Rally Sport or “RS” is a badge associated with fast and furious cars. Honda for one is an avid exponent of the RS variant . Although a big improvement from the previous generation, Honda is betting all the cards on its table with the 2016 iteration of its most recognizable nameplate, the Civic.
I must admit that the previous three generations were a bit of a letdown, although the cars were sleek and balanced. At the back of our minds, all three generations paled in comparison tsith the legendary Civic SiR. When it was launched early this year, everybody who rallied behind the brand were asking, is this 10th generation a worthy replacement? Well, for starters, the car is all new: from the platform, engine, transmission and down to its lightweight body. It is the first ground-up new car from the carmaker since the 2008-09 global financial crisis and the post Tsunami debacle that hit Japan that crippled its operations. A lot is riding on this model and based on my first impressions about the car, Honda may have hit the mark this time. Honda admitted that the previous model did not make the grade.
Now back to the “RS” badge. Calling this car an RS is like referring to a Happy Meal as real food or calling former President Aquino as the country’s best President. It is just not accurate. One thing is certain though, this latest version of the Civic is a step up in the right direction. It’s got striking good looks, athletic design with muscular front fender haunches, a low nose that swoops into a coupe-like roofline. The RS can be differentiated from the entry level 1800cc Civic by a rear deck spoiler, sportier 17-inch alloy wheels and the “RS Turbo” badge just beneath the superbly designed rear tail lights.
This one is also bigger: 104mm longer, 44mm wider at 1755mm and sits low to the ground at just 19mm. The wheelbase is stretched 30mm to 2700mm, which is longer than the original Euro-version of the Accord. The interior has a commendable space for five adults including the driver, more legroom at the rear seat and huge 517 liters of rear cargo space. The Civic’s interior totally eclipses that previous model with design engineers doing away with the confusing multiple screens and oddly placed buttons. The gauge clusters are housed in a elegantly designed dash layout and no faux wood here which is good. Even for short limbed drivers, this car offers an excellent driving position, it has electric controlled and well bolstered driver’s seat and the A-pillars are angled towards maximum frontal visibility. The 7.0 inch touch screen with SatNav which sits above the symmetrical console is a plus factor, given the terrible traffic jams that plague Metro Manila.
For a rather steep retail price of P1.3M, this variant is equipped with a 1500cc four cylinder engine armed with a single scroll turbo charger. It pumps out a healthy 174bhp at 6000rpms and has a 16.5 psi of boost and 162 pound feet of torque which makes this small displacement car a nominee for boy racers. The power is felt not heard due to the corking of the sound by the turbo charger and the car’s extensive insulation. If your benchmark is the good old SiR, you’re in for a disappointment because this car lacks the brutality of the B16 engine and the cracking sound once the VTEC kicks in. Due to the intelligence of the CVT, there is some turbo lag from a standing start, but once the revs start to pile-up, the car gains momentum and everything around you starts to move in slow motion. This 1500cc turbo engine is Honda’s first to be offered in a car. Don’t get me wrong, the car is fast, but Honda should have done better with a 2.0 liter turbo.
This car’s structure is solid and stiff with the ride quality excellent plus a spacious interior. Adding to its refinement is the car’s insulation which makes you feel like you’re inside a comfortable cocoon and aerodynamic wind flow design. Make no mistake about it, Honda has found what it has been looking for, a well balanced car that is tuner friendly for that weekend track day with the boys.