Honda Civic 2008 News

Honda is adopting a brighter shade of green with the surprise announcement of an additional hybrid sedan and the fast-tracking of its stunning fuel-cell car to production.Honda president Takeo Fukui said a dedicated hybrid would go on sale in 2009 to support the existing Civic Hybrid. The new car is smaller and is expected to cost about 2/3 of the Civic price.The news is slightly more blurred about Honda's cute CR-Z sports coupe, also slated for a hybrid powerplant.Better news is for Honda's medium-size fuel-cell car, the FCX Clarity, which goes on sale in the US in June and in Japan in October. The FCX theoretically has a market in Australia, though Honda Australia spokesman Mark Higgins said an immature infrastructure for hydrogen would delay local sales.Honda also released details of a sophisticated low-emission 2.2-litre diesel called the i-DTEC. This engine will appear first in the European-spec Accord but won't come to Australia for at least two years. 

As interest rates bite and with it consumer belt-tightening, some analysts predict a slowdown this year.But the first two months of the year showed strong gains over the same period last year.Light-car sales rose 2236, or 22.5 per cent, and the small-car segment rose 1645, or 8.6 per cent, over February last year, according to the latest VFACTs industry sales figures.The off-roader, or SUV market, grew by 3365 vehicles, or 22.6 per cent.These gains were partially countered by declines in the large-car segment, down 2488 or 19.9 per cent, and medium-car segment, down 383 or 5.1 per cent.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Andrew McKeller says the runout of key models has affected volumes in the large and medium segments.The arrival of the new FG Falcon in May and expanding Holden Commodore line-up with its Sportwagon will help turn around sales figures in coming months, he says.Toyota was the top-selling brand in February with 20,703 sales, or 23 per cent of the market, ahead of Holden with 12,386 sales, 13.8 per cent, and Ford with 9405 sales, 10.5 per cent.For the year so far, Toyota leads Holden by 15,916 sales and remains market leader with a 22.4 per cent market share.Holden has a 13.1 per cent overall market share and Ford is third at 9.9 per cent.Among the light and small-car stars were the Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Getz, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Yaris, Honda Civic and Mitsubishi Lancer.Holden was large-car leader, selling 4313 VE Commodores, followed by Ford with 2520 Falcons and Toyota with 1855 Aurions.The announcement of the end of Mitsubishi 380 production affected February sales, the company sold only 471 380 V6s.Melbourne-based industry analyst Tony Robinson, of SurePlan, believes new-car demand will soften late in the year.There is usually a six to nine-month lag between spiking interest rates and its impact on buyer patterns, he says.But he is confident the market will still go close to one million sales this year. What's sellingTop 10 makes1 Toyota 20,7032 Holden 12,2363 Ford 94054 Mazda 70225 Honda 48006 Mitsubishi 54237 Nissan 51008 Subaru 33719 Hyundai 401010 Volkswagen 2883 Top 10 models 1 Holden Commodore 43132 Toyota Corolla 41913 Toyota HiLux 33254 Mazda3 28255 Ford Falcon 25206 Toyota Yaris 22807 Toyota Aurion 18558 Toyota Camry 17239 Mitsubishi Lancer 168210 Honda Civic 1665 

They are hybrids and the best-known is the Toyota Prius, though there is a range of Lexus hybrids up to the flagship LS600hL.

