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Driven: European Spec 2012 Honda Civic

01.12.11

: This is Honda’s take on a world car but, unlike the Ford Focus , for instance, which is a universal product, Honda prefers to tailor cars individually for each market. So, the UK and Europe get hatchback models – currently only a five-door, but it’s likely to be joined by a three-door further down the line – while the US Civic comes as a coupe or four-door with their own design language.

The UK-European Civic was a pretty radical piece of design when it debuted six years ago, so it has only been tinkered with around the edges. Its most drastic change is the wrap-round rear spoiler and high-level brake light that spans the rear window; the latter has been made deeper so shorter drivers have a better view out the back window.

Aerodynamics have played a big role in the car’s design, with specialists who worked on Honda’s abortive F1 effort contributing their knowledge and expertise to the car’s design. What can’t be seen is the full length underbody paneling designed to ease airflow, while the diesel model has small vertical strakes on the rear quarters that help to keep the air attached to the car and at the same time knock 1 g/km CO2 off the diesel model’s fuel consumption. In total it’s reckoned the car is 30% more slippery than the old model. The diesel also gets active grille shutters that open and close automatically to further improve aerodynamic efficiency.

Source: RoadandTrack.com (blog)