Test drive Honda Civic sedan 2000 - 2003 sedan

The fruit of the revolution

Each time, starting to develop a new generation of a popular model, automakers have to decide whether to limit themselves to another evolution, slightly updating appearance and units, or revolution - up to a revision of the concept. Of course, when the model is at the peak of popularity, it makes no sense in cardinal changes - they can scare away potential buyers, but sooner or later the period of a decline in interest occurs, and then it remains to prepare a revolution, the results of which are quite difficult to predict.

The new 5 -door Civic is just such a radical product. The low, aggressive hot hatchback turned into a kind of mini-wen with an absolutely even floor and lever gearbox growing from the central part of the torpedo. I am sure that many Civic fans will express their displeasure in connection with changes, but do not get excited, we will better try to figure out what happened.

The appearance of the new Civic is quite controversial and made in the currently fashionable Unisex style, that is, the machine does not have a definitely male or female features. A short low hood, huge slanting headlights, a massive sidewall, broken by a rigid ribbish, have an amazing ability to change the image of the model depending on the color. If the color is light, then soft rounded surfaces come to the fore, which gives the car of femininity, and slanting headlights look childishly naive; If the coloring is dark, then hard lines and substetricians are immediately striking in the eyes - Civic is now aggressive and dynamic, and his expression is frightening and obscure.

No less serious changes are observed in the cabin. The floor has become absolutely even, and the car itself as a result of a truly five-seater-the middle rear does not feel like a second-rate passenger due to the tunnel interfering under the feet. It is thanks to the mini -wagon layout and more vertical planting that the rear riders are not constrained in space - neither above the head, nor in the legs, even if there is a very tall person, in the shoulders there are so many places that other models of a higher class will envy.

There is news for the driver. A large doorway will allow it to take its place without risk to get dirty on the threshold, the steering wheel is located more horizontally, which facilitates the entrance-exit.

The seat - in German, with noticeable lateral support - has only two adjustments, longitudinal and the corner of the back of the back, but it is possible to pick up the landing very quickly, and it does not require further adjustments. True, high, for 190 cm, the driver will have to be hard - it will not work properly to move the chair back, perhaps due to the fact that the Japanese do not differ in basketball growth ...

The diameter and cross -section of the stumps are selected successfully - she asks for her hands. The gearbox lever, rooted in such an unusual place, turned out to be extremely comfortable - thanks to the proximity to the steering wheel (like on racing cars) and a clear, intelligible strokes. The steering wheel switches are easily accessible and endowed with their usual functions, only light control is additionally entrusted to the left lever. The instrument shield is simple and concise: in the center there is a speedometer, and on the left and right of it, respectively, a tachometer and a group consisting of indicators of the fuel and engine temperature, as well as indicator lamps. The central console (as such, it is absent, we will consider it everything that is above the gearbox) looks quite poor - there is only a CD player and a microclimate control unit, and meanwhile, the machine is equipped in full.

The trunk seemed very convenient: the doorway is wide, and the loading height is small. Cargo spaces are very decent, especially if you fold the rear seat - in parts or whole.

Now forward, on the road. I turn on the ignition, the starter rummaged, and ... silence. On the governing bodies - no vibration. Did I get her or not? Frozen near a mark of 1000 vol./Min. The tachometer arrow reported that the engine was working. The moment on the bottom is sufficient to move without even touching the gas pedal. I roll out to the traffic light. Green, the first - and gas to the floor: Civic, screeching with tires, rushes forward, clinging to the back of the chair ... The second ... acceleration almost does not weaken, the motor easily and evenly spins to 7000 rpm, while the pace of the set speed does not decrease. There is a desire to trust him even more, but the electronic watchman prevents these attempts.

For such properties of the motor, you should thank the new Honda system for changing the phase of gas distribution VTEC-II, which, unlike the previous one, starting to work from 4000 rpm, is already valid with 1000 revolutions, which allows you to achieve such a successful distribution of the moment and power in everything in everything Working range.

I look in the mirror - the neighbors on the traffic light lagged behind the whole quarter. And then some kind of kettle, without evaluating the agricultural agility, begins to turn quietly - put his car across the street. Realizing the danger, he stalls with a fright, and I have no choice but to slow down on the floor. ABS intervenes in the matter (perhaps somewhat too early, the possibilities of Bridgestone rubber are far from exhausted), but I obviously don’t have time to stop, the only chance is to slip into a narrow gap between the front of the car that has blocked the road and the curb (the kettle itself does not do anything, only looks at me Widely open eyes).
I give abruptly to the left, then to the right. Honda clearly, almost without rolls, passes along the desired trajectory. Wow mini-wen! This is just a racing car with a well -tuned suspension! True, it may seem harsh to someone, but even on serious potholes she does not allow a hint of breakdown, and in corners she perfectly holds a high car, instilling confidence in the driver. The steering did not disappoint, easy at low speed and a gaining reactive moment with its increase, so you constantly feel the fullness of control over the machine.

From the stress I got, I moved away, having left the Moscow Ring Road, - calmly rolled in the left row on the fifth of 140 km/h. The silence was violated only by the buzz of rubber - neither you are aerodynamic noise, nor the noise of the engine.

In general, fans of Honda Civic should not be upset. Take a closer look at the newcomer. And remember that not a single revolution without loss was complete.

Text: Alexander Nadens
 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 01/2001]