The diesel version of Honda’s latest Civic will be priced from £20,120.
That’s £1,230 more than the entry level 1.0 litre turbo petrol model, and within £25 of its biggest rival, the Ford Focus diesel.
The 1.6 litre engine is an overhauled version of the diesel unit from the previous Civic.
It produces 118bhp and official fuel economy is 76.3mpg, with CO2 emissions at 99g/km.
The Civic diesel also adds a new trim to the UK range. Beneath the SE and SR trims currently offered with the petrol, the 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel is available in an entry-level S trim.
Honda claims the engine will be more refined and quieter than before, thanks to greater rigidity through the use of more cast ribs on the cylinder block.
The diesel Civic goes on sale next month.
Later in the year we’ll see a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine in the Civic, which produces a hefty 180bhp. Honda will also introduce its excellent nine-speed auto into the Civic.
