Honda Civic i-DTEC to get automatic transmission for the first time

KUALA LUMPUR: Honda, for the first time, is offering a 9-speed automatic transmission mated to its diesel engine on the Civic 1.6-litre for the European market. The company claims that the refinement arranged to its shifting mechanism has done wonders to the car’s fuel economy. The car now returns a remarkable fuel economy of 24.4 kmpl as per the latest NEDC test.

According to the company, the 9-speed auto torque converter is highly efficient and it plays different roles quite convincingly. Its low first-gear ratio ensures that the launch is extremely powerful yet smooth while the high top-gear ratio provides low speed to the engine for ultimate cruising. This collectively results in a reduced fuel consumption and noise.

Additionally, the transmission is capable of skipping gears to match with the throttle application and engine speed. This means that the gears can be automatically shifted down directly from 9th to 5th or from 7th to 4th and more.

The turbo fitted in the car gets a variable-nozzle design, which is more efficient than before and is precisely controlled by the electronics inside. Thus making it a high-performing machine - reduced lag and adequate low to mid-range pull and high-speed performance.

Moreover, the diesel engine comes equipped with a new NOx Storage Converter (NSC) with higher processing capabilities that help in reducing emissions. Additionally, the i-DTEC engine has been tested through the Real Driving Emission (RDE) for particulate emission levels and NOx.

In Europe, the Honda Civic hatchback is available in two turbo petrol engines and one diesel engine. The petrol options include a 1.0-litre three-cylinder and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, mated to either 6-speed manual or a CVT gearbox. The 1.6-litre i-DTEC is a diesel variant that churns out a max power of 120 PS and a peak torque of 300 Nm at 4,000rpm and 2,000rpm respectively. It is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and can clock 0-100 kmph in just 11 seconds. It sports a top speed of 200 kmph.