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Honda has now rolled out the hatchback version of its all-new Civic at the Geneva show—and even though the model was introduced on the Continent, this is a debut that has plenty of relevance to America.
First off, although Honda is calling the vehicle you see here a concept, it should be very close to the production version. Unlike the current Civic hatchback, which is restricted from the American market, the new version will be exported “worldwide” from Honda’s Swindon, U.K., manufacturing plant—including to the United States. European deliveries begin in early 2017, and the car is expected here around the same time.
The styling of the new Civic hatch has a slightly more conventional four-door appearance than that of the current model, and it owes a bit to the Subaru Impreza. To our eyes, this may be the best-realized iteration of the 10th-generation Civic styling. The model has been on sale in sedan form since last fall and is just now being joined by the two-door coupe. In making a bigger-than-usual break with its predecessor in terms of engineering and design, the new version, Honda hopes, will recapture the Civic’s mojo after a couple of milquetoast designs.
Intriguingly, Honda’s attempt to sex up the concept version—with the body slammed down almost onto the wheels; the aero bits peppering the lower bodywork; the center-exiting dual exhausts; the mesh panels in the front and rear fascias; and the bright-yellow calipers peeking from behind sporty wheels wrapped in ultra-low-profile rubber—serves to make the concept more of a preview of the ultra-hot Civic Type R. The model will be based on this body style and will be coming to the United States. When it does, expect it to pack at least 300 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbo (sent through the front wheels), a six-speed manual transmission, and adaptive dampers. From the looks of this concept, we like where this Civic is headed—particularly since it’s headed our way.
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