Honda unveils 10th-generation Civic hatchback

The all-new, 10th-generation Honda Civic was first shown as the concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, followed by its showcase at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show 2016. However, Honda has now officially unveiled the images and other details of the production version of the Civic. The same will make its global debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show and will be manufactured at the company's Swindon plant in the UK. The five-door hatchback will be sold in the US before it enters European markets by early 2017.

As seen from the images, the new-generation Honda Civic adopts an aggressive design language. The hatchback is 30mm wider and 130mm longer than the previous-generation five-door Civic. It is also lower by 20mm. The front gets a series of character lines, making the overall profile look busier than before. The hatchback does look share multiple bits with the sedan, in terms of design cues. To the side, the new Civic gets a coupe-like silhouette that is further complemented by two prominent lines running along the profile. The way the roofline gently blends with the tail section along with the C-shaped tail lights give it an interesting rear quarter profile. In addition, the compact rear windscreen and boot lid paired with a trailing roof spoiler, large mesh along with centrally positioned twin exhaust pipes finished in chrome with a diffuser give the Civic hatch a sporty character.

The interiors of the 2017 Honda Civic hatchback have been shared from its sedan counterpart. While the cabin has been updated from the previous generation, the new gen features plusher materials with a lower seating position. The seats are done in black fabric and also sport a contrasting white stitching. The cabin space has been increased, so is the rear legroom by close to 95mm. The boot space has been retained at 478 litres.

In terms of equipment, the new-gen Civic hatch also gets an all-digital instrument cluster. Placed on the centre between the AC vents is a large 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that also incorporates the latest Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity options. Honda will also offer a Garmin satellite navigation system with five years worth of update of maps included. The Civic hatch will also get an option between a 160W four-speaker arrangement and a 180W eight-speaker high-end system.

The new-gen Civic hatchback is based on a lighter platform that weighs 16kg less than the previous offering while the torsional stiffness of the chassis has been increased by 52 per cent. On the front, it gets a MacPherson strut suspension while the rear rides on an all-new rear multi-link suspension.

The powertrain options in the new-gen Civic hatchback include an all-new 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged petrol engines. The three-cylinder 1.0 litre unit makes a maximum power of 129PS at 5,500 rpm and generates a torque of 200Nm at 2,250rpm, with a 6-speed manual gearbox. With the CVT unit, the same motor produces 180Nm between 1,700rpm and 4,500rpm. The larger displacement 1.5-litre VTEC turbo petrol motor makes 182PS at 5,500rpm and produces 240Nm between 1,900rpm and 5,000rpm with the 6-speed manual gearbox and 220Nm with the CVT unit.

We got in touch with HCIL to find out if the company plans on bringing the Civic hatchback to India, but were told that the brand has no plans as of now. The Honda Civic was sold between 2006 to 2012. It was primarily discontinued considering its low sales and also an absence of a diesel engine that its rivals featured.