Honda Civic review - engine and transmission |
Let me start with the bare basics, this engine displaces 1800cc and with four cylinders and PGM-FI; is able to pump out 132PS of power @ 6300rpm and 17.5 Kg-m of torque @ 4300 rpm. Its quite a number this engine. The power low down could be a bit disappointing; and the clutch which needs a little bit of getting used to could make to keep the engine pumping up at slightly higher revs than you need. But, the party piece of this car isn't the low down. It's not the top end of the rev-band neither. Its the mid range and frankly that's all you'll care about in this car. startling response in the mid range will have you pulling away from traffic in any gear, so long as you keep the motor ticking at around 4000rpm.
This vehicle has i-Vtec technology which is a bit more advanced than the Vtec found on the Honda City Vtec. This gets even cleverer in the way it manages the way fuel is consumed. By adjusting the play and the timing of the valves and the ignition depending in load and other variables including driver inputs and engine speeds. Result, excellent mileage and response. There is one thing though, the snarl could be a bit annoying to the a luxury car seeker, but music to the enthusiast's ears. So, keep the revs low when you drive around with your mum.
The transmission is the only available option on the Civic, with all other features remaining same on both models. The civic comes either with a Synchromesh gearbox of 5 speeds or a 5-speed AT with Paddle Shift, Grade Logic Control & Shift Lock. The manual gearbox is typically Honda, Excellent as usual; short play and positive shifting. The clutch though needed a little bit of getting used to; somewhat similar to the Aveo I thought.
I drove both the manual and the auto box cars with 5 speed gears and grade logic technology and shift lock; My, what technology these cars come with. Its quite complicated, the pieces inside the engine, but the gearbox; its something else. It seems to have a brain to match or even outdo your own. It is able to sense your driving style and decide on the require gear, based on throttle position and the speed at which you depress your right foot. Further, if you are going up an incline, it will not shift up; it holds the same gear so that it need not shift up and down and up again. More interestingly, while going downhill, it doesn't up shift when your speed increases, it down shift to slow you down and keep the speed steady.
Perhaps it is worthwhile spending the extra Rs.70,000 on the auto box, it comes with paddle shift technology that allows you to take complete control of the gearbox by shifting to the S-Mode on the gear lever and it'll have you feeling like a formula one driver in no time at all. One thing though, if you are going to take sharp corners; you just might lose track of where the paddles are!! Honest. One grime is that the paddle shift gearbox has a bit of lag. Gearchanges, although smooth do take a little bit of time; and the revs rise when you shift up just before dropping off again in order to minimise drive shunt. The problem arises when you might be in a mood for some drive shunt, to give you a push in the back with every change.
Review of the Design and styling and the Ride, Handling and verdict |
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