Engines/transmission
Only a 1.7-litre 4-cylinder SOHC engine is available and this is a brand new engine. The odd capacity (1668 cc, with a bore of 75 mm and a stroke of 94.4 mm) was said to be chosen after studies into the best engine size for a car in this class. In designing this engine, the engineers aimed for compactness and lightness while enhancing drivability.
The engines come in two variations and both have four valves per cylinder and Honda’s own PGM-FI electronic fuel injection system. However, for the Civic VTi, there is also Honda’s VTEC mechanism which makes it possible to close off one intake valve during low and medium rpm for better fuel economy. Furthermore, when in this ‘12-valve’ configuration, torque is also better for added responsiveness. However, when the driver indulges in harder driving, both intake valves open and more air-fuel mixture can be introduced to meet increased demands.
The power outputs are impressive although it should be remembered that these are not 1.6-litre units. On a compression ration of 9.9:1, the VTEC engine delivers 96 kW (130 ps) of power at 6300 rpm at the front wheels. This means that actual engine output would be higher but the point was clarified by the engineer involved in the Civic development, who said that this is the way the industry now presents such specifications. Torque peaks at 4800 rpm with a maximum of 155 Nm. For the non-VTEC engine, the power output is 88 kW/120 ps at 620 rpm with 150 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm.
Only automatic transmission is available and the electronically-controlled transmission installed is an ‘intelligent’ unit like that in the CR-V. It has ‘Grade Logic Control’ which reduces gear changing on uphill and downhill drives. At the same time, the system also helps to give some engine braking on downhill drives by not shifting into top gear right away and instead maintaining a lower gear. Like all modern automatics, the transmission also has a lock-up clutch which activates during cruising. This creates a mechanical link instead of the power-robbing hydraulic link, reducing fuel consumption.
