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The new face of the next-generation Honda Civic has nosed into view. Pictured above is the Civic Si Concept, unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show.
And while the prototype's two-door bodystyle is unlikely to be offered outside the US, its front end hints at the look of the British-built machine, set to debut at September's Frankfurt expo.
That confirms the new hatch - which shares its chassis with the US car, and was caught testing in issue 834 - will have a similar sharply raked windscreen, low-slung bonnet and lean, angular headlamps. The car is scheduled to start production in Swindon, Wiltshire, towards the end of the year.
John Mendel, Honda's US vice president, told us: "The Si will be the most powerful and fun-to-drive Civic ever, and will set the direction for Honda in terms of styling, packaging and performance. It's part of a fresh family of Civics that builds on the already class-leading values of the car in terms of safety, styling and fuel efficiency."
His comments suggest a hybrid version of the new model will be available from launch, using the firm's proven IMA technology. At present, the only IMA variant offered here is a four-door saloon, which sells in low volumes as a result. But the expansion of hybrid vehicles across the industry means the technology is likely to be fitted into all bodystyles from next year.
Honda is also looking into the possibility of introducing a mass-market Civic powered by natural gas, which will go on sale initially in America and, if successful, could well reach Europe before the end of 2006.
Craig Cheetham
Article from: Auto Express
