By Nick Syn
From CarBuyer, Issue 58

FOR ALL THE talk about Honda booting the eighth-generation model of its popular Civic sedan up into the lofty environs of the Cat B segment of the market, the nagging feeling remained that there was no reason why Honda couldn't have added a 1.6-litre model to the line-up in the first place.

Other manufacturers like BMW for example, do prefer to launch cars with the largest and most powerful engine variants first, with the weenier models following later. The rationale being that flagship engines better showcase a particular model's dynamic abilities.

Honda could've been seen to have adopted the same sort of posture with regards to the local Civic launch, but giving its rivals a false sense of security by seemingly vacating the Cat A segment would've been a big, added bonus.

Surprisingly, this new 1.6-litre variant is exclusive to the Singapore market. Local distributor, Kah Motor, actually footed the bill for its development, wisely taking into account the psychological benefits that a 1.6-litre engine poses for cost-conscious buyers.

From the outside, it's pretty difficult to tell the 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre versions apart unless you know what to look for. The 1.6-litre model doesn't get HID headlamps, and fog lights, which are pretty subtle cues. The alloy wheels are fitted locally, but you'd have to be a serious anorak to tell.

Equipment levels are also down compared with the 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre models, there are no satellite radio controls and gearshift paddles on the steering wheel, and you get a locally-fitted stereo instead of the neater factory-fit item, but all that's to be expected.

Anyway all the important stuff is present and accounted for. You get leather upholstery, the talking-point 'multiplex' dashboard with its cool graphics, and one of the best made cabins in any car on sale today, let alone in this price range.

As mentioned above, engines are Honda's forte and the 1.6-litre lump in the Civic is an excellent example of that expertise. It's actually very similar to the 1.8-litre, and features that unit's Single Overhead Camshaft layout, as well as Honda's i-VTEC variable valve timing technology.

The 1.6-litre unit is smooth and quiet, and not as lacking in grunt as you might think, in fact off-the-line performance is nearly indistinguishable from the 1.8-litre. The new 1.6-litre engine develops 125bhp, and 151Nm of torque, figures that are not too far off the 1.8-litre version's 147bhp and 174Nm. The 1.6-litre unit is also mated to the same, slick-shifting five-speed automatic as the other two Civic variants.

The car weighs just eight kilogrammes less than its 1.8-litre sibling, but this does seem to palpably translate to a more light-footed feel to the proceedings. The 1.6-litre unit is more frugal with petrol, too, with Honda claiming better fuel consumption over your average 1.5-litre engine. Add the potential fuel savings to the attractive $70,500 with COE list price and you get a very compelling proposition.

On the move, you get none of the impression that you've bought the limpest entry-level model in the range, as is the case with products from other manufacturers. The Civic tracks faithfully, responding to all your steering inputs with the usual impressive alacrity, and the ride is great.

The only thing you might miss is the tiny bit of extra mid-range urge afforded by the 1.8-litre engine, which helps make overtaking manoeuvres that much easier. Pick your moments with a bit more care, though, and this shouldn't be a problem at all.

NEED TO KNOW
Model : Honda Civic 1.6
Engine : 1,595cc 16v in-line 4
Max Power : 125bhp at 6,500rpm
Max Torque : 151Nm at 4,200rpm
Gearbox : 5-speed automatic
Top Speed : 192km/h
0-100km/h : 10.5 second
Price : $70,500 with COE
Warranty : 3 years / 100,000km
Contact : Kah Motor
Telephone : 6840-6888

SIMILAR CARS WE HAVE DRIVEN
NISSAN SYLPHY 1.5 (A) $67,300 WITH COE
The Sylphy's biggest strength, quite literally, is the sheer size of its well-appointed cabin. Refinement is great, too.