What's the news?
Honda has not had a happy few years in Europe, with falling sales and idling factories, but the iconic Japanese car maker hopes to start turning that around this year with key new models such as the HR-V crossover and an all-new Civic.
Exterior
The new Civic will be previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in March with a concept car that will be very close to the final production styling. Honda has issued this sketch of the concept, which seems to indicate that the new Civic will take a good deal of inspiration from the current US model (which won US Car of the Year at the recent Detroit Auto Show). That means much more conservative styling, closely following the relatively quiet look of the HR-V.
Mechanicals
Underneath, the chassis will actually get a bit more sophisticated as the current torsion beam rear suspension will be binned in favour of a sub-frame mounted fully independent setup, which should work wonders for the Civic's dynamics. Less welcome is the change of fuel-tank location. In the current Euro Civic, the tank is under the front seats, opening up enormous boot space and allowing the distinctive flip-up 'Magic Seats' in the back. The new Civic will have a more conventional fuel tank location, meaning a smaller boot and rumour has it that the Magic Seats will also be dropped.
The Civic will get new engines too. The current 1.6 i-DTEC diesel will be tweaked and retained, but there will be new 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrol units, with CO2 ratings as low as 99g/km and potential 175hp power outputs.
Anything else?
Also on the Honda stand in the Geneva will be its rival to the Toyota Mirai, the hydrogen powered Clarity Fuel Cell. The Clarity Fuel Cell is the world's first production fuel cell saloon to house the entire fuel cell powertrain under the bonnet. With a range of up-to 700km, Honda claims it has the best single-tank range of any current hydrogen fuel cell car.
We'll also get a final, tantalising look at the hybrid NSX supercar before it goes on European sale, a Jazz 'Kneelight' concept that shows off how you can jazz up the looks of your, er, Jazz and the CRF1000L Africa Twin adventure motorbike.