28 March 2002: The Honda Civic range will soon be broadened by the availability of a diesel engine, a new 1.7-litre 100 PS common-rail, direct-injection turbodiesel. The new models allow Honda to take advantage of the increasing demand for diesel power across Europe.

The Civic 5 door CTDi achieves a top speed of 112 mph, is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in 11.5 seconds, with combined cycle fuel consumption is 56.5 mpg.

Honda has also improved some interior trim details of the Civic range. Latest 5-door models now share the smaller diameter, thicker rim steering wheel, silver door handles and black fascia of the 3-door, while the SE-spec 5 door gains a softer, woven pattern seat trim which again matches that of the 3-door.

Both 3 and 5 door Civics now have a matt silver dash centre panel which lends the interior a more fashionable and lighter air.


The increasing popularity of diesel within the Western European C-segment reflects the same trend being shown across the car market generally. Diesel sales accounted for one third of all C-segment 3 door sales during 2000, compared with just a fifth during 1997, for example.

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