New Civic Hatchback
Engineered for Europe, built at Honda’s UK manufacturing plant in Swindon* and exported globally, the new Civic Hatchback sees Honda take a step change in the quality of its compact segment offering.
A new exterior design incorporating a wider, longer and lower silhouette marks out the car as a departure from the last generation. Inside, improved materials give a premium feel with a sportier seating position (lowered by 35 mm compared to the current model).
Under the body, Honda’s new range of VTEC TURBO powertrains give a responsive and exciting driving characteristic, while maintaining the strong efficiency Honda is renowned for. Ride and handling are improved by a totally new suspension set up including the adoption of an independent multi-link system at the rear.
The new car further incorporates next generation advanced technology with a revised Honda CONNECT infotainment system, complete with Apple CarPlay™ and Google Android™ Auto functionality. In a first for Honda’s C-sector offering, the SENSING suite of active safety features are specified as standard on all trim levels.
The new Civic Hatchback goes on sale in Europe from Spring 2017.
New Civic Type R Prototype
Alongside the new C-sector challenger, Honda sprung a surprise by unveiling the prototype version of the new Civic Type R. The prototype previews the aggressive design direction for the mass production Civic Type R, scheduled for a European launch in the second half of 2017.
At the front, the aggressive bumper is accentuated with a winged carbon fibre splitter and sporty red accent line. Additional slatted ducts add width to the bumper, and diamond-mesh inserts fill the sculpted air intakes.
Honda’s famous red ‘H’ badge – which adorns all Type R models – sits above a new air vent at the nose of the car. There is also a new intake on the bonnet, with an air scoop sited centrally in a trapezoidal recess. Smoked lenses for the LED headlights, indicators and side repeaters reflect the Type R Prototype’s more aggressive character.
Carbon fibre side skirts run the length of the wheelbase, between 20-inch piano black alloy wheels with red accents and 245-section high-performance tyres. Enlarged arches accommodate the new wheels.
A substantial carbon fibre diffuser runs below the wider rear bumper, which frames three fully-functional tailpipes with a pair of directional strakes at each side. The central tailpipe is of a smaller diameter and is highlighted in bright metallic red. Unique peaks at the roof flanks point backwards towards a dramatic, visually striking rear wing.
During the unveil of the Type R Prototype, Senior Vice President Philip Ross said, “Type R epitomises Honda’s racing DNA, our challenging spirit and the highest levels of performance engineering. Coming to Europe during the second half of 2017, we’re now set to embark on the next chapter of the ‘race car for the road’.”