From the looks of the recently unveiled Honda Civic Concept, which previews what the 2016 production model will look like, the Civic appears to be moving beyond its boring ways to rekindle the excitement it once elicited from driving enthusiasts.
The most noticeable change for the better is that the new Civic does not look like a jellybean. Honda has finally dispensed with the so-called “cab forward” design used on Civics for nearly a decade. This design puts the base of the windshield practically over the front wheels, similar to on a minivan, and is said to increase interior space. But most of that increase comes in the upper dashboard area—which isn’t useable space.
By contrast, the base of the 2016 Civic’s windshield is pulled farther back behind the front wheel—like on Civics from the 1990s—to create a more upright windshield and a much longer hood. From the side view, the Civic Concept, which debuted at the New York International Auto Show, looks like a scaled down Honda Accord Coupe—and that’s a good thing.
The Honda Civic Concept is very close to what the production Honda Civic Typer-R will look like. (Credit: Honda)
The second biggest change is that the high-performance Type-R version of the Civic will finally be offered in the United States. This legendary model—whose performance far exceeds that of the more common Si version, currently the sportiest Civic offered in the U.S.—has long been available overseas. But Honda has deprived American enthusiasts of it ever since the model was first launched in 1997.
No further details have been released on the Civic Type-R, but Honda did say that the 2016 Civic will be the first to offer new turbocharged engines as part of the automaker’s suite of Earth Dreams Technology, aimed at increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. For Honda to offer turbocharged engines is kind of special, because the automaker has thus far not done so (except in the Acura RDX for a brief time).
The base Civic will come with a 1.5-liter VTEC turbo four-cylinder engine with the choice of a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission. Honda says the latter has been improved to be more responsive than previous versions.
The 2016 Honda Civic will also be available in more body styles in the U.S. than ever before. These include a sedan and coupe, both previously offered in the U.S. Newly added will be a five-door hatchback. The Si will remain available as well.
Honda is finally bringing the legendary Type-R version of the Civic to the U.S. for 2016. (Credit: Honda)
The Honda Civic Concept features aggressive styling, with deep air inlets and outlets in the front and rear bumpers, and a large wing at the back. It gives a good idea of what the new Type-R model will look like. All Civics will share the concept vehicle’s “flying H” front grille, as Honda calls—a look that has already been given to the latest Honda CR-V and Pilot crossovers.
The new 10th-generation Civic is the most U.S.-centric Honda Civic ever. Honda’s Los Angeles studio led the design, while engineering was centered in the company’s Raymond, Ohio vehicle development center.
Furthermore, the North American version of the Civic Sedan will be produced in Greensburg, Ind., and in Alliston, Ontario. The Civic Coupe and Si models also will be manufactured in Alliston. The VTEC turbo engine will be produced in Anna, Ohio. Other engines will also be produced in Alliston. The continuously variable transmission will be produced in Russells Point, Ohio.
The 2016 Honda Civic goes on sale this fall, so the wait won’t be long. Given Honda’s past product cadence, we can expect to see production versions of the new Civic break cover in the next few months. But as with the concept’s unveiling in New York, there won’t be much fanfare leading up to it.
The Honda Civic is one of the best-selling cars in America. The current version, which launched as a 2012 model, has sold more than 300,000 units in the past three years, according to Honda.
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