Already seen in prototype form at the 2016 Geneva motor show and due to follow the local launch of the sedan in June, the hatchback version of the 10th generation Honda Civic is well down the development path – and these spy photos indicate the show car wasn't too far from the final, legitimate example.
With its wider body, lower ride height, stretched-out wheelbase, stiffer chassis (by around 25 per cent) and striking rear end, the five-door Civic hatch is seen as something of a departure from the five-door Mazda3, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf that are its main competitors.
It's expected the hatch will offer the same technology line-up as the sedan too. This includes safety aids such as Honda's LaneWatch system, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, AHAS Agile Handling Assist, Straight Driving Assist and adaptive cruise control.
The engines on offer will include a new 127kW/220Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo and a carry-over 104kW/174Nm 1.8-litre. A Type R version is expected to be launched in Australia some time in 2017.
Described at Geneva as "the sportiest Civic ever", the 10th generation Honda Civic hatch is expected to arrive locally towards the end of this year and will, like the sedan, be sourced from Thailand.