These images from the CivicX forums were taken at the Southampton docks in the UK and show the new 5-door Honda Civic completely undisguised, ready to get shipped over to the US.
The rear is a lot more visible than the front and is really reminiscent of the prototype we saw at the 2016 NY Auto Show back in March, when Honda senior VP Jeff Conrad said that this car would attract new enthusiast buyers to the Civic brand.
Other visual cues we can take away are the radio’s dorsal fin antenna (not present on the prototype) as well as the LaneWatch cameras, situated under each side mirror casing from where they provide drivers with information regarding objects entering their blind spot.
In 5-door guise, the Civic still shares its platform and interior layout with the current Sedan and Coupe versions that are already being sold in the US, however, unlike the two, the Hatchback model will be built exclusively at Honda’s Swindon plant in the UK – from where it will ship to different markets all over the world.
Once the car reaches North American shores, customers will be able to choose between the 174 HP 1.5-liter turbocharged unit (mated to either a CVT or a 6-speed manual) and, eventually, a more potent 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC engine as well. The 158 HP 2.0-liter naturally aspirated i-VTEC could also join the lineup if the Japanese automaker decides to lure customers with a lower price point.
While we’re still waiting for Honda to reveal the 2017 Civic hatchback in a proper, high-resolution type of way, these images do help shine a light on some of the differences between the final product and the previously mentioned prototype, which caused quite a stir in NY. The production-version model is obviously a little bit “toned down” aesthetically, yet all the angles and aggressive-looking body panels that were there on the concept are also present here.
Thanks to CivicX for the pictures!
PHOTO GALLERY
