GENEVA: 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Prototype Revealed
The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback has bowed in prototype form at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, and will be getting its U.S. welcome at the New York International Auto Show on March 22.
After having images leaked two days ago, the prototype offers a clearer look at what buyers can expect when the 10th generation Civic hatch goes on sale. Just don’t expect the ornate, go-fast trappings of this version to be found on anything approaching a base model.
A hatchback body style will wring the most amount of versatility out of the Civic’s newly expanded dimensions, providing much-needed cargo room for “we have a kid but can’t afford a crossover” types.
If it seems curious that Honda is premiering its latest offering in Europe, it isn’t. The Civic Hatchback will be built in jolly old England at Honda of the UK Manufacturing, then exported around the world.
Honda recently poured 270 million Euros into the plant to gear up for Civic Hatchback production.
In Europe, the Civic Hatchback will come with a new 1.0-liter turbo VTEC engine, along with a 1.5-liter turbo and an improved 1.6-liter i-DTEC diesel. These engines are sourced from Honda’s questionably-named Earth Dreams Technology range.
North Americans consumers will receive the 1.5-liter turbo and 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated gas engines from the existing Civic lineup.
Honda assures us that high-performance Si variants are coming down the pipe, so it wouldn’t be surprising to find that the prototype unveiled in Geneva reflects much of what a future Si hatchback could look like.
[Images: Honda]
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Much prefer the sedan to this, looks wise. I'm also skeptical about the ride from such unbalanced F-R overhangs, unless one stuffs the trunk full of bricks. But then again, I doubt Honda cares, as us geezers are supposed to buy the Accord anyway......
Hopefully it comes with an engine that isn't on stop sale and won't blow up like the current 2.0.