The year was 1996 and all of a sudden Honda Civic was a status symbol; the same status symbol that Honda Civic still enjoys and what Toyota Corolla could never get back. This is how it all started.
In 1996 when Honda launched their second generation in Pakistan (sixth generation in world) it was Civic EK that made Civic what it is in Pakistan today. EK was launched in late 1995 and the cars started coming at dealerships in January 1996. It was the first car which was offered with clear lens headlights (known as crystal lights); The top of the line VTi variant had keyless remote entry (not inbuilt with the key but as a separate remote) and the receiver of that remote was proudly displayed in the cabin next to the rear view mirror; VTi also had a power antenna on trunk (which was unheard of till then); six cds changer in the trunk, factory fitted 14 inch Alloy Wheels with Dunlop 185 width tyres and the engine was a 1.6 Liter PGMFi VTEC which was marketed as same technology used in formula one cars. All of these things were unheard of before and these were the things which made Civic the coolest status symbol dream for everyone.
Keyless entry receiver
Honda initially launched civic in three variants namely LXi, EXi & VTi. LXi & EXi were 1.5 liter PFMFi engines while the top of the line VTi had 1.6 Liter PGMFi VTEC engine.
LXi was the basic model which didn’t even have air-condition, it had manual windows with black bumpers and was only available in White and Black as color options. EXi was the middle tier variant which had all the powered goodies except for the extra stuff that VTi had. LXi didn’t receive a very good response from the public because Civic was the status symbol and nobody wanted the basic variant so it was later discontinued and SXi was introduced to replace it; SXi had colored bumpers, metallic colors and air-condition as standard however other than that the car was pretty much basic and that is why even SXi couldn’t do well which is why then Honda continued with EXi & VTi only and later Honda City was launched as a replacement to basic variants of Civic.
EK was also the first Pakistan assembled car to have factory fitted automatic transmission, after the success of EK in Pakistan Honda offered EXi with automatic transmission in March 1996 and it was also loved and praised by all after which VTi was also offered with the option of automatic transmission later in October of same year.
In 1999 Honda launched the facelift version of EK and that was the time another status symbol Oriel was born; Honda started offering Sunroof in their top of the line VTi and the car with sunroof was marketed as Oriel (which is still being carried even after 15 years). Oriel was also the first Pakistan assembled car that came with a sunroof which added to the larger than life image of civic and made it even grander. Honda did a lot of marketing and the tag line of “a roof with a view” was used.
One More thing (yes I’m trying to copy Steve Jobs here)
The last thing which was offered as factory fitted in EK was Factory fitted leather seats; in 2000 Honda added another option in EK which was of black leather seats however this time Toyota was able to beat Honda since they started offering Corolla with optional leather seats in 1999 however the Honda element to leather seats was in the leather seats the rear seat had separate head rests which was once again another first timer in Pakistan assembled car.
EK was offered in following colors
Pre-Facelift – Cashmere Metallic (Champagne); White; Silver; Black; Bottle Green; Navy Blue; Maroon; IN (Turquoise)
Post-Facelift – Shalimar Rose (Rose Mist); White; Silver; Black; Bottle Green; Navy Blue; Maroon; Aqua
EK is one of my most favorite civics and the credit of what civic is today all goes to Civic EK.
Just one guy’s opinion
OA
No comments:
Post a Comment