Civic head-kicker on Honda's wish list

Honda Australia boss Lindsay Smalley told Carpoint at the Melbourne International Motor Show that the local fate of the Euro hatch -- which is built in Swindon, UK -- was largely dependent on exchange rates. If the Aussie dollar remained strong, then the car was feasible, however, the business case would not add up if the dollar weakened.

Of particular interest is the imminent Type R version, due to be revealed at the imminent Geneva motor show. This variant will reportedly be powered by a 147kW 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine that should endow it with Volkswagen Golf GTI-rivalling performance.

The fact that it will need to be sourced from Europe suggests pricing will be in the $35-40K bracket, provided it does get the green light.

Smalley revealed that diesel variants of various models are also under consideration for Australia, but concedes it will be at least a couple of years before Honda Australia actually implements a diesel strategy.

"We're studying it seriously and we have a diesel-powered Accord Euro evaluation car (with a 103kW/339Nm 2.2-litre engine) in Australia," Smalley told Carpoint. "We acknowledge that diesel will have appeal for a segment of the market, but the distribution network is still primitive."

Smalley says a diesel version of the CR-V is on the wish list, but such a variant is currently only available as a manual. Also under consideration is a hybrid Accord (not the Euro version), which mates a V6 petrol engine with an electric motor

However, confirmed for Australia is the acclaimed new Legend, which pioneers the vaunted Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. The launch of the large sedan has been delayed until the third quarter as Honda Australia has opted to hold out for the Euro-spec car, which gains different suspension settings to the Japanese and US versions.

Powered by a 3.5-litre V6 with 224kW and 352Nm, the Legend is likely to cost around $80K.

As for the seemingly on-again-off-again NSX successor, Smalley says: "There will be a replacement car, but I don't know when, or what its spec levels will be."

Word around the grapevine is that the next-gen NSX may surface -- at least in concept form -- at the 2007 Tokyo motor show. Watch this space...