Honda is rather desperate for a decent European hit. While the Japanese car maker is doing well globally and in the US, Europe remains something of a black hole in its sales charts, and much of the blame for that is being laid at the divisive styling of the current-generation Civic hatchback.
So, the tenth-generation Civic, which will go on sale before the end of this year, will be quite different. For the first time ever, it will share its structure and underpinnings with the US-market Civic, and it is from that model (a car good enough to win an award at the recent Detroit motor show) that this concept five-door hatch has been derived.
Incidentally, it really is a concept. Although the actual styling should be pretty close to what will go on sale, this Civic is bereft of an engine or an interior for now - unlike some concept cars which are production models in all but name, this one is properly new.
It’s big too, possibly a hangover from its US origins - a full 245mm longer than the current VW Golf, which should help the Civic keep up its reputation for cavernous interior and boot space. Engines, when it eventually gets some, will include the current 1.6-litre IDTEC diesel (in updated form) and two new petrols - a 1.0-litre three-cylinder and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder, both turbocharged. Power outputs should range from around 100hp to around 180hp. There may also be a sporty Type-S Civic, using a version of the Type R’s monster 313hp 2.0-litre turbo engine, detuned to around 220hp. Co2 emissions, for the diesel at any rate, should dip below 90g/km.
The styling, including those big C-shaped rear lights which form into spoilers, should arrive more or less unchanged, although some details will be toned down a little. Will a more conservative styling approach resonate with European buyers this time around? And will the sad rumour of the death of the current Civic’s flip-up ‘Magic’ rear seats come to pass?
Whatever is the case, Honda is betting big on the Civic's success, transferring all production to its factory in Swindon in the UK, and making significant investments there too in spite of the fact that those sluggish Euro sales have seen that plant operating at well under capacity for a couple of years now. Pairing the Euro Civic with its more successful American brother will spread the risk, but Honda still needs this car to be a substantial sales hit if it's not to consider withdrawing from Europe altogether.
