As we get closer to the FMC (Full Model Change) of the 2012 Civic, we've been hearing a little bit more about the updated engine family. First of all, the K24 that we've been telling you about for nearly a year is locked in. We've known about it for a long while, and we've also understood that it will be very similar to the TSX's K24 (complete with the tuner-unfriendly cast-in exhaust manifold), but the question mark has been "how much power will it develop?". Assuming our sources are correct, the upsized engine will develop power levels that are very close to what the current Si's K20Z3 is developing. We don't know the exact number but it sounds like the rating is going to be in the range of 200-210hp. Obviously, with 20% more displacement we can expect the torque output to be significantly better than what the K20 delivers; it will likely be in the neighborhood of 170lb-ft, as it is with the TSX.

In other Civic engine news, we're hearing that the non-Si Civic models will march forward with the same fuel-sipping 1.8L R18 engine that was introduced with the 8th generation models. We don't currently have any information concerning potential changes to the rated output but you can bet Honda will figure out a way to squeeze more fuel efficiency from it.

The 2012 Civic will appear in showrooms in the April/May 2011 timeframe. One more item of interest concerning the 2012 Civic that we learned from our own forums is that Honda is reportedly planning an HF trim level - it will apparently only be offered in sedan form with your choice of gray or white exterior color. Also, apart from the Si, the only Civic sedan trim levels offered with manual transmissions will be DX and LX. The 5MT will also be offered in the EX trim level for Coupe models, though. And finally, here is a list of colors for 2012:

CRYSTAL BLACK PEARL
DYNO BLUE PEARL
URBAN TITANIUM METALLIC
COOL MIST METALLIC
POLISHED METAL METALLIC
CRIMSON PEARL
ALABASTER SILVER METALLIC
TAFFETA WHITE
RALLYE RED
SUNBURST ORANGE PEARL

Related Links

Rumor: Next generation (2012) Civic Si to have 2.4L? And other 9th gen Civic tidbits. - May 19, 2010

New Civic Si - K24 rumor gains credibility - November 1, 2010

Last edited by JeffX on February 02, 2011 15:26