALLERY: 2016 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo Premium

     
     
  • 2016 Honda Civic FC launched in Malaysia – 1.8L and 1.5L VTEC Turbo, 3 variants, from RM111k

    Civic lead 1

    One of the most anticipated car launches in recent times happened this morning with the official unveiling of the 2016 Honda Civic in Malaysia. The tenth-generation FC Civic is available in three CKD locally-assembled variants – the 1.8L, 1.5L Turbo and 1.5L Turbo Premium with all the bells and whistles. The on-the-road excluding insurance prices are RM110,426.51, RM124,076.29 and RM131,883.37, respectively.

    The new Civic’s fastback shape looks like nothing else in the market now, never mind the C-segment. The “Best Civic Ever” also looks like none before it. The design is certainly bold, and will be the FC’s main selling point. Like or loathe?

    The sculptured FC is rather imposing in the metal for a C-segment sedan, and the dimensions correspond. At 4,630 mm long and 1,799 mm wide, the new Civic is a full 105 mm longer and 44 mm wider than the ninth-gen FB it replaces. The larger footprint is coupled with a 19 mm reduction in height (1,416 mm) for a sleek appearance. Check out our New vs Old gallery of the FC head-to-head with the FB.

    Civic side

    The wheelbase – cut by 30 mm from eighth-gen FD to FB – is back to where the revolutionary FD was, at 2,700 mm. Boot volume is 519 litres. Honda claims more interior space for both front and rear passengers. No more full flat floor for the rear quarters, though.

    Malaysian buyers get to choose from two engines – a 1.8 litre i-VTEC naturally-aspirated engine and the new 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo engine. Both are paired to G-design shift CVT transmissions (different units in 1.8 and 1.5 Turbo), which replace the five-speed conventional torque converter automatic employed in the previous two generations.

    The R-series SOHC NA engine is a carryover with improvements. It makes 141 PS at 6,500 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. Retuned to match the more efficient CVT (over the 5AT), fuel consumption and emissions have been improved over the previous Civic 1.8. Honda claims combined FC of 6.3 litres per 100 km (15.9 km/l). 0-100 km/h is done in 10.4 seconds.

    Civic rear 1

    The L15B7 direct-injection downsized turbo unit makes 173 PS at 5,500 rpm and 220 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm. It effectively replaces the 155 PS/190 Nm 2.0 litre NA engine in the local line-up. There’s no other automatic gearbox for the turbo engine other than this CVT, even in the US, although China gets a 6MT option.

    The move from NA to turbo for the local range topper is more for efficiency than anything (2.4L power without the associated fuel costs, Honda says), just like what the Europeans have been doing for some time now. Everything is improved over the old 2.0 NA – power, torque, fuel economy and emissions – but the Civic Turbo is not a full-on sports sedan, despite the evocative “VTEC Turbo” badging. Claimed combined FC is 5.8 litres per 100 km (17.2 km/l) and 0-100 km/h is done in 8.2 seconds.

    Osamu Takezawa, the Civic’s assistant large project leader (deputy chief engineer), explained that Honda’s choice of a CVT gearbox for the turbo engine, besides helping fuel economy, mitigates turbo lag. Also, the turbo model has an engine oil change warning light.

    The new Civic’s body may be 22 kg lighter than before, but torsional stiffness is up by 25%. It sits on front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension. The dual-pinion variable ratio EPS steering (claimed to provide better response and linearity) turns 17-inch five-spoke wheels on the Turbo (215/50 tyres) and 16-inch rims on the 1.8 NA (215/55). Honda claims greatly improved noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels, and “class-leading quietness”.

    We move on to the equipment, which is pretty long. Standard across the board are six airbags (dual front, side, curtain), VSA, electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, cruise control, eight-way powered driver’s seat, LED daytime running lights and a seven-inch touchscreen factory head unit, with multi-angle reverse camera. Also standard is the cool full-colour LCD digital meter panel.

    Also standard are keyless entry and push start, remote engine start (key fob starts engine and air con, works from 10 metres) and walk away auto door lock (auto locks the doors once you’re two metres away from the car, or 30 seconds after you’ve left it), features that will impress showroom goers.

    Civic interior 2

    Interestingly, all Malaysian Civics will come with rear air con vents, which were not present in the top Thai-spec RS Turbo we tested last month. A welcome addition. Our CKD cars will also get a damped action for the glovebox lid, which falls shockingly hard in the Thai Civic. Unlike the base Thai car, our Civic 1.8 gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and we get black-themed cabins across the board.

