Natural Gas-Powered 2011 Civic GX Remains Smart, Green Choice

First introduced in 1998 and based on the Honda Civic LX Sedan, the Civic GX runs on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and produces inherently low emissions.

Previously targeted primarily to government and fleet customers, individual retail consumers in California, New York, Utah and Oklahoma can now purchase the 2011 Civic GX through Honda dealers certified to sell and service the Civic GX. As an inherently low emissions vehicle, buyers of the Civic GX may qualify for a $4,000 federal tax credit1 as part of government program to promote clean, alternative-fuel vehicles and fueling infrastructure. Many states, including California, are continuing to offer single-occupant carpool-lane access for Civic GX drivers.

The Civic GX is equipped with a 1.8-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that produces 113 horsepower @ 6300 rpm and 109 lb-ft. of torque @ 4300 rpm, and achieves an EPA-estimated2 city/highway fuel economy of 24/36 miles per Gasoline-Gallon Equivalent (GGE). Maximum fuel-tank capacity is 8.0 GGE at 3,600 pounds per square inch. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Built on a high-rigidity, unit-body platform, the Civic is designed to deliver precise and refined handling performance with its fully independent MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension designs. A sweeping roofline and a sleek windshield angle convey an advanced, one-motion profile. The interior focuses on sophisticated styling with a two-tier instrument panel, CNG-optimized fuel gauge, comfortable seating and accommodating storage areas with room for mobile phones, compact discs and more.

A wide array of standard safety technologies includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure; side curtain airbags; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and dual-stage, multiple-threshold driver's and front passenger's front airbags (SRS). Active front-seat head restraints are designed to help reduce the likelihood of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. Additional safety features include an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution and a pedestrian injury mitigation design incorporated into the front exterior of the vehicle.

Standard equipment includes 15-inch steel wheels with covers, P195/65R15 tires, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows with auto up/down driver's window, power door locks, keyless entry, a 160-watt AM/FM Audio System with CD Player (MP3/ Windows® Media Audio (WMA) enabled), auxiliary audio input jack, multi-function center console with sliding armrest and progressive blue illumination instrument panel meters.

The Civic GX is the only OEM-built, CNG-powered passenger car assembled3 in America. The Civic GX is built on the same assembly line as the gasoline-powered Civic four-door models at Honda's Greensburg, Indiana, manufacturing facility.

As an inherently clean-burning fuel, natural gas produces 75 percent fewer smog forming pollutants (oxides of nitrogen) compared to the output of a conventional gasoline engine. Natural gas is also an abundant, domestically sourced fuel that is approximately 30 percent less expensive than gasoline when purchased at a public access refueling station.

The Civic GX is the only vehicle certified by the EPA to meet both Federal Tier 2 Bin 2 and Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero evaporative emission certification standards. The Civic GX has earned recognition from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the 'greenest vehicle of 2010' for the seventh consecutive year.

by Honda

Manufactured by Honda in July of 1972, the two-door sedan Honda Civic was small and compact yet filled with vast interior space.

Rated as Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1980, the Civic achieved status on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best lists six time from 1985 to 1996. At the 2006 North American International Auto show (NAIAS) Car of the Year awards, the Civic took home the North American Car of the Year title.

The first-year civic came with an estimated 50 horsepower, and a 1,169 cc inline four-cylinder engine. Weighing only about 1,500 pounds, the Civic came with 0.71 horsepower per cubic inch. The Civic came with a transverse engine, and 1169 cc engine with front wheel drive and a wheelbase of 220 cm.

Sold as either a four-speed manual or two speed, this vehicle typically came with a A radio, heater, plastic trim, painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap and two-speed wipers.

Eventually becoming more luxurious, the updated Civic comes with satellite-linked navigation, power lock and windows and as a six-speed manual.

Before 1973, Honda was better known for producing motorcycles than vehicles. It was the arrival of the Civic that turned around the Honda opinion and its predilection for vehicle production. Achieving more than 40 mpg on the highway, this small car had room for four passengers.

Available in either a 3-door hatchback or a sedan version, this vehicles were identical except for their rear options. The sedan offered a small vertical panel that opened and provided access to the ‘trunk'.

Arriving with standard options such as power front disc brakes, reclining bucket seats, woodgrain-accented dashboard and vinyl seating, the options were minimal butincluded air conditioning, automatic transmission, rear wipers (in the hatchback) and radial tires. The hatchback also included a fold-down rear seat, cloth upholstery and an AM radio.

Honda Civic's have always represented dependability and a good value for the price. At a base price of around $2,200, the Civc was considered to be practical and ecconomical without any pretenses.

Nearly two years after its release, the engine expanded to 1,237 cc and available horsepower when from 50 to 52. The bumpers on the Civic also grew longer along with its overall length to 146.9 inches to meet the 5-mph bumper impact standard.

A design that promoted cleaner and more efficient combustion, the CVCC (Controlled Vortex Combustion Chamber) was introduced in 1975 and eliminated the need for a catalytic convertor or unleaded fuel to meet emission standards. This new engine offered 53-horsepower displaced 1, 499 cc.

In 1975 a manual 5-speed manual gear box also became available at the same time as the Civic station wagon was released. The station wagon measured an overall length of 160 inches and had a wheelbase of 89.9 inches and came with the new CVCC engine.

In this same year, Civic sales ranked a whopping 100,000 units.

With an increase of the CVCC engine to 60 horsepower, 1978 models had new black grilles, new turn signals and rear-facing hood vents.

The 1980 Civic came with a sleek body that had an increased wheelbase at 88.6 inches for the Hatchback and 91.3 inches for the wagon. At the same time, the ‘sedan' version was no longer produced.

In 1981, a four-door sedan was introduced, and at the same time the rudimentary two-speed unit was replaced by a more modern three-speed automatic. The following year the five-speed ‘FE' (Fuel Economy) was released and achieved 41 mpg in the city, and 55 mpg on the highway. Updated features included rectangular headlamps and black bumpers.

In 1984 the Civic began to expand in size, and also became more advanced and sophisticated in terms of design. A new 1.5 liter-engine with 12 valves and 76 horsepower came on the newly released Civic.

Civic's strong reputation as a reliable and dependable vehicle continued through the years. Popularity for Honda vehicles continued to rise and their annual sales topped 200,000.

by Jessican Donaldson