2017 Honda Civic hatchback revealed

    Tenth-generation Civic hatch breaks cover ahead of Paris debut; Type R hot hatch variant to come later.

    Published On Sep 16, 2016 04:14:00 PM

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    Honda has released a first set of images and details of the tenth-generation Civic hatchback for Europe ahead of its showcase at the upcoming Paris Motor Show 2016.

    For Europe, the five-door hatchback will be followed by a new Civic Tourer estate and Type R hot hatch. However, the sedan and three-door variants, built primarily for the US market, won’t be offered in some European markets. Like its predecessor, the new Euro-spec Civic will be built at Honda’s Swindon plant in the UK. The factory is the global production hub for the Civic, with Honda confirming a huge investment in new production technologies and processes. Previously, Swindon exported the hatch to Europe exclusively. Now it will produce 40 percent of its Civic output for North America, 40 percent for Europe and 20 percent for the UK market.

    These new processes include what Honda describes as a “high-efficiency joining technique”, where the entire inner frame is assembled first, followed by the outer frame and then the joints. This defies the conventional method of starting with body frame assembly. Honda says the method contributes to the overall stiffness of the body. It claims the new Civic has 52 percent greater torsional stiffness than its predecessor, while being 16kg lighter.

    The hatchback is 4,497mm long, 1,800mm wide and 1,421mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,700mm. This makes it 130mm longer, 30mm wider and 20mm lower than the previous-generation car, with a 30mm longer wheelbase.

    Honda is offering two new turbocharged petrol engines – a 1.0-litre triple making 129hp and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit with 182hp. Both are available with a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT auto. The existing 120hp 1.6-litre diesel option will be carried over, but tuned to improve its power output and lesser emissions. No hybrid is planned initially, but a Honda official confirmed to our sister publication Autocar UK that the new platform could accommodate such a powertrain. However, an all-electric Civic is not possible with this platform.

    Honda has aimed for a simple and sleek cabin design, which incorporates a 7.0in touchscreen display on which you can access its second-generation Connect infotainment and connectivity systems, which integrate with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is also optional Garmin satellite navigation with free map updates for five years and different audio options, including a four-speaker, 160W system, an eight-speaker, 180W unit and a premium system with 11 speakers.

    Interior space has improved, thanks to the longer wheelbase. Rear legroom has increased by a claimed 95mm and there’s more shoulder room in the front and rear. Boot space remains the same as before, at 478 litres, which is considerably more than the 360 litres of its rival, the Volkswagen Golf. Honda has ditched its so-called 'Magic Seats' and instead stuck to a more traditional 60/40 rear seat split.

    The Civic will have a host of safety systems fitted to all trim levels. These include a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and blindspot information.

    Honda is currently evaluating the possibility of bringing the Civic back to India in the coming years.

    Copyright (c) Autocar UK. All rights reserved.

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