    Honda Malaysia says that it customises features and equipment levels to suit our market, which has high expectations, instead of just taking what Thailand has wholesale.

    Opt for the 1.5 Turbo and one will get to enjoy leather seats, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, 17-inch wheels, steering paddle shifters and brushed aluminium trim. The range-topping 1.5 Turbo Premium further adds on LED headlamps, LED foglamps, navigation and dual-zone auto air con (single-zone auto for the rest). Unique headlamps aside (halogen projectors for the rest) the 1.5 Turbo Premium is distinguishable by its chrome door handles.

    Five colours are available, and they are Crystal Black Pearl, Dark Ruby Red Pearl (as per the City and more recently, HR-V), Modern Steel Metallic, White Orchid Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic. The latter two are new colours; add RM300 for pearl white. As usual, a full range of Modulo accessories are optional (five-piece bodykit for RM4,650), along with window tint.

    Once again, the new Honda Civic is priced at RM110,726, for the 1.8L, RM124,376 for the 1.5L Turbo and RM132,155 for the 1.5L Turbo Premium, OTR excluding insurance. The car has Malaysia’s Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status and Honda expects a five-star ASEAN NCAP crash test rating.

    The standard Honda Malaysia five-year unlimited mileage warranty applies, and the service interval is 10,000 km, with five times alternate free labour when servicing. Read our full review of the 2016 Honda Civic.

    You can check out and compare detailed specifications of the Honda Civic 1.8S, 1.5TC and 1.5TC Premium models on CarBase.my. Interested to buy the new Civic? Click here to contact any of our Verified Sales Advisors on CarBase.my.



    GALLERY: Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo Premium

     
     
  • 2016 Honda Civic spotted in Malaysian showrooms

    2016 Honda Civic in showroom 4

    After several sightings of the 2016 Honda Civic on trailers in Malaysia, dealers have now gotten their hands on the tenth-generation model. We now have images of the new Civic following its arrival in Malaysian showrooms.

    For buyers, it appears that there will indeed be three variants on offer – a base 1.8, mid-spec 1.5 Turbo and top-spec 1.5 Turbo Premium. How do you tell them apart? Well, based on the lead image above, the car painted White Orchid Pearl should be the top-spec 1.5 Turbo Premium. The full LED headlamps (with LED DRLs), LED fog lamps and chrome door handles are obvious giveaways.

    Moving on, the middle car in Dark Red Ruby Pearl is likely the mid-spec 1.5 Turbo. Although it shares the same 17-inch five-spoke, two-tone alloy wheels as the Premium, the middle variant gets halogen projectors instead of LED units, and the door handles follow the body colour instead. Both Turbo models are powered by a new 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo mill that produces 173 PS at 5,500 rpm and 220 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm, with a CVT paired to it.

    2016 Honda Civic in showroom 9

    Finally, the Civic on the far right, wearing a Modern Steel Metallic paintjob ought to be the base variant featuring the familiar 1.8 litre i-VTEC naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine making 141 PS at 6,500 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm, also with a CVT mated. It shares the same halogen projectors as the 1.5 Turbo, but comes fitted with wheels that sport a shuriken-style design instead.

    Interior-wise, we are only provided a view of the 1.5 Turbo Premium’s cabin. Items that should be exclusive to the top-spec variant include dual-zone air-conditioning, evident by the ‘Climate’ button located just below the seven-inch touchscreen, and nicer trim materials. As you can see, a multi-function steering wheel, a digital instrument panel, push-start, electronic parking brake (with auto brake hold) and Eco button are part of the equipment list here.

    Of course, we’ll have to wait until the official launch of the 2016 Honda Civic on June 9 before any specifications can be confirmed. For now, things that are a certain include six airbags and eight-way powered seat, which comes standard on all variants. As for pricing, the Civic range is expected to be priced from RM118k to RM135k, according to dealers. Thoughts?

     
     
  • SPYSHOTS: 2016 Honda Civic spotted on trailers in Malaysia; launches on June 9, in dealerships June 11

    2016 Honda Civic spotted trailer 2

    Honda Malaysia is well on track to introduce the tenth-generation 2016 Honda Civic in Malaysia after several units of the model was sighted being transported on trailers in Malaysia. Thanks to paultan.org readers Norazlan Kasim and Ken Lim for the images.

    Similar to our earlier sighting of the new Civic, the units riding on the trailer are a combination of the base 1.8L and Turbo variants. The Civic with the shuriken-style wheel design (seen on the Thailand-spec Civic 1.8 EL) and Modern Steel Metallic paintjob, is likely to be the 1.8L model. The up-close view also reveal door handles that match the body colour.

