A38 - North Shore News - Friday, January 11, 2013
REV
YOUR NORTH SHORE GUIDE to THE ROAD
Grinding Gears
Brendan McAleer
AstonMartin survives 100 wild years photo supplied
THE 2013 Honda Civic features some drastic revisions that distance it from the 2012 model that was panned by critics as being unexciting. The new model is more refined, stylish and sporty.
2013 Honda Civic
Honda revisits the Civic
Malcolm Gunn Contributing Writer
Columnist Brendan McAleer reviews the 2013 BMW 328i xDrive in next week’s Rev.
WELL, there’s nothing like a verbal poke in the eye to get your undivided attention. Not all that long ago, Honda announced the mid-2011 arrival of its 2012-model-year Civic. Fans of the brand seemed pleased, as evidenced by the upwardly pointing sales charts. However, the press and a certain advertising-free consumer magazine gave Honda a rough ride, reporting that the Civic had an uninspired look, unexciting handling and plasticky interior. Now, most automakers would have simply ignored those comments. Not so, Honda. Whether motivated by its competitive instincts or by a desire to simply do better (or both), it’s
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corner, which should help it meet new partial front-end crash-test standards. There’s high-strength steel in the A-pillars (that flank the windshield) and in the side sills below the doors. Changes have also been made to the suspension, steering and soundproofing materials to improve ride comfort, reduce cabin noise and create a sportier driving experience. Sedans and coupes equipped with the optional automatic transmission have also been fitted with larger front brake rotors. Honda has addressed concerns regarding the Civic’s interior by giving the dashboard a major makeover. There are now fewer visually irritating creases and angles and most plastic surfaces have been covered with richer-looking softtouch materials.
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introducing a heavily revised 2013 Civic sedan well ahead of schedule. What a difference just a single model year makes. Although the lower-volume Civic coupe has been generally left alone, the sedan’s adjustments include completely new front and rear bodywork encompassing a more prominent grille, restyled hood and new fog and corner lights. At the opposite end, a reshaped trunk lid and bumper are flanked by a fresh set of taillights. Additionally, all trim levels feature new wheel designs. The alterations don’t dramatically change the sedan’s appearance, but they do give it an unmistakably classier look, which is a good thing when competing for the hearts and wallets of compact car customers. Structurally, changes have been initiated to improve the Civic’s front-end collision protection, especially at each
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A few weeks ago, the wife and I managed to sneak off for a showing of the new Bond flick, Skyfall. I’m not in the movie reviewing business, but it has to be said: not too shabby, felt a bit like a watch commercial at times. Otherwise, this particular outing for Bond-James-Bond was marked for its “greatesthits” feel — a cavalcade of all the best bits of Bond we know and love. Bond fakes his death? Moneypenny shows up? Femme fatale with funny fingernails? Super-villain with a Supercuts hairstyle? Checks all around. Probably the best moment for me was when a somewhat weather-beaten Daniel Craig pulled open the door on a dimly-lit lockup to reveal a cloth-draped shape. Of course, we all knew what was underneath the dustcover, but even so, as the sheet came off, the audience all See Recurring page 42
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