Honda has lifted the lid on its all-new 2012 Civic Hatch at this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The new hatchback offers softer shapes and more curvaceous lines than its edgy predecessor and we think it’s better for it.
Honda says its designers were tasked with maintaining the “sporty and advanced elements” of the outgoing Hatch, while working to give the new model a more elegant and dynamic feel. For 2012, the Civic Hatch gets taller headlights that end in an even sharper point than the previous model, and a new front bumper that reflects the lines of Honda’s hybrid-powered Insight.
At the rear, the 2012 Civic Hatch will retain the split rear-window of the current model, while new and more rounded-off tail-lights have moved up to bisect the window design.
In the cabin, the new Civic maintains the tiered and driver-focused dash design of its predecessor, but with less fussy lines. Under the skin, Honda boasts of a sporty driving experience but with added comfort, the suspension setup receiving tweaks off the back of customer feedback on its firm-riding predecessor. Torsion beam rear suspension remains, but gain fluid-filled compliance bushes designed to sharpen handling and ride quality. The new car will weigh the same as the one it replaces, while measuring 35 mm longer and 10 mm wider (at 4 290 mm and 1 775 mm respectively).
Powertrains have not been revealed, although the current European-market 2.2 litre diesel is expected to carry over, with a new smaller turbo-diesel to slot in below.
