Honda Civic RS Turbo axed in Thailand for e:HEV hybrid variant 

According to a report, the Honda Civic RS Turbo will be dropped from the Honda Thailand model lineup. This is a surprisingly quick life cycle for the said variant as it was introduced only a year ago in the Southeast Asian region. 

The Honda Civic RS e:HEV

If you visit the official Honda Thailand website, the new top-spec variant appears to be the 2022 Honda Civic RS e:HEV. Of note, this also confirms our report penned back in March 2022, that a hybrid Civic version will indeed be launched in the ASEAN region.

As its name suggests, the Civic RS e:HEV is hybrid. Specifically, it uses a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine paired with two electric motors. Honda is yet to confirm actual power outputs, but if we took into account the European version launched three months ago, this electrified version of the Thai-spec Civic might be able to produce up to 181 horsepower and 315 Nm of torque. 

Also, another report that is yet to be confirmed states that it can even churn out more at 212 horsepower and 315 Nm of torque. To be certain of this, we’ll just have to wait for the official launch of the hybrid Civic variants in Thailand.

And yes, there are actually two versions of the Civic hybrid. As mentioned, there’s the Civic RS e:HEV. There’s also Civic e:HEV EL+ which upon launch will stand as the model's new mid-spec variant. The good ol’ 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that’s capable of making 175 horsepower and 240Nm of torque meanwhile, will be retained in other lower-spec variants in Thailand. 

But as one can see, this hybrid Civic version is projected to be a bit more powerful than the 1.5-liter turbo variants. On top of that though, Honda also says that it can deliver a fuel economy rating of more than 20 km/l. 

Can the new hybrid Civic replace the Philippine-spec Civic RS Turbo? 

Moreover, the Civic RS e:HEV is similarly specced as the RS Turbo when it comes to on-board features. For starters, the new hybrid top-spec variant is also fitted with the latest Honda Sensing driver-assist safety suite. It will also come with a nine-inch headunit that features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The downside to this though is that the new Civic RS e:HEV is priced at around Php 1.950 million at current exchange rates. That’s around Php 108,000 more compared to the Thai-market price of the Civic RS Turbo.  

Lastly, Honda Cars Philippines, which has just launched the 11th-gen Civic last year, is yet to indicate if they’re also bringing in the Civic RS e:HEV. But how about you? Would you want to see it replace the Civic RS Turbo? 

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