2012 Honda Civic breaks cover

Honda took the wraps off two new concept cars at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this morning local time, the Civic Sedan and Coupe concepts.

Though classed as concepts, the show cars are almost production ready, providing an almost finished picture of how the ninth-generation 2012 Civic models will be styled.

Honda Australia told the Carsales Network that sedan versions of the new Civic will arrive locally in late 2011, with both petrol and hybrid models confirmed for Australia. However the coupe models (fourth image) will not be offered in Australia.

As the images show, the Civic's new design advances the current car's styling and nudges it in a somewhat sportier direction by increasing the angle of the windscreen and using slimline headlight clusters. Honda says the new design is an "interpretation of the current Civic's iconic 'one-motion' mono-form shape..."

The Japanese car maker also hints at a 'wider stance' which suggests the new model could have a wider track than the previous model. The tail end also features an angular brake light design and the show cars sit on large 19-inch alloy wheels.

Power will come from a range of different engines in the American market, but Australian specifications are still being sorted out. However the Honda Civic concept car launch in Detroit did reveal that all engines would "become even more fuel efficient for 2012". Also new for the 2012 models will be Eco Assist for petrol models, a system already in use on the Insight and CR-Z hybrids, altering powertrain settings to improve fuel economy.

The fuel efficiency push will be most evident in the Civic Sedan Hybrid variant, which builds on Honda's range of hybrid vehicles and makes use of the latest generation of its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) petrol-electric technology. The Civic will also gain "the application of a lithium-ion battery in a Honda hybrid for the first time."

There will also be a Civic GX model that runs on CNG natural gas, however this model will not be offered in Australia.

All 2012 Civics will be standard with vehicle stability assist (VSA) and Honda expects five-star safety ratings for its new small car.

John Mendel, Executive Vice President of Sales for Honda in the US said; "The Civic is known for providing a balance of 'just-right' packaging, fun-to-drive character and outstanding fuel economy, at a price that even first-time buyers can afford. The redesigned Civic builds on this legacy and promises to be the best Civic yet."

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