Exclusive: Honda Civic To Not Get 1.5-Litre Turbo Petrol

Update: The Honda Civic has been launched, priced from Rs 17.70 lakh to Rs 22.30 lakh, ex-showroom pan-India.

Honda’s re-entry into the D-segment has been in the works for quite a while now. The Civic shot to fame almost instantly in India thanks to its futuristic design and the plethora of tech that was on offer back in 2007. Fast forward eleven years and the sedan is all set to make a splash once again.

But, here’s the kicker. The new Civic will not get the much awaited 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. This engine isn't manufactured in India and would push the price tag higher up. However, it is available in other markets, where it comes paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT. It makes 173PS of power and 220Nm of torque, which puts it in the same league as the Octavia 1.8 TSi.

Instead, when launched, the Honda Civic could feature a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol motor. This motor makes a respectable 141PS of power and 174Nm of torque, which is 32PS and 46Nm less compared to the 1.5-litre turbo. That said, it’s on par with rivals such as the Hyundai Elantra that makes 152PS/192Nm, and the Toyota Corolla Altis that develops 140PS/173Nm. Honda is confident of upgrading its petrol engines to meet BSVI norms and the soon to be introduced  CR-V with its 2.0-litre petrol is one such example.

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

For now, the Honda is focusing on re-introducing the CR-V in a new avatar. The Civic is definitely on the agenda for India, and as Honda confirmed at the 2018 Auto Expo, it will be launched before April 2019. We’re expecting the Honda Civic to be priced at a slight premium compared to other offerings in the segment. Prices are likely to start at Rs 17.5 lakh and go up to Rs 20 lakh. What’s your take on the new Civic? Login, and let us know your thoughts by typing in the comment section below.