2016 Civic Turbo - Chipped to 225 hp

RaceChip Malaysia is offering a plug-and-play engine performance upgrade for Civics that are powered by the new 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo engine. In its factory configuration, the mill provides 173 PS and 220 Nm (162 ft-lb) of torque.

RaceChip claims that it can increase the Civic’s engine output to now produce up to 225 PS and 285 Nm (210 ft-lb). This is done via the company’s RaceChip Ultimate module, which is connected to the car’s FCI connector.

For those that require a little less bump in power, there is the RaceChip Pro2 unit that is said to increase output up to 215 PS and 275 Nm (202 ft-lb). Both tuning chips will also provide improved fuel savings by one litre per 100 km, according to RaceChip.

Note, this forfeits your warranty, and I doubt the CVT can handle the power.

Civic Turbo vs. Non Turbo real world fuel mileage comparison test

From Car and Driver.

To sniff out the real-world differences, we tested two Honda Civic sedans, each with the CVT, but one with the 174-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and one with the 158-hp naturally aspirated 2.0-liter. By the EPA’s measure, the turbo Civic holds a 1-mpg edge on the highway with its 31/42-mpg ratings.

On a 300-mile loop of mixed highway, rural, and urban driving, the cars proved equally frugal by averaging 40 mpg. Digging deeper, we measured the steady-speed fuel consumption of the two Civics. Some of our results are astounding, such as the 50-plus-mpg both Civics achieve at 55 mph. The turbo wins across speeds ranging from 30 to 90 mph, with a 6-mpg advantage between 40 and 55 mph.

To generate the power required to maintain a particular cruising speed, any engine—small or large—must pump a corresponding amount of air. With equivalent gearing, the smaller engine requires a wider throttle opening to pump the same amount of air as a larger engine. Because pumping losses are lower with wider throttle openings, a smaller engine is more efficient.

Even at 90 mph, with the tach reading 2800 rpm, the turbo plays a minor role in cruise mode. This is precisely why nearly every carmaker will rely heavily on smaller-displacement, boosted engines to satisfy the fuel-economy mandate that requires a fleet-wide average of 54.5 mpg by 2025.

Spending the extra $1160 for the Honda’s turbo engine does have one clear advantage beyond efficiency: The additional power and torque clip 1.4 seconds from the zero-to-60-mph run and a full second off the quarter-mile time compared with the naturally aspirated alternative. But exceed the gentle, twinkle-toe throttle pressure we applied in our steady-speed tests and all efficiency bets are off. As boost rises, more fuel is injected and mileage drops. Precipitously.

Also from Car and Driver: To Blow or Not to Blow: Turbocharging vs. Natural Aspiration

 

2016 Honda Civic Coupe - 600hp AWD rally car

Honda Civic Debuts with Podium Finish in Phoenix

• Sebastian Eriksson captures third-place finish in the Honda Civic's debut
• First podium finish of the 2016 season for Olsbergs MSE
• Honda scores its first points in the Red Bull GRC Manufacturers' Championship

Olsbergs MSE, with driver Sebastian Eriksson, scored Honda its first podium finish in The Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship in the 2016 Honda Civic Coupe's first weekend of competition.

In Round One on Saturday, Joni Wiman and Eriksson advanced to the final via a pair of second-place finishes in the semi-finals and for Eriksson, the Last Chance Qualifier. In the final, Wiman and Eriksson battled through the 10-car field. Both drivers experienced contact throughout the race, but Wiman managed to finish sixth while Eriksson finished ninth.

Round Two action began early on Sunday with Eriksson and Wiman powering the 2.0 Liter turbocharged Red Bull Honda Civics around the .929 mile, 12-turn Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park circuit. They advanced to the final by way of second- and third-place finishes in the first semi final.

In the final, Eriksson started on the inside of the three-car second row with Wiman on the outside. On the first lap, Eriksson charged past Patrik Sandell for third while Wiman ran in fifth position. The teammates maintained their spots until the third lap when Wiman suffered mechanical damage, forcing him out of the race.

Eriksson held off Sandell in the turbocharged Honda Civic Coupe to capture third place and Honda's first podium in Red Bull GRC. The podium finish places Honda in a tie for second place in Red Bull GRC's season-long manufacturers' championship.

After the doubleheader weekend in Phoenix, Red Bull GRC heads to Dallas, Texas for the third round of the 12-race championship, June 4. Live coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. EST on NBC.

Sebastian Eriksson (#93 Red Bull Honda OMSE) on today's victory: "I am really happy to give Honda its first podium in Red Bull GRC. The team [Olsbergs MSE] worked through the night fixing the car after the damage from Saturday's race. It was an absolute team effort to get this finish, but we're not satisfied. Dallas will be a great track for us and the Red Bull [Honda] Civic."

Nicholas Lee (National Advertising Manager, American Honda Motor Co, Inc.): "This weekend was a thrill for Honda and Honda Performance Development. To achieve a podium finish in our first weekend in Red Bull GRC speaks volumes to the hard work put in by OMSE, Red Bull and Honda. We're looking forward to continuing our success at the upcoming Global Rallycross event in Dallas."

Plug-in Honda CR-V planned?

PHEVs not only help automakers fulfill their regulatory obligations but also can be cheaper to buy and own than basic hybrids, once the more generous government incentives are factored in, noted Dave Zuchowski, CEO of Hyundai Motor America.

Plug-in hybrids have been a rare bright spot in an otherwise dismal green-car industry. U.S. sales of PHEVs grew 40 percent in the first quarter of 2016, according to Edmunds.

Honda, with its recently announced goal of electrifying two-thirds of its vehicles by 2030, will also add plug-in hybrid variants of its core models, separate from its forthcoming Clarity line.

"Globally we're committed to offering a plug-in variant on our major core models in the future," John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., said in announcing the Clarity plans last month.

Honda's next-gen CR-V, due next year, is a likely candidate to get a plug-in hybrid variant.

It will share a platform with the current Civic and the next Accord, which is also due in 2017 and is also a likely landing spot for a PHEV powertrain.

2017 Honda CR-V artist render and more spy pictures

With this many spy pictures of the 2017 Honda CR-V and this low amount of camouflage on the car to hide the basic shape, I'd say the release date is closer than initial guesstimates.  Other site initially claimed the CR-V would be a 2018 model and go on sale in Spring of 2017.

This artist rendering is obviously the current model with some photoshopped details such as the new grill and hood cutout lines added.

In my opinion, this does not accurately represent the new shape hiding under the camo.  Looking at the side profile you can easily see some nicely rounded shoulders giving the new 2017 a wider looking and more muscular stance.  Current CR-V has very flat sides.  Compare the crease along the door handle areas.

Accurate powertrain and specs are still a total guess.  Expect to see the CVT in North America and the 9-speed continued in Europe.  1.6 Diesel in Europe and Asia should continue as well.