The engine also features a "high rigidity" aluminum block, which integrates reinforcements within its walls, low friction components, such as Molybdenum Di-Sulfide (MoS2) cylinder coatings and cylinder sleeve plateau honing, a lightweight composite dual stage intake manifold, made of resin rather than aluminum to reduce weight, cracked connecting rods, which means that the rod and cap are forged as a complete unit when
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| The five-speed auto also makes the 2006 Civic the first car in its class to move away from less efficient four-speed auto doldrums. (Photo: Honda) |
built for increased strength and reduced weight, programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI), a stainless steel, low mass exhaust system, that makes a separate exhaust manifold a thing of the past, and last but not least, is controlled via a new drive-by-wire throttle.
The Civic gets the choice of a new lighter weight, smoother shifting five-speed manual or direct control five-speed automatic, an ultra compact design, allowing for an even smaller powertrain package than last year's Civic, plus the benefits of Grade Logic Control and improved electronic mapping so that the drivetrain doesn't hunt around for the appropriate gear on long, uphill grinds. It will also find the appropriate gear when going back down the other side of the hill. The five-speed auto also makes the 2006 Civic the first car in its class to move away from less efficient four-speed auto doldrums - expect this trend to continue, pushed forward by the ongoing fuel crunch. Previously I'd always found it difficult to understand why entry-level automakers hadn't come to market with more efficient transmissions in their smaller cars. If any vehicle needs a
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| Only the Civic Hybrid features a continuously variable transmissions (CVT). (Photo: Honda) |
five- or six-speed gearbox, its one fitted with a smaller displacement engine, not the larger V8- and V12-powered luxury cars that often feature six and even seven-speed transmissions. I suppose, like everything, it comes down to money.
I should mention that a variety of small cars have been offered with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), which on average reduce fuel consumption by about six to eight percent, but due to the strange sensation of a shiftless transmission CVTs haven't been particularly popular - there are some new models coming out featuring CVTs with a "stepped transmission feel", so that they mirror shift points. To CVT fans, this might ruin a good thing, but the majority of new car buyers will appreciate the familiarity such fuzzy logic brings to this technology. While I'm going on at length about the merits of CVT technology, only the Civic Hybrid features one and I'm not going to write about my test drive experience in this car until a little later this month.
