2015 New York Motor Show: Honda Civic concept

The Honda Civic small car is set to expand when an all new model arrives late in 2015 as the Japanese maker steps up its return to form.

IN unveiling the fluoro green Honda Civic Concept at the 2015 New York Motor Show Honda has confirmed there will be a wider range of body styles for its all-new tenth generation Civic, due in her 2016 to take on the Toyota Corolla and hot-selling Mazda 3.

“First will be sedan … and then a coupe,” said Guy Melville-Brown, lead exterior designer of the striking Civic Concept

“Then there’s a number of derivatives and models that we’re going to roll out into the future into this tenth generation Civic line-up … there’s a lot of stuff in the pipeline.”

The Civic Concept is close to the production version of the Civic Coupe, which will arrive in the US in 2016. It has a longer wheelbase than the current Civic as well as a longer bonnet to accentuate its sportier design theme.

The new Civic will also get a new generation 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo, mated to either a six-speed manual or CVT auto.

Melville-Brown wouldn’t elaborate on the other derivatives, although a five-door hatchback was confirmed by Honda, something essential given its popularity in Europe and Asian markets.

“There’s going to be a lot of strong derivatives … it’s coming back to this idea of the importance of the Civic and the idea that the Civic should be a car for everyone, so part of that is supplying a large number of derivatives and different models in order to fulfil all of those different needs.”

Honda will also give the next generation Civic the Type R treatment, with a turbocharged four-cylinder, lowered suspension and a body kit.

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