CIVIC

Honda began selling the 1169 cc (70 in³) transversely mounted inline four-cylinder Civic for about US$2,200 (AU$2,804). The car produced roughly 50 hp (37 kW) and included power front disc brakes, vinyl seating, reclining bucket seats and a woodgrain-accented dashboard. The hatchback version added a fold-down rear seat, an AM radio and cloth upholstery. Options for the Civic were kept to a minimum, consisting of air conditioning, an automatic transmission, called the Hondamatic, radial tires and a rear wiper for the hatchback. The car could achieve 40 mpg (6 L/100 km) on the highway and with a small 86.6 inch (220 cm) wheelbase and 139.8 inch (355 cm) overall length the vehicle weighed 1,500 pounds (680 kg). The car had four-wheel independent suspension and a four speed manual transmission or the Hondamatic.

The Civic's features allowed this "econobox" to outperform American competitors such as the Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto. When the 1973 oil crisis struck, many Americans turned to economy cars. Reviews of American economy car quality were poor, and getting worse due to spiraling costs for manufacturers. Japanese culture had a long-standing tradition of demanding high-quality economy cars, and the growing American desire in the 1970s for well-made cars that had good fuel mileage benefited the standing of Honda, Toyota, and Datsun in the lucrative U.S. market.[citation needed]

For 1974, the Civic's engine size grew slightly, to 1237 cc and power went up to 52 hp (39 kW). In order to meet the new 5 mph (8 km/h) bumper impact standard, the Civic's bumpers grew, making its overall length increase to 146.9 inches (373 cm), 7.1 inches (18 cm) more.[1]

The CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine debuted in 1975 and was offered alongside the standard Civic engine. The optional 53 hp (40 kW) CVCC engine displaced 1488 cc and had a head design that promoted cleaner, more efficient combustion. The CVCC design eliminated a need for a catalytic converter or unleaded fuel to meet emissions standards (nearly every other U.S. market car for this year underwent the change to exhaust catalysts and the requirement to use only unleaded fuel). Due to California's stricter emissions standards, only the CVCC powered Civic was available in that state. A five-speed manual transmission became available this year, as did a Civic station wagon (only with the CVCC engine), which had a wheelbase of 89.9 inches (228 cm) and an overall length of 160 inches (406 cm). Civic sales also increased and topped 100,000 units for this year.[1]

1978 brought slight cosmetic changes, some changes were as a black grille, rear-facing hood vents (which replaced the sideways versions) and new turn indicators. The easiest way to recognise a 1978 model from an earlier example is to look at the front turn indicators: prior to 1978, they looked like foglights mounted in the Civic's grille, whereas in 1978 they were smaller rectangular shaped ones and were mounted within the bumper bar. The CVCC engine was now rated at 60 hp (45 kW).[1]



The 1980 Civic debuted with a more angular shape, increased engine power, and larger dimensions in all models. The wheelbase now measured 88.6 inches (225 cm) for the hatchback (the two-door "sedan" was dropped) and 91.3 inches (232 cm) for the wagon. All Civic engines now used the CVCC design; the base 1335 cc ("1300") engine made 55 hp (41 kW), while the 1488 cc ("1500") engine produced 67 hp (50 kW). Three transmissions were offered: a four-speed manual (on base models), a five-speed manual and a two-speed automatic.[1]

The Civic 1300 and 1500 came in base and DX versions, and the latter featured a five-speed manual transmission, partial cloth seats, carpet, rear window defroster, intermittent wipers and a cigar lighter. The 1500 GL added radial tires, a rear window wiper/washer, tachometer, clock and bodyside moldings. The Civic wagon came in a single version that was similar to the DX trim level.[1]

In 1980 a "3-box" four-door sedan debuted, as did a three-speed automatic transmission that replaced the aging two-speed unit. Rectangular headlamps and black bumpers appeared on the 1982 Civic. A new gas-sipping model, the five-speed "FE" (Fuel Economy) was introduced and was rated at 41 mpg (5.7 l/100 km) in the city and 55 mpg (4.3 l/100 km) on the highway.[1]

The sport-oriented Civic "S" was introduced and replaced the 1500 GL in 1983 and was fitted with firmer suspension (with rear stabilizer bar) and 165/70R13 Michelin tires. A red accent encircled the S and set it apart from other Civics as well as a black grille and blackout paint around the windowframes.[1]


[edit] Third generation (1984-1987)
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Third generation
(E-AT)
European-spec third generation Honda Civic Shuttle (wagon)
Production 1984-1987
Assembly Suzuka, Japan
Alliston, Ontario, Canada
Shin-Jyu, Taiwan, Republic of China, Republic of China
Body style(s) 3-door hatchback
3-door coupe (CRX)
4-door sedan
5-door station wagon (Shuttle)
Layout Front engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Engine(s) 1.5 L I4
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
3-speed Hondamatic automatic
Wheelbase 94 in (239 cm)
Length 150 in (381 cm)
Width 64 in (162 cm)
Height 53 in (135 cm)
Related Triumph Acclaim
Rover 200
Honda CRX
Honda Ballade
Honda/Acura Integra

For the third generation, the vehicle wheelbase was increased by 2-5 inches (13 cm) to 93.7 inches (hatchback) or 96.5 inches (sedan). A 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, 4-door "Shuttle" wagon, and CRX coupe shared common underpinings. This included independent front control arms with torsion bar springs and a semi-independent rear beam with coil springs. However, the body panels were completely different for each bodystyle, with nothing interchangeable beyond the front bumper and headlights.

