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Honda Civic (second generation)
Encyclopedia
The 1980 Civic
debuted with a more angular shape, increased engine power, and larger dimensions in all models. The wheelbase now measured 88.6 inches (2,250 mm) for the hatchback (the two-door "sedan" was dropped) and 91.3 inches (2,319 mm) for the wagon. The Civic engines came in cross flow and CVCC design depending on the market they were sold in; the base 1335 cc ("1300") CVCC engine made 55 hp (41 kW), while the 1488 cc ("1500") CVCC engine produced 67 hp (50 kW). Three transmissions were offered: a four-speed manual
(on base models), a five-speed manual and a three-speed automatic
.
The Civic 1300 and 1500 came in base and DX versions, and the latter featured a five-speed manual transmission, partial cloth seats, carpet, rear window defroster, intermittent wipers, and a cigarette lighter. The 1500 GL added radial tires, a rear window wiper/washer, tachometer, clock, and body side moldings. The Civic wagon came in a single version that was similar to the DX trim level.
In 1980 a three-box
four-door sedan debuted, as did a three-speed automatic transmission that replaced the aging two-speed unit fitted to the first generation Civic. Rectangular headlamps and black bumpers appeared on the 1982 Civic. The 5 door hatchback became the Honda Quint
in Japan and was introduced at Japanese dealership sales channel called Honda Verno. A high luxury content version of the sedan was called the Honda Ballade
, and joined the Quint in Japan. A new highly efficient gasoline-sipping I4
model, the five-speed "FE" (Fuel Economy) was introduced and was rated at 41 miles per US gallon in the city and 55 miles per US gallon on the highway. The slogan for 1983 was We Make It Simple. Even the standard 1500 cc model achieves 34 miles per US gallon city, and 47 miles per US gallon highway when driven 55 mi/h, the maximum U.S. speed limit at the time (California mileage ratings). It was produced in the Mercedes-Benz
plant in East London, South Africa and sold as the Honda Ballade
.
A sport-oriented Civic "S" was introduced in 1983 and was fitted with firmer suspension (with rear stabilizer bar) and 165/70R13 Michelin tires. A red accent encircled the S and set it apart from other Civics as well as a black grille and blackout paint around the window frames. This model was fitted with two different motors. In some markets it was fitted with a high performance 1335cc EN4, which was of traditional cross-flow design, and was fitted with twin Keihin CV carburettors, and the same camshaft that was fitted to the earlier 1st generation GL models. The twin carburettors shared much in common with the legendary RS models of the mid-70s, using the same intake manifold, however Honda updated the configuration by fitting twin velocity stacks to help increase bottom-end and mid-range response. The Civic "S" was available in Red, and in Black. The Civic platform also spawned a new car, with an emphasis on performance, called the Honda Prelude
.
A re-styled saloon version of this model was also sold in Europe, badged as the Ballade. This model was also made under licence by British Leyland, badged as the Triumph
Acclaim
, featuring new front and rear styling, as well as a revised interior.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
debuted with a more angular shape, increased engine power, and larger dimensions in all models. The wheelbase now measured 88.6 inches (2,250 mm) for the hatchback (the two-door "sedan" was dropped) and 91.3 inches (2,319 mm) for the wagon. The Civic engines came in cross flow and CVCC design depending on the market they were sold in; the base 1335 cc ("1300") CVCC engine made 55 hp (41 kW), while the 1488 cc ("1500") CVCC engine produced 67 hp (50 kW). Three transmissions were offered: a four-speed manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
(on base models), a five-speed manual and a three-speed automatic
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
.
In 1980 a three-box
Three-box styling
Three-box design is a broad automotive styling term describing a coupé, sedan, notchback or hatchback where — when viewed in profile — principal volumes are articulated into three separate compartments or boxes: engine, passenger and cargo....
four-door sedan debuted, as did a three-speed automatic transmission that replaced the aging two-speed unit fitted to the first generation Civic. Rectangular headlamps and black bumpers appeared on the 1982 Civic. The 5 door hatchback became the Honda Quint
Honda Quint
The Honda Quint is a subcompact car manufactured by Honda Motor Co. Ltd. of Japan. It was introduced in 1980 in Japan as an upscale Honda Civic 4-door hatchback, and joined the Honda Prelude, Honda Ballade, and Honda Vigor at the then newly established Japanese dealership sales channel called Honda...
in Japan and was introduced at Japanese dealership sales channel called Honda Verno. A high luxury content version of the sedan was called the Honda Ballade
Honda Ballade
The Honda Ballade was a subcompact automobile built by Honda of Japan. It began as a four-door version of the Civic in 1980. The Ballade was developed at the same time the Honda Vigor appeared, which was a higher content Honda Accord...
, and joined the Quint in Japan. A new highly efficient gasoline-sipping I4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
model, the five-speed "FE" (Fuel Economy) was introduced and was rated at 41 miles per US gallon in the city and 55 miles per US gallon on the highway. The slogan for 1983 was We Make It Simple. Even the standard 1500 cc model achieves 34 miles per US gallon city, and 47 miles per US gallon highway when driven 55 mi/h, the maximum U.S. speed limit at the time (California mileage ratings). It was produced in the Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
plant in East London, South Africa and sold as the Honda Ballade
Honda Ballade
The Honda Ballade was a subcompact automobile built by Honda of Japan. It began as a four-door version of the Civic in 1980. The Ballade was developed at the same time the Honda Vigor appeared, which was a higher content Honda Accord...
.
A sport-oriented Civic "S" was introduced in 1983 and was fitted with firmer suspension (with rear stabilizer bar) and 165/70R13 Michelin tires. A red accent encircled the S and set it apart from other Civics as well as a black grille and blackout paint around the window frames. This model was fitted with two different motors. In some markets it was fitted with a high performance 1335cc EN4, which was of traditional cross-flow design, and was fitted with twin Keihin CV carburettors, and the same camshaft that was fitted to the earlier 1st generation GL models. The twin carburettors shared much in common with the legendary RS models of the mid-70s, using the same intake manifold, however Honda updated the configuration by fitting twin velocity stacks to help increase bottom-end and mid-range response. The Civic "S" was available in Red, and in Black. The Civic platform also spawned a new car, with an emphasis on performance, called the Honda Prelude
Honda Prelude
The Honda Prelude was a sports coupe produced by Japanese automaker Honda from 1978 until 2001. It replaced the Honda S800, a front-engined, front wheel drive sports car...
.
A re-styled saloon version of this model was also sold in Europe, badged as the Ballade. This model was also made under licence by British Leyland, badged as the Triumph
Triumph Motor Company
The Triumph Motor Company was a British car and motor manufacturing company. The Triumph marque is owned currently by BMW. The marque had its origins in 1885 when Siegfried Bettmann of Nuremberg initiated S. Bettmann & Co and started importing bicycles from Europe and selling them with his own...
Acclaim
Triumph Acclaim
The Triumph Acclaim was a front-wheel drive medium-sized family car made by British Leyland from 1981 to 1984. It was based on the Honda Ballade and used a Honda-designed engine, but met United Kingdom component-content requirements...
, featuring new front and rear styling, as well as a revised interior.