Honda Cars PH launches 2.0-liter Civic, other 1.8-liter variants

Now that operations at Honda's manufacturing facility in Thailand are back to normal, Honda Cars Philippines has brought in the full lineup of the all-new Civic, most notably including the 2.0-liter Civic EL variant. In February, HCPI launched the 1.8-liter EXI variant sourced directly from Japan. At a simple press event held today at Honda Cars Global City, the company officially unveiled the rest of the Civic lineup assembled and imported from Thailand.

Those variants are the 2.0-liter EL, the 1.8-liter E, and the 1.8-liter S. HCPI is just running out its stock of the Japan-made 1.8-liter EXI, which HCPI calls the "special-edition Civic"; Thailand won't make a similar variant, according to HCPI public relations head Mitch Malto.

You already know that the 1.8-liter engine is rated at 139hp and 174Nm of torque. The bigger 2.0-liter powerplant found under the hood of the Civic EL produces 153hp and 190Nm of torque.

For your quick reference, here are the unique features for each of the new variants from Thailand:

* 2.0 EL - five-speed AT with paddle shifters; 17-inch aluminum wheels; projector-type HID headlamps; fog lights; black leather seats; and Brilliant White paint job.

* 1.8 E - five-speed AT with paddle shifters; 16-inch aluminum wheels; projector-type halogen headlamps; and gray fabric seats.

* 1.8 S - five-speed AT or five-speed MT; 15-inch aluminum wheels; projector-type halogen headlamps; and gray fabric seats.

All variants come with the Econ button as well as the Intelligent Multi-Information Display.

Available colors are Urban Titanium, Carnelian Red, Crystal Black, Taffeta White (for 1.8 E and 1.8 S variants), Brilliant White (for 2.0 EL variant only), Frosty White (for 1.8 E variant only), and Alabaster Silver (for 1.8 S variant only).

The prices? The 1.8 S MT goes for P908,000; 1.8 S AT, P948,000; 1.8 E AT, P1,008,000; and 2.0 EL AT, P1,145,000 (additional P20,000 for Brilliant White color). The Japan-sourced 1.8 EXI AT still sells for P1,074,000.

"The all-new Civic has been well-received and has sold more than 1,200 units to date," said HCPI president and general manager Tatsuya Natsume. "Our factory in Thailand is fully operational with production in full swing. This enabled us to finally launch the full lineup of the all-new Civic. With the availability of a full variant lineup, new Civic buyers will have more options in their choice of features and prices."