Test Drives

Honda Cars Philippines believes the all-new 10th generation Civic will restore it to its once prime status as the top-of-mind Japanese compact sedan. During its launch in April, the buzz was that it's the sportiest-looking Civic yet, and the promise of a turbo engine producing Accord-like power got many motoring jornos looking forward to getting to get a hold of one for a test drive. Many got the chance with an invite to try out the two variants of the Honda Civic in Bohol.

When Honda Cars Philippines unveiled the all-new 10th generation Civic back in April, it generated a buzz of excitement among Honda loyalists still longing for the days when the Civic ruled the compact sedan market.

The 10th generation Civic looked to provide all that made it known as the pocket rocket in early glory years . . . a sporty design that lent itself well to customizing . . . and a rev-happy engine that made it fun to drive.

More than the fastback design . . . what created the most buzz was the turbo-charged 1.5 VTEC engine that promised as much horsepower and torque as the 2-liter engine powering the Accord.

The question uppermost in the minds of the motoring media at the launch was: When are we going to get to test drive the turbocharged Civic?

That question was answered soon enough for many who found themselves arriving at the Tagbilaran airport and then seeing all-new Civics - both of the Turbo RS and the 1.8E variety - waiting for them at the airport parking lot . . .

Masano Kataoka, Honda Cars Philippines senior assistant vice president and adviser for the Sales Division, explains the objectives of the event.

At the airport, the lucky invitees to Honda's Civic Test Drive in Bohol lost no time finding their assigned unit and loading their gear in the trunk . . .