The Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC has been recognised as the most economical car of 2013 by What Car? magazine. Of all the cars tested by the British publication during last year, it's the 1.6-litre diesel Civic that appears to have gone the extra mile. Whereas manufacturers' fuel efficiency figures are usually conducted in clinical laboratories, the What Car? tests were judged in congested, urban areas in real-world environments. Therefore, offering a very realistic picture of the car's performance.
The What Car? tests include urban, extra-urban and motorway driving. We understand the tests were pretty rigorous, too. For instance, sensors were attached to the vehicle and measured the speed and exhaust pressure with a mixture of other calculations that recorded altitude, humidity and air pressure. The very things that impact good fuel economy for drivers on a daily basis.
By achieving an excellent 4.25 litres/100km - or nearly 67mpg - the diesel powered Civic achieved a genuine surprise - better economy than some hybrid vehicles. A clearly delighted Emmet Kavanagh, Marketing Manager of Universal Honda, Ireland said, "To have topped such a stringent test from such an influential publication is a very important accolade for us. While many competitors can produce cars with similar official figures, it's the results from real-world driving where the Civic is a true winner."
Anything else?
The new Honda Civic 1.6 i-DETC is a part of what Honda calls its 'Earth Dreams Technology' programme and aims to offer the optimal balance between economy, emissions and performance. Prices for the Honda Civic range in Ireland start at €21,895.