Tipped for global introduction either late this year or early in 2012, the five-door hatch version of Honda's next generation Civic -- if these new Carparazzi pics are any indication -- appears close to production.
Taken not far from Honda's European development facility in Germany, the photos show the Civic hatch presenting similar design themes to the current model's, with an invisible rear side door and a profile that looks surprisingly close, in terms of proportions, to today's car.
But the location of the tail lights, high on the rear deck, and a side window line tapering more to the C-pillar, suggests significant changes over the current model. More difficult to pick is what is happening at the front end, although the seemingly finalised below-grille fascia has a more shovel-like appearance than today's Si.
The next generation Civic was flagged by the Civic Concept sedan featured alongside a two-door coupe version at the 2011 Detroit motor show, both of which shared a front end that could be translated into what lies below the camouflage in the spy pics. No Si five-door hatch was in evidence.
It is expected the next generation Civic will feature a similar engine lineup to the current range which, in markets other than Australia, includes a turbodiesel as well as petrol engines and a hybrid.
It was reported in January that the new Civic sedan will possibly arrive in Australia later this year, in both conventional and hybrid form.
-- with Caparazzi
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