GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Honda teases Civic Hatchback Prototype
Japanese car-maker will show off all-new concept for next-gen hatchHonda has announced it will preview the 10th-generation Civic hatch at the Geneva motor show next month.
Issuing a single image to tease the Swiss unveiling, the new concept -- called the Civic Hatchback Prototype -- is said to signpost the exterior design of the production car that will be launched early next year.
It’s clear from the new concept, the next Civic hatch picks up where the sedan, which went on sale last year in the US and arrives Down Under mid-year, left off.
That’s why the hatch shares the Civic sedan’s distinctive boomerang-shaped tail-lights, but unlike that car the new concept appears to be overtly sporty, with an aggressively-designed rear bumper, hunkered-down proportions and large centrally-mounted twin exhaust outlet.
It all looks as if Honda might be teasing a futuristic Civic Type-R instead of a family hatchback.
Built on the same all-new platform the sedan uses, some commentators suggest the new Civic hatch could be the among the best in class for handling as it’s primed to trade its rear torsion beam suspension for a more sophisticated independent rear set-up.
The hatch is also destined to receive the sedan’s 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with the option of six-speed manual or CVT transmissions, driving the front wheels only. It will also carry over the current car’s 1.8-litre engine to power the entry-level model.
European markets will also have the option of a revised 1.6-litre diesel and a new 94kW/200Nm turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol.
As well as the Civic Hatchback Prototype concept, Honda will also use the Geneva show to reveal the Clarity Fuel Cell car it unveiled last October at the Tokyo motor show.
Sharing the stand will be the Honda Jazz Keenlight concept that’s supposed to highlight some of the new customisation options available on the small supermini.
Finally, despite being hit with big delays, the production-spec NSX will also be on stand as deliveries of the Honda supercar begin in Europe -- and hopefully Australia -- later this year.
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