Honda has updated its Civic hybrid with a new simulated gear-shifting system and additional equipment for the ‘Sport‘ trim level.
The changes bring Honda’s ‘S+ Shift’ tech, first introduced on the new Prelude coupé, to the Civic Sport and Advance models. The system is designed to make the driving experience more engaging by imitating the gear changes of a conventional automatic transmission.
The update follows the recent retirement of the high-performance Civic Type R from the UK market. Although the Civic ‘Sport’ has a sportier appearance, it retains the same hybrid powertrain as the rest of the range and is not a direct replacement for the Type R.
Simulated eight-speed transmission
Honda’s ‘S+ Shift’ tech uses software to simulate an eight-speed automatic gearbox, despite the Civic’s hybrid powertrain having no conventional stepped transmission.
The system adjusts engine speed and power delivery to create the sensation of changing gears, accompanied by synthesised engine sounds through the car’s audio system.
Drivers can select the simulated gears using paddles behind the steering wheel, which otherwise control regenerative braking. The system also imitates rev-matched downshifts, including changes to engine braking.
S+ Shift is fitted as standard to the ‘Sport’ and ‘Advance’ trims, but is not included on the entry-level ‘Elegance’ model.
More equipment for Civic Sport
Alongside S+ Shift, the Civic ‘Sport’ gains a revised interior with red contrast stitching on the front seats, steering wheel, centre armrest and door trims.
Red detailing has also been added around the dashboard’s front air vent grille, while a gloss-black shark-fin aerial distinguishes the updated ‘Sport’ from the outside. The revised trim grade also includes a 12-speaker Bose Centrepoint sound system as standard.
Elsewhere, all Civic models gain a driver monitoring camera mounted on the interior A-pillar. This forms part of Honda’s Sensing driver assistance package and monitors whether the driver is paying attention to the road.
A new ‘Meteoroid Grey’ metallic paint finish also joins the colour range, alongside four existing options.
UK pricing and availability
The updated Honda Civic is available to order now, with prices starting at over £34k. Honda has not specified the individual prices of the upgraded ‘Sport’ and ‘Advance’ versions in its announcement.
The Honda Civic currently holds a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 72%. Strong media scores, good safety results and excellent reliability performance combine to make it one of the most accomplished family hatchbacks currently on sale.
