Frankfurt show: Honda teases civilised Civic hatch

HONDA’S third of five technical teaser videos and related images for the 2012 Civic hatchback focuses on improvements made to the car’s quietness and refinement ahead of its public world debut in Frankfurt on September 13.

Like the previous two teasers, Honda issued a video showing the disguised car under testing, with commentary from the engineers involved.

Honda says its development team combined several techniques to reduce NVH (noise vibration and harshness) levels and “worked hard to sharpen every detail of the design, build and aerodynamics” of the ninth-generation Civic hatch, including time spent testing in Europe to match the car to varying road conditions.

Use of an echo-free chamber at Honda’s research and development centre in Swindon, England, helped engineers improve the Civic’s roof lining and the company tapped into people with Formula One experience to hone the car’s aerodynamics to reduce wind noise while simultaneously improving performance and fuel efficiency.

The Civic’s i-VTEC engine was also modified to improve refinement, with the use of weight- and friction-reducing internal components and alterations made to the injection system.

Speaking in the video, Honda chassis development leader Kazuo Sunaoshi reveals that his biggest challenge was to equal the noise and vibration levels of the Civic’s European competitors. “I am proud to say that we have achieved our goals,” he said.

As GoAuto has reported, the previous two Civic hatch teaser videos covered improvements to the new car’s ride and handling and the reduced emissions and increased performance of its diesel engine.

The 2012 Civic hatch will go into production at Honda UK’s Swindon plant later this year before hitting British showrooms early next year and elsewhere in the world – including Australia – soon afterwards.

Its global debut at the Frankfurt show follows unveilings of the latest Civic in sedan and coupe forms at the Detroit motor show in January (as prototypes) and New York motor show in April (in production form).