    As for the Turbo variants, there are 17-inch five-spoke, two-tone alloy wheels instead. Additionally, the door handles are now chromed to further distinguish itself from the base 1.8L. According to a local dealer, the Civic 1.5 Turbo range will include standard and Premium versions.

    However, as the images provided to us only show the cars’ rear, it’s hard to tell which of the two Turbo variants are being transported. The Civic 1.5 Premium will come equipped with full-LED headlights and LED fog lights at the front.

    Honda Malaysia has already started counting down the days to the arrival of the 2016 Honda Civic. On Sunday (June 5), the company uploaded a new cover photo for its official Facebook page, highlighting the car’s auto brake hold function, along with the caption, “the dream ride arrives in 4 days.”

    Previous cover photos include the car’s remote engine start function, 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo engine, walk-away auto lock and digital instrument panel. As you can tell, all the postings point towards a June 9 launch date, and we will be on hand to cover the debut of the popular C-segment car. The new Civic will be in Malaysian showrooms on June 11.

    Excited yet? Well, until the launch of the 2016 Honda Civic, why not check out our review of the tenth-gen model in Chiang Mai, Thailand. If you’re already convinced by the new Civic, bookings are already open.



    2016 Honda Civic Malaysian countdown

     
     
  • New Honda Civic in M’sian dealerships from June 11

    Civic-Malaysia-Invite

    The new 2016 Honda Civic will be in Malaysian showrooms on June 11, 11am to 4pm, according to a customer invite sent to readers Muhammad Hamidie and Calvin Tey by their Honda SAs, and forwarded to us. “The dream ride has arrived,” the e-invite proclaims, touting “exciting features you have only dreamed of, brought to life.”

    The new Civic made its first official Malaysian appearance at the recent My Auto Fest 2016 event, and we’ve spotted in on the road during ad filming, but this is the opportunity for all and sundry to get up close and personal with the all-new FC.

    We’ve already done so, and you can check out our test drive report of the new Civic from Thailand, as well as a New vs Old gallery with the FC butt-to-butt with the ninth-gen FB. Some eager dealers have also detailed the variants and specifications for the Malaysian-spec CKD Civic, which differs slightly from the Thai-spec car.

    Civic-Malaysia-Invite-2

    We’re set to get three variants of the new Civic, one with a 1.8 litre NA engine and two with the new 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo engine. Six airbags, a reverse camera, electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, rear air-con vents (not available in Thailand), eight-way powered driver’s seat, remote engine start, walk away auto door lock, and a seven-inch touchscreen audio will be standard.

    The turbocharged model adds on leather seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 17-inch two-tone alloys, paddle shifters and a higher grade of trim. Opt for the Turbo Premium and you’ll be rewarded with dual-zone air-con, full LED headlamps and LED fog lamps. Expect a range of Modulo accessories from Honda Malaysia.

    Probably the most anticipated non-national passenger car launch this year, the new Civic is just around the corner now.

    GALLERY: Malaysian-spec Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo Premium

     
     
  • SPIED: 2016 Honda Civic seen on trailer in Malaysia

    civic-effie-1

    It looks like the 2016 Honda Civic has begun rolling out to dealerships in Malaysia. These pix are thanks to paultan.org reader Effie Muzaffar, who spotted a trailer loaded with several units of the tenth-gen model on the highway. This could indicate that a local launch isn’t too far away.

    Based on the images, we see the new Civic in different colours, including Dark Red Ruby Pearl and Crystal Black. We expect other popular colour options like White Orchid Pearl, Lunar Silver and more to join the palette as well at launch.

    In our earlier report, a local dealer revealed that three variants of the Civic will be offered to buyers – a base 1.8, mid-spec 1.5 Turbo and top-spec 1.5 Turbo Premium. The latter was previewed during the My Auto Fest 2016 event, featuring chrome door handles, LED headlamps and 17-inch five-spoke, two-tone alloy wheels.

    Though we can’t tell what headlamps are fitted due to the wrapping on the cars, the lack of chrome door handles indicate that none of these cars are the 1.5 Turbo Premium variant. However, the five-spoke, two-tone alloy wheels on six out of the seven cars seen here hint at the possibility that they are the mid-spec 1.5 Turbo variant.

    As for the sole car with the shuriken-style wheel design, this is likely the 1.8L model. Said wheels look identical to that on the Civic 1.8 EL sold in Thailand.

