Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC: the long-awaited diesel version arrives to repeat success

The new Honda Civic will be available with the renewed 1.6 i-DTEC engine starting next March.

The Honda Civic is a different car, a model with a truly daring design that breaks away from the conservatism of some of its rivals in the C-segment (Focus, A3, Golf…). The new Civic is also a benchmark in its class when it comes to driving dynamics, which makes it a truly interesting option for the most enthusiastic drivers. Until now, the new Civic was offered in two petrol versions, but now the new 1.6 i-DTEC engine joins the range, a unit that in the previous Civic already became one of the best diesel engines in the C-segment, and which now returns to repeat its success after a major overhaul.

The new Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC will go on sale in March 2018. It will initially arrive with a five-door body, but from June the saloon version will also be available. The diesel version of the new Civic starts at €23,550 without discounts or promotions.

The thorough revision of the 1.6 i-DTEC engine

Honda has thoroughly revised its 120 CV 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine, and the feeling is that the changes have served to enhance the great virtues this engine already had in the previous generation of the Civic. The powerplant delivers a smooth and progressive response across most of the rev range. But let’s look in more detail at the performance this powerplant offers.

The i-DTEC diesel engine has four cylinders and delivers a power output of 120 CV (the same as its predecessor) at 4,000 rpm, with a peak torque of 300 Nm at 2,000 rpm. Its 0 to 100 km/h acceleration is 10.5 seconds. CO2 emissions are just 91 g/km (Civic Saloon) and 93 g/km (Civic 5-door). Fuel consumption stands at 3.4 l/100 km (Saloon) and 3.5 l/100 km (5-door).

If we look only at the power figure (120 CV) and torque (300 Nm), we might think nothing has changed in this diesel engine, but the reality is very different. The engineers at Honda have made multiple changes to this engine, starting with a reduction in internal friction, a correction of mechanical inefficiencies, a redesigned turbo (whose lag has been reduced), and ending with an improved catalytic system to comply with demanding emissions regulations; something achieved without increasing consumption. The result of these changes is an engine that is more efficient and smoother than its predecessor.

In addition, the i-DTEC engine is lighter than before thanks to the use of aluminium in certain areas of the engine. Steel has also been used to reinforce the cooling system and improve its insulation, which translates into greater thermal and mechanical efficiency.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackHonda Civic3 versions · from 36,300 €