OREANDA-NEWS. February 24, 2016.

Overview

The 2016 Civic Coupe utilizes the most sophisticated chassis design in model history, delivering quicker and more accurate steering, more responsive handling, and exceptional ride quality that exceeds the mainstream, compact-car class to challenge even luxury C-segment products.

Key suspension upgrades include a sophisticated new multi-link rear suspension and rigid rear subframe; fluid-filled suspension bushings that greatly enhance ride quality while providing robust isolation from road vibration; stabilizer bars with bonded bushing mounts for improved body control; dual-pinion, variable ratio Electric Power Steering (EPS) that enhances steering feel, performance and comfort; and a Straight Driving Assist feature that reduces steering effort when driving on a sloped or crowned road. Additional new Civic chassis features include Agile Handling Assist and an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Automatic Brake Hold.

Key Chassis Features

  • MacPherson strut front suspension
  • Multi-link rear suspension
  • Dual-Pinion, Variable Ratio Electric Power Steering (EPS)*^
  • Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)1 with Traction Control
  • 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)2 with Brake Assist
  • Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
  • Front and rear stabilizer bars
  • Fluid-filled suspension compliance bushings*
  • Straight Driving Assist
  • Agile Handling Assist*
  • Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Automatic Brake Hold*

* First for Civic
^ First for Honda

Chassis Summary

All Models

  • MacPherson strut front suspension
  • Multi-link rear suspension
  • Front and rear stabilizer bars
  • Front fluid-filled suspension bushings
  • Power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes
  • 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist
  • Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
  • Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)1 with Traction Control
  • Agile Handling Assist
  • Dual-Pinion Variable Ratio Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS)
  • Straight Driving Assist
  • Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Automatic Brake Hold
  • Hill Start Assist
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)3

Civic LX and LX-P

  • 16-inch machine-finished aluminum wheels
  • P215/55R16 all-season tires

Civic EX-T and EX-L

  • 17-inch aluminum wheels with aerodynamic shape and cut flanges
  • P215/50R17 all-season tires
  • Rear fluid-filled suspension bushings

Civic Touring

  • 17-inch aluminum wheels with cut flanges
  • P215/50R17 all-season tires
  • Rear fluid-filled suspension bushings

Front and Rear Suspension
The 2016 Civic suspension system provides agile and direct handling that puts the Civic at the top of its class, and in the league of benchmarked European luxury-class competitors. The system uses a combination of front MacPherson struts and an all-new rear multi-link with new rigid subframe. Using a strut-style front suspension improves the room available for crash reinforcement, and the multi-link rear suspension helps maximize second-row seating and cargo space – all while also providing outstanding handling characteristics and ride quality. Front and rear stabilizer bars on all trims improve turn-in response while reducing body roll during cornering. The stabilizer bars are bonded to their mounting bushings and use low-friction connecting links for smoother operation. The 2016 Civic Coupe has a 20mm (0.8 in) lower center of gravity, significantly helping to improve handling agility.

MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
The MacPherson strut front suspension is engineered to provide engaging performance and a responsive feel for the driver. Performance-calibrated geometry ensures a high degree of quickness and precision, smoothness and stability. The lower suspension arms are connected to the subframe and to the body via fluid-filled bushings, which provide the ideal combination of handling responsiveness and precision, along with maximum isolation from road noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). All front suspension arms and the front hub carriers are steel, and all Civic Coupe trims use a tubular front stabilizer bar. The LX-P trim and above have increased front roll stiffness to balance the additional weight of the sunroof and resultant increased inertia. Furthermore, a small increase in damping force controls that inertia and maintains ride quality. The Civic EX-T Coupe and above trims have front springs with a rate 15 percent stiffer than the LX and LX-P trims and the damping force is increased by 20 percent for more direct, agile handling response and body control. Due to the lighter alloy wheels on the Touring trim, the damping rates are specifically tuned for the reduced unsprung weight, increasing road isolation and providing a premium, direct feel.

Multi-Link Rear Suspension
The multi-link rear suspension includes stamped-steel arms, cast aluminum hub carriers and a stabilizer bar. Mounted on a rigid subframe, a first for Civic, the new rear suspension provides agile handling, both during normal driving and in emergency maneuvers, together with a flat ride. On the Civic EX-T and above trims the trailing arms are connected to the unibody by fluid-filled bushings for exceptional control of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) while maintaining precise handling.  The EX-T and above trims also have 20 percent stiffer rear springs and the damping force is increased by 90 percent to deliver high levels of body control and direct agile handling response. All Civic Coupe trims use a solid rear stabilizer bar for improved crisp turn-in and body roll control. As with the front suspension, the rear damping rates are specifically tuned for the reduced unsprung weight of the lighter Touring trim wheels.

Hydraulic Suspension Bushings
In a first for Honda, the 2016 Civic suspension uses fluid-filled bushings to provide superior ride isolation as well as chassis vibration control. All Civic models utilize front fluid-filled bushings and the EX-T and above trims additionally use rear fluid-filled bushings. These bushings are specifically tuned to provide minimum vibration transfer to the occupants, raising the new Civic to the top of its class in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction.