    As the variant names suggest, the base variant will be powered by the familiar 1.8 litre i-VTEC naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine making 141 PS at 6,500 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. The Turbo variants get the new 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo mill that kicks out 173 PS at 5,500 rpm and 220 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm. Both engines are paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

    Regardless of variant, the Civic will come with six airbags and an eight-way powered seat as standard. The 2016 Honda Civic is set to be launched in Malaysia in Q2 2016, with the bookings already open for the C-segment model. With this new information, will you rushing to put in your order for the new Civic?

    If you need further insights, do check out our review of the new Civic in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where we tried out both the NA and turbo versions.

    GALLERY: 2016 Honda Civic previewed in Malaysia

     
     
  • 2016 Honda Civic in Malaysia – three variants detailed

    Honda Caryn Civic variant list

    It appears that dealers are raring to start selling the 2016 Honda Civic in Malaysia. This posting on the Honda Caryn Facebook page provides us some insights on the variants and specifications for the tenth-generation model when it goes on sale here.

    According to the “brochure,” the 2016 Civic will be offered in three variants – a sole NA and two turbo options. Let’s start with the naturally aspirated choice here (Civic 1.8), which will pack a 1.8 litre i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine making 141 PS at 6,500 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm.

    As standard, six airbags are fitted here (dual frontal, sides, curtains), along with a reverse camera, electronic parking brake (with auto brake hold), rear air-con vents, eight-way powered seats, remote start, walk away auto door lock, a tilt sensor and Honda Display Audio infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen.

    Moving into the turbo realm, we meet the Civic 1.5 Turbo, which adds on leather seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels, more premium trim garnishing and paddle shifters.

    Finally, the top-spec here is the Civic 1.5 Turbo Premium. As the name suggests, all the equipment from the Turbo is available here, with the addition of dual-zone air-conditioning, full LED headlamps with auto leveling and LED fog lamps.

    Both turbo variants get the brand-new 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo mill that outputs 173 PS at 5,500 rpm and 220 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm. A CVT is mated to both the NA and turbocharged engines.

    The equipment list mentioned here is certainly an interesting one, featuring items that aren’t available on some of the Civic’s competitors. However, we’ll wait for the official launch for confirmation on what is offered here. For now, do check out our review of the FC Civic in Chiang Mai and let us know what you think of the Malaysian-spec Civic thus far.

    GALLERY: 2016 Honda Civic previewed in Malaysia

     
     
  • 2016 Honda Civic previewed ahead of M’sia launch

    Honda_Civic-2

    As promised, Honda Malaysia is previewing the 2016 Honda Civic at My Auto Fest 2016. The tenth-generation C-segment contender made its public debut here in Malaysia today, appearing in its local specification form.

    The radically-styled fastback sedan is shown in top-spec Turbo guise, equipped with full-LED headlights, LED fog lights and 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels; it’s also clad in the new, dark silver hero colour called Lunar Silver Metallic, which we spotted on an undisguised car last weekend.

    Unlike the Thai-market RS though, we won’t be getting a gloss black grille (chrome for us) or a full-width rear spoiler. No RS badging either – just a subtle VTEC Turbo emblem.

    Honda_Civic-15

    Inside, we can spot leather seats (with a carbon fibre pattern on the centre stripe), paddle shifters, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning and the Honda Display Audio infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen. A peek through the heavily-tinted rear windows also revealed rear air-con vents, which are missing on Thai-market models.

    Power comes from either a retuned 1.8 litre i-VTEC naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol making 141 PS at 6,500 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm, or a brand-new 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo mill that kicks out 173 PS at 5,500 rpm and 220 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm. Both engines are mated exclusively to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

    The standard kit list is long, with even the base 1.8 litre variant getting Remote Engine Start and Walk Away Auto Lock – the former works at distances of up to 40 metres, while the latter automatically locks all doors when the driver walks away with the key beyond 2.5 metres from the car. An electronic parking brake, a brake hold function and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat are also standard across the range.

    Also commendable is the standard safety kit on offer, with all variants getting six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (VSA) and rear ISOFIX child seat anchors. There’s no hint of the Honda LaneWatch feature – found on the Thai-spec RS – being available, however, even on this range-topping car.

    The new FC Civic is now open for booking, and will be launched in the second quarter of this year, which means it will be here very soon. In the meantime, you can read our full review and check out a new vs old gallery with the outgoing ninth-gen FB.

