Top fleet performance and lower emissions?
 Honda’s new diesel delivers both

Honda’s new class-leading, tax-busting 1.6 i-DTEC Civic

• Class-leading combination of fuel economy and performance – emitting only 94 g/km of CO2 with a powerful 120PS

• Outstanding 78.5 mpg on the combined cycle

• A ‘no compromise’ car for the corporate market

• Developed exclusively for Europe and built in the UK

• Prices start from just £19,400

An exciting new chapter in the history of Honda diesel power has begun with the arrival of the brand’s hotly anticipated 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine in the 2013 Civic. The first engine to be launched in Europe under Honda’s flagship Earth Dreams ‘green’ technology umbrella, the Civic offers an outstanding balance of high fuel economy, low emissions and exciting performance.

The all-new powerplant has been developed exclusively for Europe, and tested extensively on a variety of roads across the continent. As with the Civic itself, the engine has been built at Honda’s state-of-the-art factory in Swindon.

This new engine catapults the Civic into the competitive corporate market, offering a ‘no compromise’ vehicle for the corporate customer. With a class-leading combination of fuel economy and performance, the new fuel-sipping Civic 1.6 i-DTEC keeps running costs low by emitting only 94 g/km – meaning free road tax – and with 78.5mpg on the combined cycle, it’s longer between fill ups. Combine this with a pokey 120 PS to maintain driver enjoyment and Honda’s acknowledged reputation for reliability, and you’ve got a car that’s expected to catch the eye of company car fleet managers and user choosers alike.

Honda’s advanced i-DTEC diesel technology has already proved its environmental credentials over a number of years. It went on sale in the UK in 2.2-litre guise in the refined Accord Saloon/Tourer in 2008 and the award-winning CR-V sports utility vehicle in 2010.

Standing up to customer scrutiny
So it all looks good on paper, but what’s the new Civic like in the real world? Can you have the best of both worlds, with a fleet of diesels that perform well financially and keep drivers happy at the same time? Well, the initial customer reviews seem to indicate that you can.

Over 440 of the car’s 1400+ reviews (on the Honda site) reward the new diesel with the full five stars. And almost 95% of customers give it four or more. Honda’s new Civic certainly seems to satisfying the heads and hearts of anyone who drives it.

The beauty is not just under the bonnet
You might be excused at this moment for thinking the only string to this car’s bow is under the hood. Step inside and you’ll soon realise that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The executive styling evident on the outside extends right through the cabin. From the rather cool wraparound dashboard to little finishing touches like the stitching in the leather seats, it all feels and looks the part. The other thing you’ll notice is the excellent level of sound insulation, dramatically reducing road noise and adding to the luxury-saloon feel of the interior.

It comes with a surprising number of extras as standard too. From the 16” alloy wheels, front and rear power windows and halogen headlights, to the climate control air conditioning, heated door mirrors and idle stop (on the 6-speed manual), it’s an impressive list.

Every model comes with a USB port – extremely handy for charging your company smartphone or tablet – while the CD player and radio tuner (DAB in the top grades) will also play your MP3 music collection. The steering wheel-mounted audio controls are just the icing on the cake. (Built-in touch screen sat-nav with integrated Bluetooth hands-free telephone system is available as an add-on.)

The obligatory Honda Magic Seats make an appearance as well: specifically redesigned for the new Civic, these flip-up-fold-down seats make the interior space extremely flexible. With the rear seats folded completely flat, the storage space in the back resembles a small van – very useful if you occasionally need to transport bulky items.

You’ll also find the standard safety features in this car are first-rate. On top of today’s customary ABS, LED daytime running lights and airbags, you get electronic brake-force distribution, vehicle stability assist and brake assist, straight out of the box. Some of the higher-grade models include a rear-view parking camera, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers and cruise control with a speed limiter.

From the outside, it’s a good-looking car. The occasionally controversial rear spoiler is lower on this model (providing you with improved visibility out the back) and appears to be smoothly emerging from the bodywork. Bold statements, like this spoiler and other sweeping curves, feature throughout the design.

All those positives don’t add up to an expensive price-tag
The Civic 1.6 i-DTEC 6-speed manual comes in at a very competitive £19,400 for the entry-level SE grade. Even the top-of-the-range EX comes with all your executive comforts, including touch screen sat-nav, parking sensors, full leather upholstery and heated front seats, for just £23,175.

It seems Honda has raised the enviro-performance bar for the entire diesel class. Fingers crossed more manufacturers decide to follow in their – smaller carbon – footprints.

Tetsuya Miyake, Project Leader for the 1.6 litre i-DTEC lays down the gauntlet: “This is a new approach from the ground up. There were no benchmarks for us because those targets would have been too low. We were determined to establish a benchmark of our own that our competitors would have to follow.”

You can read the Civic diesel customer reviews here.