Honda Motor President and CEO, Takanobu Ito reveals New Civic at Frankfurt Motor Show

-New Civic makes public debut
-Designed for, tested and uniquely produced in Europe
-Newly developed smaller diesel added to Civic range in 2012
-New generation of low emission engines for Europe
-30% CO2 reduction target for all product areas by 2020

Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very pleased to join you today at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
50 years ago, Honda's first European company was established in Germany in 1961. Since then, our mission has always been to satisfy European customers with unique and innovative products.
Our journey still continues today. We are making progress with a range of clean and sustainable, yet fun-to-drive mobility technologies. We continue to develop our Hybrid, Battery Electric, Plug-in, and Fuel Cell products alongside energy generation technologies such as Solar Cell and Cogeneration.
Since 1972 when we became the World's 1st auto maker to meet strict US emissions regulations with CVCC technology, Honda has been committed to reducing our environmental footprint.
Our New Environmental Mark symbolizes our passion to provide sustainable mobility for future generations and to deliver ‘blue skies for our children'.
To measure and demonstrate this commitment, we announced in June that we aim to deliver a 30% CO2 reduction on all product areas by 2020.
The New Civic is the first step towards achieving this new target. The 1.8 litre petrol engine delivers a 10% CO2 reduction. The 2.2 litre diesel engine reduces CO2 emissions by nearly 20%, whilst further enhancing performance.
By the end of 2012, we will add a newly developed smaller diesel engine to the Civic range. Designed specifically for the European market, the new engine will further reduce CO2 emissions. Starting with this new smaller diesel, Honda will introduce a new generation of low emission engines, renewing all of our automobile engines in Europe.
From the First Civic to this 9th generation Civic, we have always challenged ourselves to give Civic a new value. The New Civic offers a striking sporty design and class-leading utility created by Honda's unique centre-tank layout, whilst now offering even more improved fuel economy, handling and comfort.
The New Civic is designed for European customers. We tested this car on European roads more than any other Honda car in our history. It is dynamic and stable. It is fun and comfortable with no compromise made to achieve these improvements.
New Civic is not just an evolution, it is a revolutionary evolution. We have jumped 2 generations ahead of our current model.
The new Civic will be uniquely produced in Europe, and sales will start in early 2012.
Ladies and Gentlemen, THIS IS... THE NEW CIVIC, and with this New Civic, Honda's strong regeneration in Europe begins.
Thank you for your attention.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,1977-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode

Exclusive Preview of the New Civic (Europe)

September 12, 2011 - The new Honda Civic will be launched tomorrow at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). Honda has released the first exclusive photos of the new Civic. Designed and developed specifically for the European market, the new Civic will be offered as a five-door hatchback and will compete in the C-segment. It will reach European showrooms in early 2012.

The designers of the new Civic wanted to keep the sporty and advanced elements of the car’s character but tailor them to express the new model’s even more elegant yet dynamic feel. Sources of inspiration included a ‘blended wing body’ aeroplane * in which the fuselage and wings blend into a single body for superior aerodynamic performance, quietness and habitability.

Nearly all of the body components have been redesigned on the new Civic with particular focus on ride and handling, reduced CO2 emissions, interior quality, while preserving the class-leading cabin and boot space and flexible practicality.

Source;

http://world.honda.com/news/2011/4110912New-Civic/index.html

Link to Honda's site;

http://www.honda.co.uk/cars/campaigns/2011/newcivic/#/hotspot-tooltips

Honda UK: Hot Honda Civic’s power hike

The limited-edition Honda Civic Type R Mugen has received a power and torque hike thanks to a reworked version of the venerable K20 powerplant.

Just 20 examples of the motorsport-derived Honda Civic Type R Mugen went on sale last year, and for the new version technicians at Northampton-based Mugen Euro company have increased the cylinder bore and stroke of the engine to 2156cc.

See pictures of the Honda Civic Type R Mugen 2.2

The result is a 20bhp power hike to 260bhp and additional torque on tap throughout the rev range, with a peak of 177lb ft at 6000rpm.

The tweaked engine capacity has prompted Honda to christen the new machine the Civic Type R Mugen 2.2. Like its predecessor, the machine features Mugen-produced sports suspension, uprated brakes and a performance bodykit.

The Civic Type R Mugen 2.2 has been developed as a tribute to the Honda K20 2.0-litre petrol engine, which has ceased production in Japan. The race-tuned engine has powered the only two complete road cars produced by Mugen – the Japan-only Civic Mugen RR four-door saloon and the Civic Type R Mugen produced in the UK.

Hiro Toyoda, vice-president of Mugen Euro, said, “Environmental pressures mean naturally aspirated engines are rapidly being superseded by other engine architectures and technologies. We may never see the like of the K20 in a mainstream production car again, so it felt only fitting we mark the occasion with this special 2.2 version of the Honda Civic Type R.”

It’s not yet clear how the Honda Civic Type R Mugen 2.2 will be sold. Of the 20 limited-edition 2.0-litre cars launched in 2010, four remain unsold and it’s possible Mugen Euro may offer them with the reworked engine.

Existing owners of the Honda Civic Type R Mugen could also be invited to return their cars for an upgrade. Honda UK says a decision will be made shortly.

Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/259070/