Honda Civic prototype previews all-turbo next-gen hatch

After being teased and (unintentionally) leaked, the Honda Civic Hatchback Prototype finally makes its global debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, serving as a preview of an all-new hatchback Civic model that will replace the current European FK-series Civic. The third all-new entry in the Civic lineup is coming to NY – and if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. According to Honda from their official press release they dropped earlier Tuesday morning, the Civic Hatchback Prototype redefines Honda’s Core Model for Europe (and soon the United States.) As far as the leaked pictures from a couple of days ago, these first images from Honda are exactly what we saw from a couple of days ago. For many European customers, Civic is synonymous with the Honda brand.

The hatchback retains its siblings’ primary design cues including the low-slung front fascia with massive chrome applique, LED headlamps, tight fitting roof, heavily contoured sheet metal surfaces and a sharp rear end with C-shaped LED combination lights. It’s clear Honda has ditched the tallish design of more recent Civic hatchbacks in favor of a low-slung design with a longer wheelbase and wider proportions. The production 2017 Honda Civic Hatch will then arrive later in 2016. “It’s a marriage of distinctive and sporty design, rewarding driving dynamics and versatile practicality”. There’s a suite of VTEC Turbo engines on the way, including a 1.0-litre unit, a 1.5-litre, and 1.6-litre i-DTEC turbo-diesel. Regular Civic Hatchbacks should come with the 158-hp 2.0-liter four and 174-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four already offered in the Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe.

Jason Smith, Director of Honda UK Manufacturing, said: “By establishing HUM as a global production facility for the all-new Civic hatchback, Honda is demonstrating its long-term commitment to manufacturing in the UK and Europe”.