Honda previewed its Civic Tourer early last month ahead of its international debut at the Geneva motor show earlier in the week. But as appealing as it is, the other five-door model built in the Swindon plant in the UK won't be sold in Australia.
Initially named the Civic Wagon Concept but subsequently renamed Civic Tourer Concept for its Geneva unveiling, the small wagon will go into production. Furthermore, the production version will see the light of day at the Frankfurt motor show in September of this year, ahead of a retail launch in the UK early next year.
Specifications will be largely common to the Civic hatch, which is built on the same production line and IS sold in Australia. But according to a report from British magazine Autocar, the Civic Tourer will run a dead axle at the rear, rather than an IRS set-up. This will save load space, as will locating the fuel tank under the front seats.
A Honda Australia spokesperson told motoring.com.au last month that the local arm had 'no plan' to bring the Tourer here. That's not to say it won't happen, down the track. Honda Australia's decision to bring in the Civic hatch from the UK was literally years in the making before it finally arrived here, when it was deemed too expensive. The business case for the Civic Tourer here will therefore depend on the Aussie dollar remaining strong for some considerable time to come, to say nothing of any local demand for the wagon – Australia being a country where the SUV is king. Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...