A simple fender bender could cost you more than $7000 to repair.That's part of the findings of new research carried out by motoring organisation the RACV.Nine small cars were tested in the study using a new crash apparatus that has never been used in the southern hemisphere before.It is the first in a year-long program to test various cars for sale within Australia.The testing simulated a 10km/h impact, one of the most common forms of accidents. The RACV then priced repairs for the collision.The findings highlighted the huge variety in repair costs across the small-car segment. The Toyota Corolla was the star with an estimated repair cost of just over $1000, or 4.4 per cent of the car's recommended retail cost.That was offset by the high costs to repair the Honda Civic and Suzuki Swift. The Honda's repair bill was more than $7000 and the Suzuki's $5547, a whopping 34.7 per cent of the car's price.“The results show a vast difference in repair costs across the range of vehicles tested because a poorly designed bumper can slide under other bumpers on impact, causing more damage to both vehicles,” RACV Insurance general manager Susan Allen says.Aside from the repair costs, poor-performing cars can lead to further insurance increases.“We are urging consumers to consider repair costs as an important factor when buying a new car because this can have a significant impact on their insurance premium,” Allen says.The testing is done in conjunction with six countries around the world and is designed to highlight deficiencies to help carmakers improve their vehicles.RACV's chief vehicle engineer, Michael Case, praised Toyota's efforts with the Corolla for collisions with other cars and pedestrians.“The Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic scored similar leg-protection results in the EURO NCAP pedestrian-safety program, yet the repair costs of these vehicles differ dramatically,” Case says.“This proves manufacturers can design vehicles that can perform well in pedestrian safety and vehicle protection.”The RACV's results come in the wake of similar testing done by NRMA Insurance.Each year the New South Wales company conducts two low-speed accident tests of more than 46 of the country's biggest sellers. The first simulates a 15km/h impact with a solid barrier and the second a rear crash at 30km/h.That data is used to calculate the repair costs for such accidents and, according to NRMA Insurance chief Rick Jackson, some of the results are shocking.“Though design enhancements may largely go unnoticed by vehicle owners, they can have a sizeable impact on the cost of insurance,” Jackson says. “Design improvements by carmakers are helping to reduce collision costs in some makes and models, but there is still a need for improvement."“A startling fact that has come out of this year's low-speed crash test is Australia's three biggest-selling family sedans — the Holden Commodore, Toyota Camry and Ford Falcon — have all increased in repair cost. The Falcon by a staggering 26 per cent.“However, proving that new-car technology doesn't have to become more expensive, the cost of repairing the Mazda6 has dropped 36 per cent since last year.”Such data is used by the insurance company to help set rate premiums, meaning choosing the right car could save you money.“Motorists should consider the cost of repairing a vehicle before they make their purchase because a bargain in the showroom may not be such a good deal when taking the cost of insurance and repairs into account,” Jackson says. Crash test resultsEstimated Repair cost repair cost as a % of rrp1 Toyota Corolla $1018 4.4%2 Ford Focus $2357 10.7%3 Holden Astra $2626 10.9%4 Mazda3 $2886 12.6%5 Toyota Yaris $4016 22.1%6 Hyundai Getz $3363 22.4%7 Mitsubishi Lancer $5467 23.5%8 Honda Civic $7385 31.4%9 Suzuki Swift $5547 34.7% 

