New Civic

[Dins]

From Auto Express:

The new Honda Civic is here – and yet again it’s set to break the mould in the family hatchback sector! These exclusive shots show how the next car will look when it hits the showroom in 2010, and as you can see, the Japanese maker has opted for a shape that is even bolder and more individual than the current model.

With Vauxhall set to launch a stylish new Astra, and the next, sleek Ford Focus due in 2010, competition is fierce – but Honda has pulled out the stops to create a real stunner. As revealed in Issue 1,023, the OSM concept seen at the British Motor Show was more than simply an ‘Open Study Model’ – as the face of the new Civic is almost identical.

There are hints of VW’s IROC concept, which was toned down to become the Scirocco, in the gaping front grille. The new hatchback adds elements carried over from the current Civic, too, most notably the trademark single strip light cluster at the rear. But Honda fans will note that the split rear screen has been dropped to improve visibility. Shallow glass areas, broad shoulders and a nose-down stance give this three-door model a sporty and purposeful look.

The hatchback ‘coupé’ pictured here will be aimed at younger buyers, who want style and image more than outright practicality. So, as well as big alloys and a contrasting black bodykit, the three-door gets lowered suspension and a dark interior with deeply sculpted seats.

The three-door will be distinct from the five, as Honda adopts an approach similar to the Renault Mégane by pitching the two cars at different buyers. So, the five-door will be more for the family, with a taller roofline offering plenty of space, a bigger boot, plus a softer ride and handling balance.

The engine line-up will be shared between the two styles, though, and our sources have revealed that a 1.5-litre IMA hybrid engine with more than 150bhp and sub-CO2 120g/km emissions will appear.

In fact, the Civic will herald a change in focus for the Japanese maker as it seeks to reduce CO2 emissions. It’s currently restructuring manufacturing facilities to cater for large-scale hybrid production.

Over the next five years, Honda plans to power all four-cylinder cars using either petrol hybrids with lithium-ion batteries or i-CTDi diesels. But it is also introducing ‘deactivation technology’ for its V6, V8 and V10 engines. This means that some
cylinders will not be used in more relaxed driving conditions in an attempt to improve efficiency.

Hot hatch fans will also be well catered for, as a Type R flagship is in the works, powered by a 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine which, given Honda’s five-year hybrid plan, could be boosted by an electric motor. This would make it the world’s first hybrid hot hatch!

Looks good, but too much Scirocco in it.

Well, how interesting.

EDIT: Wouldn't let me link.

[vikiradTG2007]

If there were any pictures in the OP...


...then all I can say is Hotlink Fail.



EDIT: It does look like a mix of the Scirocco and the current Civic. But that's not anything bad, since both are good-looking cars.

Only slight changes, plus pumping up the VTEC in the Type-R to 9k rpm and you've got a winner.

[_HighVoltage_]

I wonder how ghastly the US version will look like this time...

[The_Finn]

Yay hatchback... ugly as fuck headlights/taillights though

[AiR]

I'd consider that if build quality from Swindon would be up to par. The thin paint especially is an industry joke (70μ!!).
No squeaks and lakes of water in the door this time and it's a winner.
And this model even has a rear window wiper!

[Blind_Io]

I love it and I WANT!

I love the look of the Sirocco, and since we won't be getting it in the US, I want this! If it looks anything like the renders it just moved to the top of my list.

[Pedrocas]

It's uglier as hell.

[Red_Bull]

Looks brilliant!

[airmenair]

My first reaction was "Ugh!" Then I looked at it some more and it looks ok. I swear though the front looks an awful lot like Peugeot.

[Dr_Q]

I actually quite like this. I thought the looks of the current model would grow on me but they never did. Having said that though I really don't like the 'cyclops' taillights if they change those I think the back will go from plain weird looking to just a bit odd.

[Ramseus]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

I love it and I WANT!

I love the look of the Sirocco, and since we won't be getting it in the US, I want this! If it looks anything like the renders it just moved to the top of my list.

Euro Civic, man, North America isn't allowed to have hatches.
(and AFAIK it's still not final whether or not we get the Scirocco)

Sexy car is sexy. The current Euro Civic just looks huge and fat.

[starfox07]

Headlights and front end are too...."trendy." Looks better than the current model though I think.

[Vette Boss]

I sense some S2000 DNA at the front, which is good. Back end is a bit too square, but it needs to be for practicality.

If the production model looks anything close to that, it will sell very well.

[fbc]

Looks fantastic - not sure about the taillights, but overall I like it, a whole lot.

[Wizegui]

It doesn't seem like an improvement over the current design. I know it's just specuilation, but it looks a lot like the VW Scirocco.

[IceBone]

It actually reminds me more of the Honda s2000. So who copied who?

[Aston Martin]

Auto Express photoshops are about as reliable as....

[Hidden_Hunter]

Originally Posted by AiR

I'd consider that if build quality from Swindon would be up to par. The thin paint especially is an industry joke (70μ!!).
No squeaks and lakes of water in the door this time and it's a winner.
And this model even has a rear window wiper!

My brothers Civic Type-r came from Swindon.... and the bonnet latch didn't work. Not sure about the paint it seems quite thick

[smolik]

Originally Posted by Aston Martin

Auto Express photoshops are about as reliable as....

"These exclusive shots show how the next car will look when it hits the showroom in 2010"

those aren't renderings, but real shots unfortunately, at least they say so

I don't like it, looks too much like the IROC Concept
but I didn't like the current generation when it was first revealed, and now I think it looks brilliant

[-Cpt. J.-]

Ugly as fuck.