The world of Sedans will never be the same following the Middle East release of the all-new Honda Civic 2006 YM at the Park Hyatt Dubai. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. hosted a media event to launch the 1.8-liter i-VTEC Civic, which it claims will be “one of this year’s biggest revelations.”

Photo: http://world.honda.com/news/2005/c051113_2.html

The 1.8L i-VTEC Civic engine aims at producing bigger power output in acceleration as well as low fuel consumption in cruise driving. It is as powerful as a 2.0L engine and brings along with it an impressive 140 HP drive, yet at the same time it is just as fuel economic as a 1.5L engine due to the i-VTEC technology being used (intelligent Variable valve Timing and lift Electronic Control). This will surely come as a relief to buyers because of the recent rising gasoline prices in the region.

Driving pleasure is supported by a second innovative value; a Multiplex cockpit that hosts better ergonomics in driving. Honda’s original two layers of meters allow drivers to catch driving information immediately requiring minimum eye movement, which aims at supplying good visibility with the sporty driving.

The final key value is the Civic’s sleek motion form that vastly reduces wind noise and higher rigidity of chassis shuts the vibration from engine or road so you can enjoy in-car entertainment, audio music, and conversation in an extremely quiet cabin space.

The Honda Civic’s 33rd birthday this summer marked another other milestone in a history of innovation and surprises that began with the launch of the first Civic in July 1972 at a time when Honda was still best known for its motorcycles. The Civic evolved through seven generations over the past three decades, serving as the platform for some of Honda’s most exciting innovations along the way.

This latest-generation Civic is also the beneficiary of broad and thorough research in safety design. Sophisticated active and passive safety features combine to ensure maximum safety, something that Honda Civics are renowned for. The G-Force Control Technology (G-CON) body structure enhances the vehicle's ability to deal with crash energy in impacts with vehicles of differing size.

The all-new Honda Civic is available in three grades; the entry level LXi, followed by the EXi, and the top of the range VTi. All three grades are available in manual and automatic transmission, with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which is optional for the LXi. The Civic also features standard Dual SRS airbags for optimum driver and front passenger safety. Front side SRS airbag system and side curtain airbag system are also optional on the EXi grade and the standard VTi. As a luxurious touch, the VTi grade comes equipped with standard leather interior and an optional electric-smoked glass sunroof.

The revitalized Civic will also bring along an all new range of colors, offering new shades such as the striking Neutron Blue Metallic, the luxurious Premium White Pearl, the sporty Alabaster Silver Metallic, the classy Galaxy Grey Metallic, and the elegant Royal Blue to name a few.

Meanwhile, 2004 was a record breaking year for Honda in the region with the company enjoying an increase of 9 percent in the sales of its entire range of passenger cars and SUVs. 2005 has similarly been an excellent year for Honda as projections look very positive as the end of the year approaches. With more than 16 million cumulative buyers globally so far, the brand new Civic will help assert Honda’s pole position in terms of sales.