iPhone 5s can control new Honda Civic's dashboard
Honda has announced a new iPhone 5s compatible interface will be fitted to the upcoming Civic
Honda has announced the facelifted Civic due in 2014 will feature a new ‘Display Audio’ system, which will be compatible with Apple's iPhone range, including the iPhone 5s and budget 5c. The firm made the announcement over a Google Hangout yesterday.
The new system features a seven-inch touchscreen in the centre console, which is operated by swipes and movements similar to those used for the Apple iPhone. Passengers can access maps, personal contacts and media via the new system.
Alongside the new system, Honda announced new iPhone apps will be available, allowing passengers to take full advantage of the new interface. HondaLink Connect is the first of the apps, which allows passengers to view points of interest around them as well as checking key information about the car.
HondaLink Aha provides access to cloud-based services, which can be viewed and controlled from the seven-inch touchscreen. There is also a HondaLink Navigation app priced at $59.99 (£36), which again allows passengers to control the app directly on the cars touchscreen.
Sales for the ninth-generation facelifted Honda Civic will start at the beginning of 2014. Although the Civic is not available as a hybrid model like some of its rivals, it is still very efficient. There’s a choice of four engines on the Civic, with the petrol motors coming in the shape of a 1.4-litre i-VTEC able to return 52.3mpg and a more powerful 1.8-litre i-VTEC returning 48.7mpg.
Unsurprisingly, the most popular Civic models are fitted with the diesel engines. The 1.6-litre diesel motor is the most efficient of the bunch, returning a claimed 78.5mpg and emitting only 94g/km of CO2, making it exempt from road tax. The larger 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel engine is still good for 67.3mpg but emits more CO2 at 110g/km.
Pricing for the facelifted Civic starts from £16,995 and rises to £28,990.
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