Sadly, I'm about 9 months from a new car purchase. I'd love to be able to get a diesel made by a manufacturer known for reliability.

Why not a turbo diesel here in da States, yo? And they look better than the model sold here. No brainer. Please, Honda, please!!

WOW THIS THING IS BRUTIFUL

iCDTi:
i (lowercase) is to the 2000s what 'X' was to the 90s.

Also, not sure if I like the lines, but that thing definitely looks like it's from the future.

Oh, what I wouldn't give to drive a great Civic hatchback again!

In what sense is this car a prototype? The Diesel Civic in on sale throughout Europe

@rognbrow: maybe its a prototype of a US-emissions-compliant version?

though, if that was all they were doing, why wouldn't they just hide it under a plain-wrapper US Spec Civic body?

@smokyburnout: Maybe it's going on sale in Europa first, so they figured on killing 2 birds with one stone and testing a US-compliant diesel in a Euro-spec Civic? I dunno, just throwing out ideas. Or maybe they had tested it over there with Euro specs and it was just easier to bring it over here to do the US tweaks?

@rognbrow: What smokyburnout said. Our ULSD is different than the diesel in Europe and same motor will yield different performance depending on which diesel standard they have in the tank.

For example, older diesel motors (say, 2006) sold in the US will be less fuel efficient on ULSD. So instead of 54MPG out of your Golf TDI, you'll get 50MPG.

@PeteJäyhawk™:
Doubtful, those were everywhere in England when I was there last month. Saw several diesels, not sure if it had the exact same motor though.

This is interesting.

[www.autoweek.com]

I can't wait for there to be more diesel options here in the states! I loved my Jetta TDI (too bad I totaled it) and I've always dreamed of having an older diesel Mercedes as my fun car. As for a primary car, I saw many diesel Honda Accords in Europe... Please give me a DIESEL ACURA TSX!!!

From the original Clean MPG forum post: "I would like to thank Honeywell for their turbo-diesel presentation as well as supplying the European based turbo-diesels for the ride and drive." So it isn't Honda that brought it over here.

Anyway, since this vehicle is only Euro IV-compliant, does it have any similarity to the diesel(s) Honda plans to bring here?

I drove the Euro-spec Accord (Acura TSX) in the US (Bosch demo car for work) with the 2.2L iCTDi diesel motor and manual trans. It was EXCELLENT! I was also given an Audi A6 Quattro and BMW 335d M-sport, but it was the Honda that I most coveted. Smooth, quiet, responsive, and gusty torque. Plus, it's a Honda, so you know it will run forever with minimal maintenance.

And for the hoons, I also got the 535d up to the high side of 140 with no fuss...

@ZeGerman: And to be clear, the Audi and BMW were both diesels, which is why I previously mentioned them...

Have one gift-wrapped and sent to my rooms immediately.

I can't believe it...just back from the UK and this hot thing on 4 wheels was everywhere. I kept saying how much I wanted it and now it may actually happen..and it's diesel? Pinch me...

Fifth Gear had a road test of this model a couple of years ago. It may still be available on the web.

@smokyburnout: of course, I was forgetting that you Diesel emission standards are so much different from ours. I remain unconvinced by the Euro-Civics design, it works better as a 3 door (which this is) than the 5 door but I think it is dating quickly

@ ROGNBROW

Look closer, that's a 5 door Civic. Totally cool!

Imagine, a stock Honda with torque!

Sweet, what great news, hopefully it will be hear sooner rather than later. The Euro Civic look so much better than the US version and diesel as well.

Just a shame I have just got myself a civic hybrid.

Some other blog about autos posted a link to Toyota's blog, and they're talking a lot of shit about diesel: [blogs.toyota.com]

I suspect this particular vehicle is just a grey import by a dealer for "test" purposes or, by a consular official or some such. While it is no longer possible to sell new US-spec diesels with emissions worse than T2B8 even in the non-CARBified states, there maybe a few teeny loopholes to bring over a Euro-spec diesel with DPF - especially if it's "used", won't be sold on and its sojourn in the land of the free is limited. You should consult with a lawyer before doing anything rash, though.

I'd be surprised if Honda decided to produce a T2B5 version of a diesel engine this small. Then again they do have their own aftertreatment technology based on a combination of PCCI and ad-hoc production of ammonia - as opposed to urea injection a la MB's Bluetec.

I will 100% buy this if it comes out in Canada. By then my VW Golf TDI will have died many deaths and I'll be looking for a reliable automobile.

I just want to point out that the 1995 Honda Civic VX 3 Door, with a gasoline VTEC engine, had/has a 45 MPG city, 55 MPG highway rating. In real world driving they achieve those numbers.

They have plenty of pickup too. Shame they aren't produced anymore.

@rgseidl: Dealers or consular officials can get manufacturer plates?

Yeah, any website that ends in CH is Swiss like ES is Spain, CZ Czech Republic, etc. Bonus points to whoever knows what CH means ;)

C = confederation H = Helvetic

@pdxgrease:
Awesome, you win a hooker. 70 Euros is pretty decent in Spain. They're all tested, I promise!