In front, the lower control arms pivot in the fluid-filled bushing, which is designed to absorb road harshness and vibration while still retaining the exacting precision required for sharp, nimble handling. For the front suspension only, a specially ventilated under-cover allows airflow to cool the bushings, ensuring more consistent performance in all ambient temperature conditions, as well as enhanced long-term durability.

An additional duct, located near the middle of the aluminum front under-panel, cools the engine's torque rod bushing, likewise reducing operating temperatures and ensuring longer performance.

Dual-Pinion, Variable Ratio Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS)
Another Civic first, the Electric Power Steering (EPS) incorporates dual pinion gears and a variable gear ratio for improved steering feel, performance and comfort that surpasses the class.

The dual pinion steering provides substantially improved feel compared to the previous-generation Civic. Compared to a traditional single-pinion steering system, the dual pinion EPS utilizes the physical steering input from the driver as well as from a supplemental electric motor. A non-contact torque sensor measures the driver's steering effort and an ECU determines how much electric motor assist to add, with the result being a seamless, natural feeling steering in all situations.

The steering ratio is variable over a 17-percent range with a final full off-center rotation ratio of 10.93:1. This provides a quick 2.2 turns lock-to-lock compared to 3.1 turns lock-to-lock for the previous Civic, significantly reducing hand movement and the steering effort required when parking or maneuvering. Also contributing to the enhanced steering performance and feel of the 2016 Civic Coupe, the steering mount stiffness is higher, and the 30mm steering column diameter (up from 22mm on the previous generation Civic) also provides greater stiffness.

Straight Driving Assist
A new Honda technology, Straight Driving Assist reduces the steering effort required when driving on a sloped or crowned road. When the Straight Driving Assist system detects that steering effort is being applied to keep the car driving along a slope, the Electric Power Steering system applies motor assist. This reduces the muscle effort required to maintain the desired direction on the sloped road to the same level as is required on a flat road.

4-wheel Disc Brakes with ABS, EBD and Brake Assist
In a first for Civic, all trims are equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes. All systems incorporate 4-channel ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist as standard equipment. The system provides a comfortable and refined feel at low speeds, predictable and easy operation on the highway, a sporty, fun-to-drive feel on winding roads, and a reassuring high-performance stopping in emergency situations. Compared to the previous-generation, the 2016 Civic's brakes require less pedal travel, provide a firmer pedal feel under normal conditions, and deliver greater efficiency.
The 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) independently modulates braking power at each wheel to help the driver retain steering control during heavy braking. The Brake Assist system recognizes emergency braking situations and almost instantly applies full braking force when appropriate to help shorten braking distance. (See the Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)

All 2016 Civic trims are equipped with 11.1-inch diameter ventilated front brake rotors (0.9-inch rotor thickness) clamped by single-piston brake calipers. The rear disc brakes incorporate 10.2-inch diameter solid rotors (0.4-inch rotor thickness) paired with single-piston brake calipers. The low-friction design of the brake calipers reduces energy losses when the

In another first for Civic, a 5-percent-larger master cylinder piston diameter (22.2mm vs. 20.6mm on the previous Civic) contributes to the short, firm pedal stroke and excellent feel, while also maintaining the power of the braking system.

Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)1 is an Electronic Stability Control system that works in conjunction with the Civic Coupe's Drive-by-Wire™ throttle and its 4-channel ABS systems to enhance control capability while the vehicle is accelerating, braking, cornering or when the driver makes a sudden maneuver.

VSA also provides a limited-slip differential effect for the driving wheels by applying braking force to a slipping wheel, thereby redirecting driving force to the wheel with more traction. While the driver can reduce the traction control effectiveness allowing more wheel slip during stuck condition by pressing the VSA button, ABS remains fully operational at all times. (See the Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)

Agile Handling Assist
A Civic first and standard on all trims, Agile Handling Assist selectively uses the vehicle's brakes to improve initial turning response and overall cornering ability. Agile Handling Assist utilizes brake vectoring to improve corner traceability and confident handling feel. By applying braking force to the inside wheels during cornering at high lateral G, the system creates a yaw moment, thus generating more turning force and reducing understeer.

Hill Start Assist
The Hill Start Assist function helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when the driver switches from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a hill. Hill Start Assist automatically activates when the vehicle senses a certain incline and is fully stopped in any forward gear when facing up hill or reverse gear when facing downhill. The system uses a longitudinal G-sensor along with a wheel speed sensor to control the hydraulic brake modulator. Hill Start Assist, when activated, will release the brakes when the driver depresses the throttle or if the driver doesn't press the accelerator after a few seconds.

Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
In a first for both the Honda Civic and its market segment, the standard Electric Parking Brake (EPB) is simpler, more convenient and comfortable to use than a traditional parking brake. The EPB also frees up center console space, allowing a higher console and an extended armrest length.

Engaging the parking brake now requires only a pull on a switch on the center console. To release the parking brake, the driver simply presses on the accelerator pedal (while the seatbelt is buckled) when the transmission is in Drive or Reverse, or else pushes on the parking brake switch while operating the brake pedal.

Besides promoting the use of the parking brake, EPB makes hill starts easier when the Civic is parked on a grade. As with a traditional manually activated parking brake, EPB functions on the rear wheels only. Electric servo actuators are integrated into the rear brake calipers. See the Comfort and Convenience section for more information.