THE 1998 HONDA CIVIC
SETS STANDARDS FOR VALUE, RIDE,
HANDLING IN SUBCOMPACT CLASS

Marking a quarter-century of sales in the U.S. market, the 1998 Honda Civic enters the new model year stronger than ever, with 1997 calendar year sales on track to be the best in its history.  The Civic's claim to fame is its affordability, utility, durability, performance and environmental benefits - which set the standards for the small car class and made it the best-selling small car in the I997 model year.  On top of that, the Civic is one of the best investments car buyers can make. According to a 1997 ADP Autosource survey, the Civic retains its resale value better than any other car sold in the United States. For example, a 1994 Civic retains 82.3 percent of its original selling price. The Civic is also a great value at the gas pump as one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles. The 1997 Civic HX posted the highest EPA mileage estimates of any 4-cylinder car sold in America, and both the manual and Continuously Variable Transmission HX models made fhe EPA's top ten list of 1997's highest mileage cars.

MANY CHOICES

Honda offers three Civic body styles and a variety of trim levels to meet the individual needs of drivers - all produced in North America. The Sedan is available in DX, LX and EX trim packages and features classic four-door styling with a chrome-accented grille.  The Civic Coupe conveys a youthful sportiness and is available in DX, HX and EX trim levels. The HX Coupe features Honda's innovative Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which combines the responsive performance and fuel economy of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic.  Honda's Civic Hatchback comes in CX and DX trim lines and features fun, smart styling with the convenience and utility of a rear hatch.  New for 1998, the DX, LX and EX Sedan and Coupe models have new wheel covers and EX models now come equipped with map lights. A new rear hatch handle has been added for all Hatchback models, and the EX Sedan now comes in a Cyclone Blue Metallic color.

ENGINES

The Civics are powered by a trio of fuel-efficient 1.6-liter,16-valve, 4-cylinder powerplants. The DX and LX Sedans, DX Coupe, and DX and CX Hatchbacks are powered by a 4-cylinder,16-valve, I06-horsepower engine that was the first gasoline engine to receive LEV (Low Emission Vehicle) certification from the California Air Resources Board.  Honda will voluntarily sell in all 50 states nearly 200,000 1998 Civics meeting California's stringent LEV standard. The California LEV standard is about 70 percent lower for NMOG (non-methane organic gases, the main ingredient in smog) than the most stringent federal standard.  The Civic HX Coupe is powered by a VTEC-E lean-burn engine that produces 1I5-horsepower, enabling it to be among the Environmental Protection Agency's mileage leaders with city/highway estimates of 36/44 mpg (manual transmission). Civic EX models are powered by a high-performance, 127-horsepower engine, that optimizes engine power through Honda's variable valve timing and lift electronic control (VTEC) system.  In addition to the CVT offered on the Civic HX Coupe, the Civics come with a standard slick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic. The electronically controlled automatic features a lockup torque converter and Honda's Grade Logic Control, which selects and holds the appropriate gear when going uphill or downhill to prevent gear "hunting."  All Civics ride on a 4-wheel double wishbone suspension for smooth handling.

AMENITIES

The Civic EX Sedan is one of the best values on fhe market with a long list of standard features, including four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), air conditioning, a remote entry system, power windows and door locks, cruise control, body-colored moulding and mirrors, and a power moonroof.  Dual air bags are standard on all models, and every Civic offers a rigid body with noise and vibration-damping materials, and energy-absorbing crush zones to absorb full frontal or rear barrier equivalent impacts of 35 mph. Civics also meet the latest federal standards for side-impact protection. Antilock brakes (ABS) are standard on the EX sedan and available on the EX Coupe model. 

MORE INFORMATION

The Civic Coupes and Sedans are built at Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., in East Liberty, Ohio, and Hatchbacks and Sedans are built at Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., in Alliston, Ontario, Canada.

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