Honda 'Sexes Up' Civic For 2004
Published: 4th September 2003
The exciting and iconic Civic Type-R doesn’t go unchanged and new for 2004 are a lighter flywheel and clutch assembly. Reducing inertia makes the engine more responsive and coincidentally shaves 0.2 secs off the 0-62 mph time (now 6.6 sec). There are also new brake callipers that incorporate the Type-R logo for added exclusivity.
Door mirror-mounted indicators, a front spoiler similar to that on Sport models, a front grille unique to Type-R, and three light blue projector style headlamps complete the picture. Inside, there are now red seat inserts and door panels, as well as red headrest aperture, to further emphasise the car’s out and out sporty nature.
The Type R benefits considerably from the NVH (noise vibration and harshness) tuning applied to the whole range.
Sales of the 2004 Civic Type-R begin in February 2004.
New Type S with VSA
A new top-of-the-range Civic 5 door model will be available from April 2004. As the name suggests, this 2.0 litre i-VTEC engined sports model incorporates Vehicle Stability Assist, and is designed to counteract understeer and oversteer tendencies through a combination of individual wheel braking and engine torque reduction. The Teves supplied system also incorporates a Drive By Wire (DBW) throttle and Traction Control.
The VSA model has several other dynamic attributes. These include a close ratio gearbox with 6% "shorter" fourth and fifth ratios to benefit acceleration, bigger (16 in) alloy wheels shod with 205/55-Series tyres and correspondingly bigger ventilated front brake discs.
Safety and Environment
When the current Civic range was first launched, it set new standards with its ability to combine excellent occupant protection with an unprecedented level of pedestrian safety. Specifically it combined a 4 star Euro NCAP occupant safety rating with a 3 star pedestrian result – a feat which even now, only one other manufacturer has been able to emulate.
Whether petrol or diesel-powered, the Civic continues to set the
standard for low fuel consumption (= low CO2 emissions) by which
other compact hatchbacks are judged.
