Improving ride quality and reducing noise levels has been a top priority for Honda engineers working on the 04 year Civic. Upgraded and more extensive noise insulation materials, as well as a front subframe dynamic damper have been employed to quell noise and vibration from all sources. Particular attention has been paid to reducing wind and road noise, engine noise at full throttle ? and even the stone chipping sound experienced when driving over loose surfaces.

The net result is a Civic which exhibits "class above" refinement, being superior to direct competitors and as smooth and quiet as many vehicles from the
D sector.

Changes to the spacious cabins have been aimed at delivering a lighter and more elegant ambience with careful co-ordination of colours and textures. Seats are finished in a new fabric and their shape has been improved for greater comfort. There is now more chrome-finished detailing, matched to a new centre console colour of Magnum Silver (applied to specific grades).

On Executive grades a new titanium leather interior with dark titanium centre console is also available. Other upgrades include a rear seat centre cup holder incorporated in the back of the armrest and a larger sized seat back pocket. Civic
3 door models are equipped with a sports steering wheel while 5 door models feature a new 4-spoke steering wheel with built in audio controls.

The Sport grade is distinguished with red seat inserts and red door panels (matched with black) and a steering wheel similar to that of the Type-R.

All Civic 5 door models now have self illuminated meters similar to those of the Honda Accord and Civic IMA, while all 3 door models now feature white dials. Most Civics now feature a combined trip / fuel consumption mpg display with an outdoor temperature readout.

All UK Civics now feature a larger boot volume thanks to the provision of a Spacesaver spare wheel throughout the range. Actual volume goes up by 55 litres for 3 door models and 45 litres for the 5 door, or 21% and 14% respectively.

The exciting and iconic Civic Type-R doesn?t go unchanged and new for 2004 are a lighter flywheel and clutch assembly. Reducing inertia makes the engine more responsive and coincidentally shaves 0.2 secs off the 0-62 mph time (now 6.6 sec). There are also new brake callipers that incorporate the Type-R logo for added exclusivity.

Door mirror-mounted indicators, a front spoiler similar to that on Sport models, a front grille unique to Type-R, and three light blue projector style headlamps complete the picture. Inside, there are now red seat inserts and door panels, as well as red headrest aperture, to further emphasise the car?s out and out sporty nature.

The Type R benefits considerably from the NVH (noise vibration and harshness) tuning applied to the whole range.

Sales of the 2004 Civic Type-R begin in February 2004.

A new top-of-the-range Civic 5 door model will be available from April 2004. As the name suggests, this 2.0 litre i-VTEC engined sports model incorporates Vehicle Stability Assist, and is designed to counteract understeer and oversteer tendencies through a combination of individual wheel braking and engine torque reduction. The Teves supplied system also incorporates a Drive By Wire (DBW) throttle and Traction Control.

The VSA model has several other dynamic attributes. These include a close ratio gearbox with 6% "shorter" fourth and fifth ratios to benefit acceleration, bigger (16 in) alloy wheels shod with 205/55-Series tyres and correspondingly bigger ventilated front brake discs.

When the current Civic range was first launched, it set new standards with its ability to combine excellent occupant protection with an unprecedented level of pedestrian safety. Specifically it combined a 4 star Euro NCAP occupant safety rating with a 3 star pedestrian result ? a feat which even now, only one other manufacturer has been able to emulate.

Whether petrol or diesel-powered, the Civic continues to set the standard for low fuel consumption (= low CO₂ emissions) by which other compact hatchbacks are judged.

The table below shows the revised Civic line up for 2004 together with a brief specification and equipment summary. Prices will be announced nearer to the November 2003 launch date.

• The Civic is easily Honda?s most successful model with cumulative world sales now well in excess of 15 million.
• The current generation Civic has been a resounding success, particularly in the UK and Europe. Last year the model achieved record British sales ? second only to the Ford Focus in the 3 door petrol category, and fourth overall in the
  5 door petrol sector. Since launch the Type-R has dominated the ultra-high performance hatchback class.
• Accolades for the current model have included winning the Japanese Car of The Year Award (2001), the What Car? Car of the Year Award Compact Class (2001), in addition to "Hot Hatchback" awards for the Civic Type-R from What Car? (2002 and 2003) and Top Gear (2002). Additionally the Civic was a strong influence in Honda winning a special Award ? for the protection of pedestrians ? presented to Honda by the AA in February this year.
• All Civic 3 and 5 door models sold in Europe are built at Honda?s European car plant at Swindon. Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd (HUM) plays an important role in Honda?s Global supply network, exclusively supplying the 3 door Civic to Europe, Japan and North America.