The sedan and hatchback shared the same dashboard, but the CRX and wagons both had their own unique dash (CRX having a covered cubby in the middle of the dash, the wagon having a pop up set of vents which could be used or retracted into the dash). A new 12-valve (three valves per cylinder) 76 hp, 1500 cc engine was introduced. The base hatchback and CRX 1.3 used the 1300 cc 8-valve engine giving 60 hp (45 kW). The DX and 1500S model hatchbacks shared the new 1500 cc engine with the sedan, wagon and CRX 1.5. The 1500S model achieved over 50 mpg highway. The CRX was a Civic with a slightly different body; it was strictly a 2-seater in the US with a lockable storage compartment, while it was offered to the rest of the world with a rear seat. The CRX lineup added the Si model in 1985 which used Honda's PGM-FI fuel injection on the 1488cc 4 cylinder; in the US this generated 91 horsepower. The Si model added an intricately designed rear wiper, rear spoiler, power sunroof and 4 spoke alloy wheels.The wagon was available in front-wheel drive; in 1985 a part-time four-wheel drive, operated by a push button on the dash, became available.[citation needed] The CRX HF joined the model lineup, replacing the original CRX 1.3. Used a CVCC head equipped EW series 1.5 liter engine. In 1986, the Civic got flush-mounted headlights. The CRX Si was visually altered by body colored bumpers, new alloy wheels and a body colored rubber spoiler-now mounted on the back of the hatch as opposed to the top portion of the hatch. Also in 1986 an Si version of the Civic hatchback was introduced, featuring a pop-up glass sunroof, body colored bumpers and sedan-style disk wheel covers. This model came with the 1.5 L 12 valve fuel-injected engine from the CRX Si, generating 91 hp, and manual five-speed gearbox. In 1987, the four-wheel drive system on the wagon was changed; a new Real-Time four-wheel drive system featured an automatic viscous coupling that shifted power to the rear wheels automatically when needed. Real Time 4WD models are recognizable by the charcoal grey center covers, covering the lug nuts which were exposed on FWD models.[citation needed] In Europe the Sedan model was marketed as the Rover 213/216 and the Honda Ballade.

For 1988, the car's wheelbase was increased to 98.4 inches (250 cm). The body was redesigned with a lower hood line and more glass, giving less drag. The model range was fairly limited for the US, whereas the European and Japanese markets had a wider range. A 1500 cc 16-valve fuel injected engine giving 92 hp (68 kW) was used in the DX hatchback and sedan[citation needed], new LX sedan and the American market wagon. The Si and four-wheel drive wagons were powered by a 1.6 L 16-valve engine, rated at 108 hp (81 kW). The base hatchback had a 70 hp (52 kW) version of the same 8-valve engine. All engines sold in the US were fuel injected. Carbureted models were available elsewhere. All Civics had a double-wishbone suspension. In 1990, the EX trim was introduced. Four-wheel drive wagons had standard steel wheels (white steel wheels with matching center caps were optional), a 6-speed manual transmission (with a super-low gear left of first) or an optional 4-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive was also available on the sedan in some markets.[citation needed]

The base model of the 4th generation Civic had a 1.2 L SOHC, this single carbureted engine was not available for the European and American market. For Europe the base model was the 1.3 Luxe (23L and 23U for the Japanese market) 1.3 L SOHC single carbureted engine. Next engine was the 1.4 L which was not available in the USA and Japan.[citation needed] It was a 1.4 L SOHC dual carbureted engine that was available only in 1988 and 1989; (replaced by the 1.5i GL and GLX in 1990).

The 1.5 L SOHC engine came in a wide variety of models, dual-point injection, single carbureted and dual carbureted. Those engines were available in the JDM 25X and 25XT, USDM DX and the USDM STD model (USDM base model), EDM 1.5i GL and GLX (the only difference between EDM GL and GLX is a different standard equipment and a different FDR). The LX model offered over the base and DX models such accoutrements as power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and cruise control.

Next in line was the 1.6 L SOHC. Simply 1.6i for the European market and Si for the American market (US top model). (not to be confused with the JDM Si, which is a 1.6 L DOHC) Second highest model was the USDM Si. It was equipped with a 1.6 L DOHC (ZC) engine and delivered 130 hp. The EDM 1.6i GT and 1.6i-16 (depends on country) had a ZC like 1.6 L DOHC engine and had a stock 124 hp (D16Z5) or 130 hp (D16A9). All DOHC engines are equipped with Honda's multi-point fuel injection system (although there seems to have been a 1.6 L DOHC non-VTEC with dual carburetors for the 4th generation).

Top model of the hatchback was the Japanese SiR with the 160 hp B16A engine. In Europe the SiR was called 1.6i-VT and had a similar B16A1 engine. These top models of the 4th generation Civic were one of the first Honda's that were equipped with the famous VTEC system (the NSX was the first, the JDM 1990 and 1991 Integra XSi and RSi also had a B16A). See the VTEC section for more info on the SiR and 1.6i-VT.

In 1990 the 4th generation Civic had a light facelift. Some things that changed were the front bumper design, the front corner lights no longer had the two screws on the outside, the gauge cluster cover shape slightly changed, tail light units design changed, and some USDM Civics received automatic seat belts. The seat pans and rails changed also, as well as the seats.