Press Release: HONDA SHOWCASES NEW SMALL CONCEPT AT AUTO EXPO 2010 IN NEW DELHI – Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. (HCSI) has unveiled a New Small Concept at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi today, along with plans to begin sales of a new model based on this concept in 2011.

To create a highly efficient compact car with seating for five people, designers have used a wide platform offering a stable centre of gravity. Its stylish design has been dubbed an “Efficient Energetic Exterior” with ‘forward bumpers’ that give the Concept significant road presence despite its size.

Honda is planning to introduce a new model based on the Honda New Small Concept in India and Thailand next year. The aim is to provide a new small-sized vehicle that is beyond the expectations of customers in rapidly growing markets – offering the car at an affordable price by leveraging Honda’s global parts sourcing network.

A high-spec new variant of the Honda Civic 5-door goes on sale from September, giving the popular British-built hatchback even sportier looks. The new Si grade will be available across the entire 5-door Civic range, in all engine variants and transmissions. The 1.4-litre Si model will wear Graphite colored 16-inch alloy wheels while higher-powered 1.8 petrol and 2.2 diesel Si Civics will sit on 17-inch Graphite colored alloy rims.

All Si variants will have color-coded bumpers, front fog lights, a Type R-style mesh front grille and dark chrome door handles and fuel cap – like that on the Championship White Type R. Inside Si models will get half leather upholstery to continue the sports theme, plus a USB port for iPod connectivity. The Si has been designed to appeal to the Civic’s increasingly youthful customer and those who want sporty looks with the practicality of a 5-door. And because the Si grade is available across the Civic 5-door range, those on a smaller budget can also enjoy the Si’s distinct looks.

The Civic Si 1.4-litre i-VTEC will go on sale later this year (date to be confirmed), followed by the Civic Si 1.8-litre i-VTEC and Civic Si 2.2-litre i-CTDi. Three metallic exterior paint colors are available on the new grade: Alabaster Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Deep Sapphire Blue Pearl, plus Milano Red as standard.

Pricing

Si grades are priced at £850 RRP over the SE grade

• Civic Si 1.4 i-VTEC Manual – £15,800 OTR

• Civic Si 1.4 i-VTEC i-SHIFT – £16,600 OTR

• Civic Si 1.8 i-VTEC Manual – £16,835 OTR

• Civic Si 1.8 i-VTEC Automatic – £18,160 OTR

• Civic Si 2.2 i-CTDi Manual – £18,305 OTR

The Civic Si 1.4-litre manual delivers good fuel economy of 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 135g/km. When paired with the i-SHIFT transmission it delivers improved fuel economy of 49.6mpg and reduced CO2 emissions of 132g/km. Meanwhile, the Civic Si 1.8-litre manual has CO2 emissions of 155g/km and fuel economy of 42.2mpg. All 1.8-litre engine Civic 5 door models are available with a classic automatic ‘box that was introduced early this year, and in Si guise will deliver 169g/km and 38.7mpg respectively. The Civic Si 2.2-litre (manual) achieves CO2 emissions of 139g/km and fuel economy of 53.3mpg.

(via: Honda PR)