The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas (formerly the Civic GX), the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger vehicle manufactured and sold in the U.S., debuted Oct. 18, marking the first time in the vehicle’s 14-year history it’s been available at dealerships throughout the country.
Until its current model, the Honda Civic natural gas model was available only in California, New York, Utah and Oklahoma.
To support growing consumer interest in alternative-fuel vehicles, American Honda expanded its U.S. distribution to 200 dealers in 35 states. As an alternative-fuel vehicle with extremely low smog-forming emissions, the Civic Natural Gas currently qualifies for a state-issued decal allowing single-occupant access to High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) “carpool” lanes in California and several other states.
The Civic Natural Gas engine produces almost zero smog-forming emissions and is the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle certified by the EPA (Tier-II, Bin-2 and ILEV certification as of August 2010).
Featuring new styling, enhanced performance and increased fuel economy, the redesigned 2012 Civic Natural Gas can now be equipped with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System featuring an exclusive database of publically accessible Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refueling stations across the United States.
Standard equipment on the 2012 Civic Natural Gas includes the new “intelligent” Multi-Information Display (i-MID) that provides a convenient platform for integration of vehicle information and compatible personal electronics with a driver-oriented 5-inch color LCD display and intuitive steering wheel controls. All models also come equipped with Bluetooth, HandsFreeLink, for wirelessly connecting compatible mobile phones and a USB audio interface for compatible music players.
A modified 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine found in the Civic Sedan and Coupe models powers the new Civic Natural Gas. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment. The Civic Natural Gas has an EPA-rated city/highway/combined fuel economyii of 27/38/31 miles per gallon (gasoline-gallon equivalent). Compared to the previous model, city fuel economy is up by 12.5 percent and highway fuel economy is improved by 5.5 percent.
Additionally, the 2012 Civic Natural Gas achieves a 10.7 percent improvement in combined fuel economy and range. The new model also incorporates the Honda ECO Assist™ system, an innovative technology that can enhance efficient vehicle operation at the touch of a button, while also providing visual feedback to the driver to promote and confirm a more efficient driving style.
The Civic Natural Gas has its 3600-psi fuel tank located between the rear wheels. The safety-engineered, aluminum-lined composite fuel tank can contain the gasoline-gallon equivalent (GGE) of 7.8 gallons of gasoline when filled with CNG to 3600 psi.
The Honda Civic Natural Gas remains the only OEM-built, CNG-powered passenger car produced in America. All Civic Natural Gas models are produced at Honda Manufacturing of Indiana.
The 2012 Honda Civic, priced at $26,155 (five-sped automatic) and $27,655 (five-speed with navigation) is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile New Car Limited Warranty; a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion limited warranty.
Gas mileage averages for both editons are 27 mpg (city), 38 (highway) and 31 mpg (combined).
Article Last Updated: September 4, 2013.
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