Honda Civic GX

Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1998-present
Class	Subcompact (1998-2000) Compact (2001-present)
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout

First generation Production 1998-2000 Assembly East Liberty, Ohio Platform Sixth-generation Honda Civic Engine 1.6L I4 Transmission 4-speed automatic Wheelbase 103.2 in (2,621 mm) Length 175.1 in (4,448 mm) Width 67.1 in (1,704 mm) Height 54.7 in (1,389 mm) Related Acura EL Honda CR-V Honda/Acura Integra Isuzu Gemini Honda Domani Second generation Production 2001-2005 Assembly East Liberty, Ohio Platform Seventh-generation Honda Civic Engine 1.7L I4 Transmission CVT Wheelbase 103.1 in (2,619 mm) Length 174.6 in (4,435 mm) (2001-03) 175.4 in (4,455 mm) (2004-05) Width 67.7 in (1,720 mm) Height 56.9 in (1,445 mm) Related Acura EL Honda CR-V Honda Element Acura/Honda Integra Acura RSX/Honda Integra DC5 Honda Civic Hybrid Third generation Production 2006-present Assembly East Liberty, Ohio '06~'08 Greensburg, Indiana '09~present Platform Eighth-generation Honda Civic Engine 1.8L I4 Transmission 5-speed automatic Wheelbase 106.3 in (2700 mm) Length 176.7 in (4470 mm) (2006-08) 177.3 in (4503 mm) (2009-) Width 69.0 in (1750 mm) Height 56.5 in (1420 mm) Related Acura CSX Honda CR-V Honda Element Acura RSX/Honda Integra DC5 Honda Civic Hybrid

The Honda Civic GX is a passenger car factory-built to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). The GX is based on the Honda Civic and is available for fleet sales in all 50 states in the US. It is also available for retail sale in four U.S. markets, California, New York, Utah and Oklahoma. The Civic GX is expected to be available for retail sales throughout the U.S. in 2012. The GX is manufactured in Honda's Greensburg, Indiana plant together with the production of conventional Civics.

For eight years in a row the Civic GX has been rated first in the "Greenest Vehicle of the Year" list elaborated by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. For 2011 The GX classified ahead of the two recently launched plug-in electric vehicles, the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt.

History

The Honda Civic GX first appeared in 1998 as a factory-modified Civic LX that had been designed to run exclusively on CNG (compressed natural gas). In 1998 the Civic GX cost $4500 more than a comparable Civic LX. The car looks and drives just like a contemporary Honda Civic LX, but does not run on gasoline. In 2001, the Civic GX was rated the cleanest-burning internal combustion engine in the world by the EPA.

The GX was first leased to the City of Los Angeles to be used by parking enforcement officers and other city employees as a live beta test. The GX follows the same model year design changes as the Civic LX model, until the model year 2001 when a CVT (continuously variable transmission) was introduced in place of the 4 speed automatic transmission. In the 2006 year model, the GX again was equipped with the automatic 5 speed transmission, which increased its mileage and extended its range to 250 miles.

In 1999 the GX was available for special order in some states to consumers (Colorado in particular).

In 2006, the Civic went through its greatest modification since its inception. All variants of the Civic were awarded the 2006 Motor Trend "Car of the Year" award. The 8th generation Civic remains unchanged from 2006 and is also available in the GX model. The GX is a very limited-availability car with fewer than a thousand units per year being produced by the factory.

In October 2006, the 2007 Civic GX became available in New York. In July 2009, the GX became available to the public in Utah. In April 2010 the GX became available to the public in Oklahoma. The CNG Civic is this market relates to favorable natural gas costs and the numerous high pressure filling stations. The promotion of CNG conversions by natural gas producers headquartered in Oklahoma provided incentive for Honda to market the Civic GX there. State of Oklahoma incentives are available and are also a factor that led United Parcel Service to convert part of their delivery truck fleet to CNG. Since December 2010, the GX is available for fleet sales in all 50 states. Nationwide retail sales are scheduled to begin in 2012.

Since 2004 and until 2011, Honda Civic GX has been rated first in the "Greenest Vehicle of the Year" list elaborated by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. For 2011 The GX classified ahead of the recently launched Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle Chevrolet Volt, and tied with the plug-in electric vehicle Nissan Leaf.

Specifications

Rear view of the 2010 Honda Civic GX with the blue diamond CNG sticker and Honda's NGV (Natural Gas Vehicle) Emblem on the rear door.

The GX was originally introduced with a 1.6 liter I4 engine. The 2001 model make-over carried a 1.7 liter engine. Beginning in model-year 2006, the 1.8 liter inline four-cylinder engine was introduced to the Civic lineup.

Compression in the Civic GX is 12.5:1, higher than that of most US pump gasoline-powered automobiles. The significantly higher compression ratio is usable without detonation due to the 130-octane natural gas that powers the car. Acceleration of the 2010 Civic GX is significantly less than that of the comparable 4-door 2010 LX model due to both lower power (113 hp vs. 140 hp) and heavier weight (2910 lbs vs 2652 lbs). Zero-to-sixty times have been clocked at 12.6 seconds.

The CNG cylinder (fuel tank) is carried in the trunk of the car and holds 8.0 GGE (Gasoline Gallon Equivalent) at 3600 psi.

Range on a full 3600 psi fill is variable, depending on driving conditions and driving technique. While Honda claims an estimated 225–250 miles from a full CNG tank charge, independent tests have found a lower ranges, at 180–200 miles and "just over 200 miles" (about 300km). The EPA rates the 2009 Honda Civic GX at 24 equivalent MPG city and 36 equivalent MPG highway. Independent tests with mixed driving usage found rates of "nearly 32" and 26.8 equivalent MPG. The estimated fuel cost for this vehicle to drive 25 miles for a combination of city and highway driving is $1.47 using CNG. The GX qualifies for HOV Lane access in California, Arizona, Utah, and other states.

Home Refueling

Home refueling is available for the GX with the addition of the Phill Home Refueling Appliance. This unit attaches to a home or commercial natural gas source, and compresses the gas into the car's tank through an attached hose. The unit requires a 240V power source, and uses 800 watts when in operation.

The Phill had been made by the Honda-controlled Canadian firm FuelMaker until April 2009, when Honda forced the company into receivership and manufacturing ceased. By the end of May, FuelMaker's assets were sold to a New York-based company, Fuel Systems Solutions. FSS now manufactures the Phill through its Italian subsidiary BRC under the new brand BRC FuelMaker, and markets and services it in the US through the California-based company IMPCO.

See also

• Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
• Compressed Gas Association (Compressed Gas Association)
• Compressed Natural Gas (Compressed Natural Gas)

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