MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando’s revolutionary U-turn scheme had freed up Katipunan Avenue and Quezon Avenue from traffic lights; at this time, the scheme was mostly successful in ensuring slow but steady traffic flow. We just had to gauge when to jink right and left to avoid traffic build-up near the U-turn slots. The Civic’s responsive steering and tight turning radius helped us to weave our way forward.

No amount of maneuvering could help us move forward as we crawled among the jeepneys along España. We watched helplessly as one block of the Civic’s bar-graph fuel gauge finally blinked off, while staring at the back end of a stationary bus. We estimated one block to be about four liters’ worth. We weren’t doing so well, we thought.

As a further challenge, the eco-run rules required that airconditioning be turned on. Our onboard marshall from Honda Kalookan made sure we kept it on. We set it to the lowest fan speed and warmest thermostat setting. The heat threatened to build up during long waits at stop lights.

There was a bit of relief along Rizal Park and Roxas Boulevard. We had to endure one final bit of crawling traffic turning from South Expressway. Then we breezed through the final stretch along Kamagong. Our Civic ended up with a fuel consumption of 4.258 liters for the 34 km route, for a mileage of 7.985 km / liter. We can confirm that that’s a realistic run in city driving with heavy traffic. A drive with varied conditions can bump up the Civic’s mileage to double-digits.

At the awarding ceremonies, Honda Cars President Takashi Sekiguchi and Total Manager for Corporate Affairs Malou Espina handed out the certificates and prizes. As it turned out, we didn’t fare too badly. Auto Review’s Ronald de los Reyes and teammate bagged the first prize, by just tenths of a liter.

We didn’t drive to Pagudpod and back for this eco-run, but we experienced just how daunting the exercise can be. Discipline and some measure of driving skill, with luck thrown in, can spell the difference. Having the right car is also essential, and the Honda Civic proved its worth during the morning’s challenging drive through the city.

Totally Amazing Honda Civic Eco Challenge Final Results:

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