High-efficiency engines, diesels and hybrids — which have a small petrol engine assisted by an electric motor — are in the spotlight as buyers switch to smaller and smarter cars to avoid being slugged at the petrol bowsers.Small four-cylinder cars with engines around 2.0 litres have become by far the biggest-selling group, and the smaller light-car class — mostly 1.6 litres — is on track to out-sell large cars this year.New diesel models from several brands have been unveiled at the motor show.With the focus on fuel economy, demand for hybrid-engined cars continues to increase. The most economical car on sale is the hybrid Toyota Prius (4.4 litres per 100km), followed by the diesel Citroen C4 (4.5 litres) and Honda Civic Hybrid (4.6 litres).Hybrids have reached the luxury league, with upmarket brand Lexus demonstrating the self-parking system of its $233,000 LS600hL sedan.The 10-day motor show comes as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issues a stern “please explain” to oil companies over recent high petrol prices.ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel last week said; “We're bewildered by the fact that they're just so insensitive to community anger and outrage at this sort of situation.”As fuel economy becomes a must-have for many car buyers, the RACQ has made “going green” the theme for its motor show stand.Club staff are advising showgoers on how to save money and help the environment when buying and driving a car, compare vehicle technologies and understand fuel consumption labels.On the stand is the most economical car at the show, running on solar power instead of petrol. It is the University of Queensland's UltraCommuter entrant in last year's World Solar Challenge run from Darwin to Adelaide.Dana Di Labio, 19, from Murrumba Downs in Brisbane's north, said she would consider buying an environmentally friendly car.“Although they are a little bit more expensive, in the long term you save money on fuel, and it puts your mind at rest to know you're doing something for the environment,” she said.RACQ general manager for external relations Gary Fites said; there was no immediate relief in sight for Queensland motorists hit by petrol prices which have doubled over the past decade, while the consumer price index has gone up 30 per cent.Bowser wowsers RACQ tips for money-saving motoring: When buying a car, choose the smallest and most fuel-efficient model that suits your needsCompare fuel consumption informationConsider the lower fixed, annual and operating costs of owning a smaller carWhen your household has more than one car, try to use the more fuel efficient car for most travelChoose local, close destinations where possiblePlan your journeys and activitiesAvoid driving in peak hour congestion if possibleWalk, cycle or take public transport where possibleWhere safely possible, cruise at a reduced speedMinimise accelerating and brakingChange up through the gears as soon as practicalUse airconditioning only when necessaryDon't warm up or idle your engineFill your fuel tank only to the first click of the nozzleKeep your tyre pressure up to the recommended figureRemove unnecessary weight and roof racksService your car regularlyFor more information on fuel economy. 

Only 100 of Honda's fuel-cell cars are presently confirmed for buyers in the US, but the head of Honda Australia, Yasuhide Mizuno, is keen to see it in Australian showrooms too.The FCX was displayed as a concept at last year's Melbourne Motor Show but now, with production about to begin, Mizuno is planning a local future for it.“We want to bring it, if the research and engineering allow it,” Mizuno says. “If the infrastructure is set up, then we have some opportunity to sell it here."“Now we are just considering. We are talking with the product planning team at Honda headquarters.”Mizuno says there are problems but, just as Honda Australia made an early dive into hybrid cars with the Insight, he is keen.“Production capacity is one of the issues,” he says. “Specification is another. Australia is quite a tough country, so we have to consider the weather.”While Honda Australia is chasing the FCX, Mizuno confirms a big year in 2008 with new models.“This year is the Accord, Accord Euro and the Jazz,” he says. “Also there will be a minor model change for the Legend.”The Accord will hit the road in February, while Honda is forecasting 12,000 sales for the Jazz as it aims for another record showroom result.Mizuno says Honda Australia is benefiting from importing cars from Thailand, which has a free trade agreement with Australia, though it has to pay the bills in Thai Baht through US Dollars.More cars will be coming from 2009 as production of the CR-V and the Civic is transferred to a new Thai plant.He says the exchange rate is a problem for Honda Australia, but he has no plans to change sourcing or to go to the US for the Accord.“The Thai Baht is still very strong,” he says. “But mostly the Japanese manufacturer can enjoy the declining Yen and the high Aussie Dollars.” 

