Honda Civic 1.0 Liter Turbo
Dongfeng Honda has introduced a new Honda Civic 1.0T
model for the Chinese market. The Civic 180Turbo is available in two Comfort Edition
variants, one with a manual transmission and the other, a CVT.
The Civic 1.0T is identical to the
domestic 1.5 litre turbo version in terms of looks,
with minor detail changes. The 1.0 litre model makes do with halogen projector
headlamps, and rides on 16-inch wheels and 215/55 profile tyres as opposed to
the 17s seen on the higher spec examples of the 1.5 litre, which is badged as a
220Turbo.
Despite the 180 in the moniker, there isn’t anywhere
close to 180 horses under the hood. The 1.0 litre VTEC turbo mill is
essentially the Earth Dreams Technology unit that was first showcased at the
2015 Honda Meeting in Japan.
At the event, rated power output for the
three-cylinder turbocharged unit was 127 hp and 200 Nm, but its application in
the 180Turbo sees a minor reduction in output numbers. The P10A1, as the unit
is known by, offers 123 hp at 5,500 rpm and 173 Nm from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm on
the Chinese Civic.
The current series production mill itself is an
evolution of the research 1.0 litre turbo unit that was seen at the 2012 Honda
Meeting. The direct-injection DOHC engine features dual Variable Valve Timing
Control (VTC) and Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) on
the intake side.
Key design elements include a high-tumble intake
port, a high efficiency cooling cylinder head, piston with cooling gallery,
sodium filled exhaust valves as well as a variable capacity oil pump, and the
unit features an idling stop system to aid fuel economy.
The design also utilises an oil-coated timing belt,
similar to the configuration found in Ford’s 1.0 litre EcoBoost, essentially
its primary competitor in the powertrain field.
Quoted performance figures for the CVT-equipped
Civic 180Turbo variant include a 0-100 km/h time of 11.3 seconds (11.6 for the
manual), a 200 km/h top speed (204 km/h, manual) and a claimed 5.0 litre per
100 km fuel consumption (5.5 litres, manual).