All-New Honda Civic RS combines heritage and technology in an attractive, well-rounded, and modern package

Civic RS

• Traditional Civic DNA enhanced for a vehicle of the future
• Attention to detail ensures a refined and comfortable interior
• Safety credentials bolstered through improved technology
• Enhanced powertrain raises the bar in terms of performance

Honda Motor Southern Africa is proudly maintaining its presence in the C sedan segment with the introduction of the All-New, eleventh-generation Honda Civic. With a heritage that spans five decades the Civic is Honda’s longest-running nameplate and the newcomer – available in RS trim only – will continue to build on a reputation for engineering excellence, fun-to-drive dynamics, quality construction and frugal fuel consumption.

Honda went to great lengths to ensure that the Civic RS sedan offers fresh exterior styling and an attractive interior layout, wrapped together in a modern interpretation of the brand’s human-centered values. Packed to the brim with advanced features while keeping true to the Civic DNA styling, handling, and powerful performance, this is a vehicle that is engineered and powered by passion, inspired by a strong legacy, and built for the future.

Simple yet sporty exterior

This is the first Civic to wear the RS badge in South Africa and as such it sports a distinctively simple yet sporty design.

Drawing inspiration from previous generations, the exterior styling of the All-New Civic RS features a low beltline, a long and low bonnet, pulled back A-pillars, and large glass areas. Attractive, wide-set LED headlights and taillights are connected by a sharp character line that carries from the front bumper to the rear, where the horizontal orientation of the light cluster lends a sense of stability and solidness. Privacy glass, and a dual tailpipe finisher round off the look.

An RS exterior package accentuates the Civic’s sporty appeal. Apart from 18-inch black matte alloy wheels, this includes gloss black finishes for the side mirrors, shark fin antenna, outer door handles and rear boot spoiler. Body colour options includes Platinum White (Pearl), Coffee Cherry Red (Metallic), Meteoroid Grey (Metallic), Lunar Silver (Metallic), and Brilliant Sporty Blue (Metallic).

In keeping with its new-age identity, the All-New Civic is 25mm longer than its predecessor. It is also slightly lower, while the wheelbase has stretched by 35mm. As such it is 4 677mm long, 1 802mm wide, 1 415mm high, and with a wheelbase of 2 735mm.

Refined premium interior

The design of the human-centered cabin of the All-New Civic RS is a reflection of a clear focus on detail. As such, it provides excellent visibility and the efficient use of space. The instrument panel and other interior surfaces have been designed with a minimum number of cut lines to reduce visual distractions. At the same time, there is extensive use of high-quality materials, while a great deal of attention was paid to the feel and operation of all switchgear and controls, thus providing a positive tactile experience.

Leather/suede-combination upholstery for the power adjustable and heated seats, red ambient interior lighting, a black headlining, sport pedals and a finely textured centre console add to the sporty, sophisticated feel.

A metal honeycomb mesh panel that stretches from door to door across the entire dash serves multiple functions. It creates a visual dividing line that splits the dash into an information section – with the instrument panel and touchscreen audio systems – on the top, and a control section at the bottom. In order to keep the dash uncluttered, the panel also incorporates concealed air vents.

Additional mod cons include dual zone automatic air-conditioning with rear ventilation, an auto dimming rearview mirror, electric windows front and rear, auto windscreen wipers, and cruise control.

Advanced infotainment technology

The All-New Civic RS is equipped with Honda’s 9‑inch Advanced HMI Display Audio with Apple CarPlay™ (wireless) and Android Auto Connectivity, which has been designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind. This is the same system used in the Honda Fit and features a volume knob, physical buttons for Home and Back functions, large icons, a fast processor for lag-free performance, and a simplified navigation structure with fewer embedded menus. A wireless smartphone charger and USB ports front and rear are also standard.

A 10.2‑inch interactive all-digital LCD instrument cluster enables the driver to scroll through music playlists, navigation directions, Honda SENSING functions as well as answer phone calls – all from the steering wheel. The LCD screen features customisable areas on either side, the left being dedicated to audio and telephone information, while the right conveys driving-related information such as activating or deactivating various Honda Sensing functions, or navigation system information.

In a first for Honda, the eleventh-generation Civic offers a branded audio system as standard. Featuring Bose CenterPoint 2 and Bose SurroundStage digital signal processing, the new 12-speaker system was custom-engineered for the Civic and delivers a clear and impactful listening experience.

Engineered for driving enjoyment

The All-New Civic has a more rigid body structure, which provides an improved base for dynamic excellence. The chassis has been updated for improved handling and sharper steering. At the same time reworked components ensure a refined and fun driving experience, while still delivering a comfortable ride.

While retaining the Civic’s traditional reputation for dynamic performance and efficient fuel consumption, the powertrain of the All-New RS rings in a major change. It now comes with Honda’s enhanced 1.5L VTEC turbocharged engine, with outputs having been raised to 131kW of power at 6 000 r/min, and peak torque of 240Nm between 1 700 r/min and 4 500 r/min. Combined with an updated continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), it offers improved power delivery, refinement, and fuel efficiency. More natural responsiveness is ensured through Honda’s “Step-Shift” programming, which simulates gear changes when accelerating.

The Civic also features three drive modes: ECON, Normal and Sport. Switching between the three is simplified through the intuitive Drive Mode Switch located on the centre console.

With a fuel tank capacity of 47 litres, the Civic RS uses 6.2 litres/100 km in a combined cycle.

Safety at its best

The All-New Civic RS offers a full suite of active and passive safety technologies as standard, all designed to make driving easier and safer.

Active safety features include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Hill Start Assist (HAS), Brake Hold, a rearview camera and parking sensors. The Civic also offers front, side, and curtain airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors and seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats. In addition to reminders for the headlights, parking brake and key, the All-New Civic boasts two new safety features in the form of rear seatbelt reminders and a driver attention monitor.

Along with Honda's proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure technology, the All-New Civic also features enhanced Honda SENSING safety technology, with a range of driver assistance features and driver aids, as standard. This new and improved system incorporates the newly developed wider-angle, higher definition front camera, which is able to detect a more comprehensive range of road surfaces and traffic characteristics, including enhanced night-time operation.

Additional Honda SENSING technologies include:

• Collision mitigation braking system

• Adaptive cruise control

• Forward collision warning

• Lane keeping assist system

• Road departure mitigation

• Auto high beam

• Lane-watch camera