Well, that was fast. Barely a year after its introduction in the Southeast Asian region, Honda has decided to discontinue the RS Turbo variant, at least for the Thai market. Taking its place as the top-of-the-line variant for Honda’s compact sedan is the Civic RS e:HEV.
After its European debut last March, it seems this potent gasoline-hybrid engine is now making its way around the world. Now, the ASEAN region, starting with Thailand will benefit from Honda’s electrified push as well. The Civic e:HEV produces 183 horsepower and 315 Nm of torque—more than the Civic Turbo.
The secret is a combination of Honda’s latest 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine helped along by two electric motors. The electric motors work together to provide the primary drive force for the Civic Hybrid, and as such, can deliver a fuel economy figure north of 20 km/L.
The engine is controlled by a new, compact Power Control unit which now sits under the hood with the rest of the powertrain. Sitting under the rear seats is the latest version of Honda’s Intelligent Power Unit and whilst smaller and lighter, it benefits from an increased energy density.
The Civic e:HEV is capable of switching between EV, Hybrid, and Engine drive with no input from the driver. Four drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport and a new Individual mode, which allows separate control of the engine, transmission and cluster gauge display, can be selected by the driver to tailor the vehicle response as required.
For fans of the turbocharged 1.5-liter, Honda Thailand has kept the turbocharged engine for the mid-grade EL+ and the entry-level EL.
In terms of specifications, the Civic RS e:HEV sticks pretty close to the RS Turbo down to the same leather/suede seats, 10.2-inch digital instrumentation, a 9-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto, and more. It also comes with the Lane Watch camera on top of the complete Honda SENSING safety suite.
Price-wise, the Civic RS e:HEV is priced at 1,270,000 Baht (P 1.950 million). By comparison, the RS Turbo in Thailand used to cost 1,199,900 Baht (P 1.842 million). Even the mid-trim EL+ e:HEV (similar to the local Civic V variant) costs 1,150,000 Baht (P 1.76 million), which is way more than the Civic EL+ Turbo’s 1,009,900 Baht (P 1.55 million) price tag.
Are you willing to pay about P 100,000 more for the hybrid engine, or are you already happy with the current turbocharged Civic which Honda Cars Philippines launched late last year?
You can recoup that 100K in gas savings in no time, on top of you have a more powerful/advanced drivetrain. So its an easy yes.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note - that civic design is growing on me 😎
the civic design has zero sex appeal. just like you
DeleteTrue. Never a fan of the design from the beginning.
DeleteAnd true, Im not sexy at all haha
The savings in gas will just go to the cost of maintenance. Therefore, one may never recoup the 100k.
DeleteGlad Mr. Ford-hater RG admitted he's a maidenless virgin. By the way, the Altis you like also has no sex appeal.
DeleteGenuinely glad to see my ever relentless loyal passionate fans haha.
DeleteThis maidenless virgin still drives around at a manual 2002 Toyota Revo with manual windows. And I feel as every bit as macho haha
Manual is sexy.
DeleteCan we be sure that 100k increase is applicable to Philippines? Honda Phil has a tendency to be greedy. Expect 400k maybe.
DeleteWith e:HEV increasingly available in other countries, when can Honda PH bring in this tech in the local lineup? The Jazz is a very appropriate car in these times but Honda just wants to flog chopped off Citys in its place. Toyota is commendable for offering hybrids (though selling at a premium) while Honda seems flat footed in bringing in innovative cars that made their reputation in the first place.
ReplyDeleteSedans are dead.
ReplyDeleteYou can buy a descent CUV with less money.
Even if honda electrifies the civic, it will also end up dead.
Case in point- the nissan e-power.
C'mon Honda Philippines!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen we will you launch the e:HEV system to compete with the incoming Nissan e-Power system?
Also, the days of sedans are pretty much numbered. The writing's on the wall. Majority of people want either a crossover, MPV or an SUV.
ReplyDeleteteam sedan :D
DeleteSedans are just awesome to drive and they look great. They might not be practical to most people but the fun factor they give cant be replicated by an SUV or CUV.
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't know all 3 trims of the local Civic here are cheaper than their Thai versions, even with the added shipping, customs & local taxes!
ReplyDeleteAlso, we never got the full Honda Sensing suite here, the Civic & HR-V do not have Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert or 360° cameras. So we got ~80% of the suite of features.
Probably because if they bring in the full suite of Honda SENSING here on our local variants, it might jack the price further.
DeleteIf they're just gonna pick & choose Sensing features, then BSM, RCTA & 360° cameras are more useful than LKAS, LCDN & the LaneWatch camera.
DeleteSame sentiment. RCTA is great when backing up (extends the range beyond what the parking sensor can only detect) and BSM, and upgrade Lane watch with 360° camera for motorcycles that constantly dart through that tiny spaces between cars. Does make sense than Lane Departure Warning and Lane Intervention. I like the FCW/AEB and Adaptive Cruise though, they're finetuned well when driving through NLEX.
DeleteI've checked the Honda Thailand website, the Civic spec there also doesn't have those three features. They're probably not available in asean spec models?
DeleteIts available in Indonesia and Malaysia. Civic RS in indonesia goes for around 2M Php and the Malaysian version is around 1.75M Php. Malaysia assembles their Civic locally. And I think they dont have the fully digital instrument cluster display and the Bose Speakers. So thats what they gave up for RCTA and front sensors. I personally would go for the digital cluster and bose speakers than RCTA.
DeleteI'm on the opposite camp. I'd rather get the blind spot monitors with rear cross traffic alert than the Bose. I'd probably keep the full digital cluster though rather than the front sensors.
Deletenope, Indonesian and Malaysian spec Civics also doesn't have those three.
DeleteUhhh. What is the advantage of a digital cluster exactly?
Delete