Category Archives: Family hatchback

Family hatchback, Honda, Manufacturer, Motor reviews, Vehicle type

Civic’s sporting challenge

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  • THE CIVIC SPORT LINE DELIVERS TYPE R-INSPIRED STYLING

Honda Civic 1.0T EX Sport Line

By Bill McCarthy

THINK of the Civic and you may think of just a smart looking C segment family hatchback which has stood the test of time, or maybe the firecracker Type R.

Well Honda is offering a combination of the two with its latest smart-looking Sport Line, a bit of a sheep in wolf’s clothing. That’s not meant to be derogatory as the fire-breathing, record-breaking Type R takes some beating.

But if you are looking for something blinged up, still an engaging drive, with sharp handling and a willing and throaty one litre, three cylinder power unit, this model could fit the bill.

Futuristically styled when it first came out, but still a practical family motor the Civic has never been short of innovations.

For this year, 10th generation base models receive revised bumper vents and grilles front and rear, complemented with a revised lower grille section, new LED headlights and minor changes to the CONNECT infotainment system.

At around £25k, it’s not cheap, but boasts a comprehensive range of equipment including reverse camera, sunroof and full range of safety kit.

The Sport Line, at first glance, could be mistaken for the Type R, featuring distinctive skirts and rear spoiler, enhanced by 17-inch piano black alloy wheels, daytime running lights and electric sunroof. It most certainly looks the part.

The sporting theme continues inside, with red stitching detail on seats and steering wheel, drilled aluminium pedals and, familiar to those who have driven Type R, round aluminium gear shift.

The centre console features a piano-black finish, while the colour touch-screen display controls navigation, climate, connectivity and infotainment and reversing camera. It also runs Apple Carplay and Android Auto and employs the familiar ‘pinch, swipe and tap‘ functionality of a smartphone to access its features and apps.

New climate control and sound system buttons increase functionality by allowing the most used and requested sub-menus to be accessed with just one touch. A small TFT screen behind the wheel also gives the driver instant information.

At around £25k, it’s not cheap, but boasts a comprehensive range of equipment including reverse camera, sunroof and full range of safety kit.

The three-pot VTEC turbo unit produces an impressive 126 PS and 200 Nm of torque, delivering brisk acceleration, which feels quicker than the the 10-odd seconds 0-60mph time, thanks to the throaty rasp of power unit.

It does score well on economy with a figure approaching 50mpg meaning less frequent visits to the fuel pump.

  • SPORT LINE DELIVERS TYPE R-INSPIRED STYLING

Mated to a precise six-speed manual transmission and stiffer suspension, the car delivers a much more sporty drive than figures would suggest and handles really well on bending, twisting roads.

All Hondas are safe and the this Civic has earned top ratings in Euro NCAP tests through collision mitigation braking system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and traffic sign recognition. 

This ranger topper also includes blind spot information including cross traffic monitor.

It is still hugely practical with plenty of stowage space and seating versatility. A neat innovation in the large boot area is the side-sliding tonneau cover, which can be operated with one hand for extra practicality. The split and folding rear seats provide a large stowage capacity of 550 litres, expanding to 1267 to roof level with the seats down.

Factfile

Price: £25,510

Mechanical: 126bhp, 998cc, three cylinder turbocharged petrol engine driving front wheels via six-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 126mph

0–60mph: 10.9 seconds

Combined mpg: 45.6

Insurance group: 15E

CO2 emissions: 110g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/90,000 milesWarranty: 3yrs/90,000 miles

Family hatchback, Manufacturer, Skoda, Vehicle type

Stay safe with Skoda

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Skoda’s new Octavia has put safety at the forefront with enhanced safety technology warning drivers and passengers to not open their doors into the path of oncoming cyclists.

The all-new fourth-generation Octavia is the first ŠKODA model to feature Exit Warning, and is designed to help reduce the number of instances of ‘dooring’ – where a cyclist is hit by the door of a parked vehicle opened by a passenger or driver.

Exit Warning, which is part of the brand’s Blind Spot Detection system available as standard from SE L First Edition, uses sensors to monitor the rear and sides of the vehicle when stationary.

If a cyclist is detected, the system will warn the driver through a series of visual warnings and by sounding an alert, both of which will continue until the hazard has passed or the doors have been closed. Working on both the front and rear of the car, the alert will reduce the chance of passengers swinging their doors open and causing a possible collision.

The sophisticated cameras in the new Octavia are able to observe possible hazards to the rear of the vehicle up to a distance of 35 metres and at angle of approximately 120°, providing greater assurance for drivers and passengers on when it is safe to exit the car.

The introduction of ŠKODA’s technology will be greeted as a welcome addition by the cycling community, particularly with the UK marking Bike Week 2020, which is taking place from June 6-14.

With many more cyclists expected to take to roads over the summer months as part of their commute to work, the new ŠKODA Octavia further encompasses a range of other advanced safety features to help protect those on two wheels.

Predictive Cycling Protection triggers a cascade of warnings to the driver if a cyclist is detected ahead – and will even engage the emergency brakes if necessary to avoid any possible accident.

Another innovative piece of technology is Turn Assist* which will be introduced for the first time in any ŠKODA, while the Octavia is the first vehicle in its class to have the safety feature. Using the on-board cameras, the system will be able to monitor oncoming traffic when turning right at a junction, as well as identify cyclists and pedestrians. If immediate danger is detected when executing a manoeuvre, the vehicle will be brought to a complete standstill, triggering the warning signal and preventing a possible collision.

Collision Avoidance Assist is another first for ŠKODA. The front cameras of the vehicle are able to detect an impending accident and perform a controlled evasive manoeuvre around the hazard, be that a cyclist or another vehicle. The system uses real-time data provided by the array of cameras and radars to calculate the most appropriate, and crucially the safest, trajectory around the potential danger.

A spokesperson at ŠKODA UK said: “The all-new fourth-generation Octavia is the most technologically advanced ŠKODA yet and one of the most cycle-friendly cars on the market.

“Naturally cyclists face daily challenges associated with cycling on busy roads, including avoiding car doors as they open. The technology introduced in the new Octavia, particularly Exit Warning, is there to assist drivers in helping to mitigate and reduce potential accidents.”

Summary

  • Fourth-generation ŠKODA Octavia features an array of safety features to protect cyclists, making it one of the most cycle-friendly cars on the market
  • Visual and audio alerts are activated when car is stationary, preventing drivers and passengers from opening their doors into cyclists as they ride past
  • Other cycle-friendly technologies include Predictive Cycling Protection, Turn Assist* and Collision Avoidance Assistance

To find out more about the new ŠKODA Octavia, visit www.skoda.co.uk