PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Honda Civic hatch takes shape

Honda has confirmed its 10th generation Civic hatchback will be formally unveiled at this month’s Paris motor show.

Following in the wheel tracks of the new Civic sedan, the Japanese car-maker says the European-market hatchback will debut in Paris showcasing the same exterior and interior design that will feature on Australia’s Thailand-produced models.

A teaser shot released today gives away little about the car’s appearance. That said, in some respects the cat is already out of the bag: last month, Honda released a rear three-quarter image of the Sport Touring production car.

What we also know courtesy of spy shots is that the Civic hatch will feature a wider body, lower ride height, stretched-out wheel base and stiffer chassis than before.

The car’s suite of standard safety technology in Australia is expected to comprise autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation and adaptive cruise control.

Other available features will include Honda Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and side mirrors, powered front seats and push-button engine starting.

The 10th-generation Civic is expected to land in Australian showrooms around the second quarter of 2017.

As with most other mainstream small cars, the sedan should be priced pricing in line with the hatch. Currently, the all-automatic Civic sedan range comprises the VTi (from $22,390), VTi-S ($24,490), VTi-L ($27,790), $ RS ($31,790) and VTi-LX ($33,590).

All but the entry-level VTi and VTi-S models, which are powered by a carryover 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, come with Honda’s latest 127kW//220Nm 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol four.

The line-up won’t stop there, either, as Honda has confirmed a Civic Type-R follow-up. The new model has been slated for Australian showrooms as a direct competitor for Ford’s Focus RS.