HONDA has launched its first-ever CVT transmission offering more performance than anyone else's similar transmission system. The Honda continuously variable transmission is linked to a powerful 1.6-litre VTEC engine installed in a Civic and the vehicle will have an on the road price of £14,485 - some £900 more than a manual version.

The Civic has a top speed of 106mph with a 0-62mph time of 10.7 seconds. Fuel consumption figures show a 'combined' total of 42.8mpg which is better than a conventional four speed automatic but not quite as good as a manual box.

The system is described as a second generation CVT and Honda claims it has overcome all the problems associated with earlier systems such as jerky performance around town. Technical differences include the installation of the clutch on the output side of the gearbox rather than the input side. The advantage there is said to be that if drivers do a panic stop and then restart, the gearbox will not be caught on the hop.