Based on the Honda Civic LX Sedan, the Civic GX runs on
inherently-clean natural gas and produces near zero emissions, earning it the
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's (ACEEE) "greenest vehicle"
title for five consecutive years.
For 2009, the Civic GX has a new look with exterior styling
that includes a new front bumper cover, grille design, rear chrome garnish and a
new "Natural Gas Vehicle" decal on each rear door. Interior updates include new
cloth materials and seat patterns, door linings and armrests, and a sporty
3-spoke steering wheel that replaces the 2-spoke design.
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. Consumers in California and New
York, and fleet customers nationwide, can purchase the Civic GX through
qualified Honda dealers.
"The Civic GX sets a high standard for low emissions," said
Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Of
additional importance, natural gas vehicles help diversify the country's
transportation energy resources."
Natural gas-powered vehicles are part of Honda's energy
strategy to offer the best available technology for the reduction of air
pollution and petroleum dependence and serve as an enabling technology for
hydrogen fuel cell cars in the future.
The Civic GX 1.8-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine produces
113 horsepower @ 6300 rpm and 109 ft-lbs of torque @ 4300 rpm, and achieves an
EPA-estimated1 city/highway fuel economy of 24/36
miles per Gasoline-Gallon Equivalent (GGE). Maximum fuel tank capacity is 8.0
GGE at 3600 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, sharp and refined handling performance with its
MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. A sweeping
roofline and a sleek windshield angle convey an advanced, one-motion profile
with a low and wide stance. The interior focuses on sophisticated styling with a
two-tier instrument panel, comfortable seating and accommodating storage areas
with room for mobile phones, MP3 players, 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, dual-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.
Standard safety features include an anti-lock brake system
(ABS) with electronic brake distribution, front seatbelts with
automatic-tensioners and load limiters, and a pedestrian injury mitigation
design incorporated into the front exterior of the vehicle. Driver and front
passenger seatbelt reminders and daytime running lights are also standard
equipment.
Standard features include 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 dedicated natural gas-powered
passenger car available to retail customers in the United States and is
assembled2 in East Liberty, Ohio.
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 approximately 30
percent less expensive than gasoline when purchased at a refueling station, and
can be more than 50 percent less expensive than gasoline when supplied by the
home refueling appliance, "Phil," developed by FuelMaker Corporation3.
"Phil" is a home-based refueling appliance that can be
mounted to a garage wall either indoors or outdoors to allow natural gas powered
vehicles to be refueled overnight directly from a homeowner's existing natural
gas supply line. The purchase and installation of Phill may qualify customers
for a federal tax credit of up to $1,000.
As in previous years, 2009 Civic GX owners may be eligible
for a $4,000 federal tax credit4 designed to promote
clean, alternative fuel vehicles and fueling infrastructure.
As a "clean air vehicle," the Civic GX qualifies for single
occupant HOV lane access in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado,
Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Utah and Virginia, plus the District of Columbia.
The Civic GX qualifies for free metered parking5 in
the following California cities: Los Angeles, San Jose and Santa Monica.
As of August 2008, available California statewide incentive
programs6 for consumers and fleet operators,
available on a first-come, first-served basis, include a $3,000 rebate available
through the California Air Resource Board (CARB).
A wide range of incentive programs5 for consumers and fleet
operators are available in California, all on a first-come, first-served basis.
These include: San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (APCD) $2,000
rebate for Civic GX; South Coast Area Air Quality Management District (AQMD)
$2,000 discount for Phill; cities of Vacaville, Dixon and Rio Vista $6,800
rebate for Civic GX and $2,000 rebate for Phill. Additionally, the Bay Area Air
Quality Management District (AQMD) provides a grant of $4,500 to Civic GX fleet
operators.
About ACEEE
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy ACEEE is a
nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of
promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection.
1 Based on 2009 EPA mileage
estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models.
Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your
actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
2 Of domestic and globally
sourced parts.
3 Additional information
regarding FuelMaker Corporation of Ontario, Canada, and the Phill home refueling
appliance is available at www.fuelmaker.com.
4 Consult a tax professional to
determine eligibility.
5 Vehicle must display HOV decal
and follow posted parking rules. Check local codes for exact rules.
6 The referenced incentive
programs provide discounts on the Civic GX and/or Phill. This information is
meant to be an example of what is available. These programs are "first-come,
first-served" and there is no guarantee that these incentives will be available.
When a sales transaction is pending, please contact the program contact to make
certain that the program is still in place and that funding is still available.