Just a week after US President George W. Bush told a Sydney media conference about how battery cars that didn't look like golf carts were being developed, the real things were displayed at the world's largest motoring show.General Motors showed off its Flextreme from its European subsidiary Opel. It's a small commuter car with an electric-diesel hybrid that can travel 55km on a single charge before switching to fuel. It is a concept car, meaning it may or may not go into production.Volvo will also unveil its plug-in hybrid concept at the show. Called the Recharge and based on its C30 hatchback, it uses four separate electric motors to power each wheel, augmenting a 1.6-litre four-cylinder Flexifuel engine.Meanwhile, Volvo said a fully charged model can travel about 100km before it needs to be recharged. And it is not a slug. It can reach 0-100km/h in nine seconds on the way to a top speed of 160km/h.VW is claiming fuel consumption of as little as three litres per 100km for its spiritual successor to the original people's car, the Beetle.The Up concept is a miniature four-seat city car powered by a rear-mounted two or three cylinder engine,  the first rear-engined car VW has made since the original Beetle. VW said the car would be low-priced and a fuel miser. It has claimed 3.5litres/100km with a target of reducing that to less than 3litres/100 km.That's better than Australia's current best the Toyota Prius hybrid at 4.4litres/100km, the Citroen C4 diesel at 4.5litres/100km and the Honda Civic Hybrid at 4.6litres/100km.It is also better than the new-age Fiat 500, which will have a diesel model with a claimed consumption of 4.2litres/100km and the next generation Smart car.VW boss Dr Martin Winterkorn said: “This is VW reinventing the Volkswagen. It is what the brand stands for — mobility for everyone.”Dr Winterkorn said show visitors' reaction to the car would decide whether the Up goes into full production.Volkswagen Group Australia managing director Jutta Dierks said: “If the philosophy stays the same as it was for the original Beetle, to be a car affordable to everyone, then it will certainly be a good fit into our market.” Volkswagen Up2 or 3-cylinder engine Fuel economy of 3.5l per 100km.Available in 2011.GM FiextremeElectric-diesel hybrid.Can travel 55km on battery power before switching over to diesel fuel. Volvo RechargeFour electric motors plus a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.Can travel 100km on battery power before re-charge needed.Top speed of 160km/h. 

Like Mazda, Honda is keeping its model options limited, having quietly dropped its under-performing MDX luxury SUV model last year.That just leaves the strong sales performers, which have Honda in seventh place, narrowly behind Mitsubishi, despite now having only one SUV on the market.Honda Australia managing director and CEO Yasuhide Mizuno said Civic sales are up 58 per cent, Jazz 42 per cent, Accord 75 per cent and CR-V 26 per cent.Mizuno, who began on the assembly line in 1986 and has worked for Honda in bikes and cars in Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and Malaysia, says worldwide revenue last year from 3.65 million cars was $111 billion, up 12 per cent.But while there are more Honda models available overseas, Australia gets a limited seven-car line-up with the Legend luxury saloon re-introduced last year.Honda Australia senior director Lindsay Smalley says between now and 2010 they will have an update on all models, but only release three new models.The first of these is the British-built Civic Type-R hot hatch which hits the showrooms this month. The standard three-door and five-door hatches are also expected in about 18 months and the other model is possibly the seven-seater Pilot, a replacement for the MDX.“It's the same size as the MDX but more of a family large wagon rather than a luxury SUV,” Smalley said. “We haven't really studied it yet.”Smalley said diesel versions of its Accord and VR-V were a possibility when Honda introduced its cleaner generation-two diesel engines in the next two years.The Acura luxury division, like Toyota's Lexus, is also a possibility, but Smalley says it is unlikely before 2015.“We would have to be selling about 100,000 a year,” he said.Last year Honda Australia sold 56,000 unit and this year Smalley expects to sell 64,000.He said sales growth depended on getting more Honda dealers. At present they have 96 nationally, but will increase that to 125by 2010.

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

The explosive Civic Type R, which is a hit in Europe and has a completely different look to the familiar Civic sedan, will land here in about June. But that does not mean the rest of the Civic hatch range will come here, according to Honda spokesman Mark Higgins. “We have to have a business case for bringing the (standard) hatch here,” Higgins says. “It’s made in Britain which makes it a different proposition price-wise from the sedan, which comes from Thailand. It would have to be more expensive (than the sedan) and we have to be mindful of it being competitive in the segment. “But the Type R is something a bit different. It’s a high performance model that sells at a premium so it makes a different case. All its competitors are special cars and many come from Europe. But we still intend to bring it here at a very competitive price.” The three-door Type R hatchback is powered by a 2.0-litre with 148kW at 7800 revs paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Pricing won’t be announced until mid-year.