     
     
  • VIDEO: 2016 FC Honda Civic test drive in Thailand

    Two weeks ago, we were in Chiang Mai to sample the 2016 Honda Civic ahead of the tenth-generation’s local launch, which is just around the corner. You would have by now read our first impressions of the radically-styled new Civic, and here’s the official event video to complement the text and pics.

    The new Civic looks like nothing else in the market, never mind the C-segment, and you can see the sedan’s fastback-shape and longer/wider/lower body in motion here. Plenty of character lines and sculptured surfaces too, in addition to jewellery such as the scaled LED headlamps on the Thai top-spec Turbo RS and the horn-like LED rear signatures.

    The RS also features a gloss black winged grille and a full-lenghth raised spoiler, two local special items that we’re not getting. We will however get a range of Modulo accessories including a bodykit and a (more subtle) spoiler.

    Click to enlarge

    Like Thailand, Honda Malaysia will introduce a 1.8L naturally aspirated variant alongside the 1.5L VTEC Turbo version. Despite the latter grabbing all the attention and headlines, it’s the 1.8L NA that’s expected to take the lion’s share of sales. Both cars come with a CVT gearbox, which replaces the old five-speed torque converter auto. Fuel consumption and emissions have been improved as a result.

    In terms of spec, Honda Malaysia has announced that all local cars will come with six airbags and an eight-way powered driver’s seat. We understand that VSA, electronic parking brake with brake hold function, Remote Engine Start and Walk Away Auto Lock will also be across the board. LED headlamps and 17-inch wheels will be reserved for the top Turbo.

    The signature colour for the FC Civic in Malaysia is a new dark silver hue that’s lighter than Honda’s usual grey, as seen in our spyshots of the local-spec 1.5 Turbo undergoing a video shoot in Putrajaya. Also, read our full review of the Civic 1.8 and Civic 1.5 Turbo to find out how it compares against the ninth-gen FB Civic, Toyota Corolla Altis and Mazda 3; and check out our New vs Old FC/FB gallery.

    GALLERY: Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo RS, Thai-spec


    GALLERY: Honda Civic 1.8 E, Thai-spec

     
     
  • SPYSHOTS: 2016 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo in Malaysia

    Civic-Msia-Spy-01

    “Isn’t that the new Civic?” Hafriz asked me and photographer Sherman as we wiped down our test car of the week for photography. An early Sunday morning to Putrajaya and familiarity with the car meant that I took a while to register the impact – this is the first time we’re seeing a tenth-generation Honda Civic in Malaysia, in local spec. Sherman duly whipped out his camera.

    Our cropped pics don’t show the leading camera vehicle, but the FC was starring in a video shoot, likely to be the local Honda Malaysia (HM) TVC. A registered and tinted example, the radically-styled C-segment sedan is seen here in Turbo form, with the same 17-inch, two-tone alloys from the Thai-spec Turbo RS (with Continental MC5 tyres, Bridgestone Turanzas in Thailand) and full LED headlamps.

    As shared in our pre-launch review of the Civic 1.8 and 1.5 Turbo, our local top-spec car won’t get the Thai range topper’s “RS” moniker and unique items (gloss black winged grille, full length raised spoiler, RS boot badge) but there will be a range of Modulo accessories to kit up your FC.

    Click to enlarge

    A “VTEC Turbo” emblem on the bootlid as per the Indonesian Civic Turbo is expected, but HM isn’t going as far as tacking on step-down mufflers to make the twin pipes visible (they’re designed to be discreet).

    Not much else to note other than what should be the signature colour for the car in Malaysia – a dark silver that’s lighter in hue compared to Honda’s usual grey. It nicely shows off the myriad lines and surfaces of this fastback-style sedan.

    The new Civic is now open for booking, with HM revealing that all variants (1.8 NA and 1.5 Turbo, both CVT) will get six airbags and an eight-way powered driver’s seat. We understand that the VSA, electronic parking brake with brake hold function, Remote Engine Start and Walk Away Auto Lock will also be across the board. Read our full review of the FC Civic and a new vs old gallery with the outgoing ninth-gen.

    GALLERY: Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo RS, Thai-spec

     
     
  • GALLERY: Honda Civic – 10th-gen FC vs 9th-gen FB

    Honda Civic New vs Old 1

    You’ve read what we think about the new 2016 Honda Civic vis-à-vis the outgoing Civic and Japanese rivals such as the Toyota Corolla Altis and Mazda 3, so there’s no point beating around the bush here – the Civic is back on form, and this new car is an all-rounder that will re-energise the C-segment.

