Alongside the bold Civic Type R Prototype, Honda is presenting the Euro-spec 2017 Civic hatchback at the Paris Auto Show.

In Europe, Civic hatchback customers will initially have two engines available. The first is the company’s small 1.0-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged VTEC petrol engine that delivers 129 PS (127 hp) at 5,500 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 2,250 rpm when coupled with the six-speed manual. That torque figure drops marginally to 180 Nm between 1,700 rpm and 4,500 rpm with the available CVT.

Also on offer is the larger 1.5-liter turbo-four that offers up 182 PS (179 hp) at 5,500 rpm and 240 Nm of torque between 1,900 rpm and 5,500 rpm, a figure which falls to 220 Nm for the CVT model.

Underpinning the new Civic hatchback is the company’s latest platform that is 16 kg lighter than the previous-generation Civic all while have 52 per cent greater torsional stiffness. The platform also means the 2017 Civic hatch is longer and wider than previously, with its wheelbase now extending an additional 30 mm.

What this means is that occupants can enjoy increased interior space as well as improved visibility. For 2017, the driver seats 35 mm lower than previously while the dashboard itself also sits 65 mm lower, therefore improved forward visibility significantly. Shoulder room has also increased, by 10 mm to be exact, for occupants at the rear while rear seat shoulder room is up 20 mm. Legroom at the rear is also up by a significant 95 mm.

Honda says that the 2017 Civic hatch continues to lead its class for trunk space with it sitting at 478 liters. The 60:40 folding/split rear seats also aid in making it easier to carry large items into the rear of the car.

Elsewhere in the cabin owners can enjoy Honda’s latest Connect infotainment system. It incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and can be specified with Garmin satellite navigation that includes pre-loaded maps, lane guidance, real-time traffic avoidance, 3D building and terrain views and free map updates for five years. In terms of audio, Euro-bound 2017 Civic hatch models can be optioned with a four-speaker 160 watt system, an eight-speed 180 watt setup or an 11 speaker, 465 watt surround sound system.

Key safety technologies found within the car include Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist System, Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Cruise Control.

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