New 2018 Honda Civic diesel  15 | 01 | 2018

HONDA HAS CONFIRMED its new 1.6-litre diesel engine, which will appear in the 2018 Civic range, will cost from £20,120 when it goes on sale at Scottish dealerships in March. (Related: Facelifted Honda Jazz includes new Sport)

The 1.6-litre i-DTEC can currently be ordered with a six-speed manual gearbox, but the range will be supplemented by a nine-speed automatic Civic diesel which will follow this summer.

First unveiled at last autumn’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the 118bhp diesel engine produces 300Nm of torque at 2000rpm, and covers 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds. (Related: Green light for Honda Urban EV)

Honda previously claimed the car can return 76.3mpg at the pumps, which is actually down on the previous model's economy. But what’s crucial is the new Civic diesel is one of the first cars to be tested on the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure.

This test uses real driving data instead of the lab-based tests the controversial NEDC cycle uses. Honda has yet to confirm the actual economy of the new diesel engine.

This new powerplant is a heavily revised version of the diesel found in the outgoing car. In addition to improving noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels, Honda engineers claim to also have reduced friction for greater efficiency.

The entry-level S is the first of four trim levels available in the new diesel Civic. The Civic SE diesel, which costs £20,220, is available on a PCP contract at £249 a month on a three-year contract.

Meanwhile, the range-topping EX trim, which includes leather interior, heated front seats, keyless entry and adaptive dampers, costs from £24,925. It can also be ordered with the optional £600 Tech Pack, which includes heated rear seats, wireless phone charging, plus LED head and foglights.

Related: Search for the latest pre-owned Honda cars in Scotland

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Jim McGill