    The FC is an improvement over the underwhelming ninth-gen Civic FB in all areas, but in no other department is the difference so stark as in design – as captured in our latest New vs Old gallery.

    First, the new car is significantly larger. The FC, at 4,630 mm long and 1,799 mm wide, is a 105 mm lengthier and 44 mm wider than the FB. The larger footprint is coupled with a 19 mm reduction in height (1,416 mm) for a sleek appearance. The wheelbase – cut by 30 mm from FD to FB – is (almost) back to where it was, at 2,698 mm.

    Honda Civic New vs Old 5

    The FB is an evolution of the revolutionary FD, carrying over the eighth-gen car’s radical monoform shape and dual-tier cabin, although the original concept was better executed. Like the FD in 2006, today’s Civic boasts a shape that’s new in the market, never mind the segment. Fastback-style, with a sloping roof and sculptured panels – it’s quite a sight and really eye-catching from certain angles.

    We’ll let this gallery – FC vs FB with Chiang Mai’s iconic Tha Phae Gate as background – do the rest of the talking. The Civic will be launched in Malaysia very soon, and is now open for booking.

    Check out details of the local-spec tenth-gen Civic and read our review of the 1.8 NA and 1.5 Turbo.


    GALLERY: Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo RS, Thai-spec

     
     
  • 2016 Honda Civic to arrive in Malaysia in Q2 2016, to be previewed at MIECC from May 20 to 22

    Honda Civic Thai Review 49

    Already open for booking, the new, highly-awaited 2016 Honda Civic will be launched in the second quarter of this year, Honda Malaysia has confirmed. Seeing as we’re only one and a half months away before the start of the second half, this means that the tenth-generation C-segment sedan will be arriving very soon indeed.

    Honda Malaysia claims that the Civic name is synonymous with the brand in the country, with the company selling 81,013 units of the ubiquitous Japanese family car since it introduced the seventh-gen ES in 2001 – of course, that doesn’t include the likely tens of thousands of older models sold under the banner of the previous sole distributor Kah Motor.

    Measuring 4,630 mm long, 1,799 mm wide and 1,416 mm tall, the new FC model is longer, lower and wider than the ninth-gen FB, with a low-slung roofline, mask-like front fascia and C-shaped tail lights providing a much more dynamic appearance compared to the dour predecessor. Buyers can add yet more pizzazz to the styling by opting for full-LED headlights and the 1.5 Turbo’s 17-inch alloy wheels (instead of the 1.8’s 16’s).

    Honda Civic Thai Review 52

    Power comes from either a retuned 1.8 litre i-VTEC naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol making 141 PS at 6,500 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm, or a brand-new 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo mill that kicks out 173 PS at 5,500 rpm and 220 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm. Both engines are mated exclusively to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

    The standard kit list is long, with even the base 1.8 litre variant getting Remote Engine Start and Walk Away Auto Lock – the former works at distances of up to 40 metres, while the latter automatically locks all doors when the driver walks away with the key beyond 2.5 metres from the car. An electronic parking brake, a brake hold function and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat are also standard across the range.

    Honda Civic Thai Review 9

    Also commendable is the standard safety kit on offer, with all variants getting six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (VSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and rear ISOFIX child seat anchors.

    Honda Malaysia will be previewing the new Civic at My Auto Fest 2016, happening at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) from May 20 to 22. As usual, we’ll be there to bring you a full live gallery of the car, so stay tuned. In the meantime, read our review of the new Honda Civic here.

    GALLERY: 2016 Honda Civic in Thailand

     
     
  • DRIVEN: 2016 FC Honda Civic 1.8L, 1.5L VTEC Turbo

    Honda Civic Thai Review 53

    The Europeans have the Golf, we have the Civic. Together with the Corolla, it’s one of the most iconic car nameplates in these parts. Many have either grown up with one, lusted after one or owned one; some can tick more than one box.

    A household name and enthusiast favourite, Honda’s longest-running model has been with us for 43 years over nine generations. Some were groundbreaking (fifth-gen EG, eighth-gen FD) and some were not as well-loved (seventh-gen ES, ninth-gen FB), but by and large, the Civic name stood for reliable family cars with a sporty spirit.

    Honda says that the all-new, tenth-generation Civic is its best ever. Pretty big shoes to fill, considering the lineage. After covering the FC on Bangkok and Jakarta motor show stands, we finally drive it to see if the claims hold water.

    Read The Full Story ›

     
     
 
 
 

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Last Updated Mar 07, 2024