Honda Civic Debuts...in Frankfurt? Maybe...

Smartie · Apr 24, 2015

We're well aware that Honda debuted the Civic Coupe Concept in New York just this month, we're also acutely aware that Honda is running a 5 door around somewhere. The next question, besides when will we see it in production trim, turns to the hatchback. Will Honda show a separate hatchback concept? I think yes simply because of the different market tastes between North America and Europe.

For this extremely delicate process we turned to substantial scientific methonds. Exploring Wikipedia.

9th Gen:

North American Civic debuted in concept form (coupe and sedan) at the NAIAS in January of 2011, in April of 2011 production models were seen, at the dealers. Revised Si Cuope debuted at SEMA in 2014

The European 5 door hatch debuted at the Frankfurt show in September of 2011. It was a mild improvement over the outgoing 8th gen so no concept was shown of the base 5 door.

8th Gen:

NA spec Si Coupe Concept made its debut at the 2005 Chicago Autoshow in Februrary of that year. The production Si coupe debuted at SEMA of that year.

JDM version debuted September 22 2005 in Japan

7th Gen:

The 2003 Si Concept debuted at SEMA of that year, which was just an earlier Euro spec hatchback for the NA market

Ok so conclusions? Well considering we've already seen the Coupe Concept can we assume that Honda won't be showing us an Si concept? I'm not sure if thats logical or not.

If I had to put money down, I'd bet that Honda will make their next Civic debut at either Frankfurt 2015 or SEMA 2015. The Frankfurt show is already being billed as the most important show of the year:

Here's a quick list of what we can expect to see over there (and in no particular order, X-Factor style): Mercedes-Benz C-Coupe, all-new Audi A4, all-new BMW 7 Series, all-new Opel Astra, Mercedes-Benz GLE (facelifted ML), all-new Volkswagen Tiguan, Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabrio, Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift, all-new Audi R8, Maserati Levante (SUV), McLaren P13, BMW X4 M40i, Infiniti Q30, Lamborghini Huracan Spyder and the Porsche 911 facelift.

Is than an appropriate place to move to the next phase of the Civic launch? I think so, but now, what exactly will Honda show us there? a 5 door concept, an Si Concept, a sedan? All three in production form?

Smith · Apr 25, 2015

All three would be great.
Plus we did spot them all at once, maybe they were all at the same phase of development and Honda was cross testing all 3?

Seeing all 3 at once at this show would be great.

Civil · Apr 27, 2015

I could definitely see a Civic hatchback concept happening before they just skip to a production version. I think that there is room for more conceptual design to be shown off with the hatchback before they skip to the production version. I just imagine that they could come up with something very interesting at the rear end of the hatchback with the tail lights.

Smartie · Apr 27, 2015

unless Concept B has already been there done that...

5TAR · Apr 28, 2015

With them this far into the process with all 3 models shown as test mules, IMO, seeing what production models in their final stage as pre-production models will more than likely be it.

Civil · Apr 29, 2015

Is there time for them to show a concept at one of the auto shows before Geneva?

5TAR · Apr 29, 2015

The way I see it, they're well past that stage, of showing concepts.

Been following the release of a few vehicles in the past, the 9th gen civic specifically and you just don't normally see test mules that seem production like and concepts of it sometime later. Seems rather backwards to me.

Civil · Apr 30, 2015

Showing all 3 production models at the same time in Frankfurt would be a huge reveal. They would certainly draw a lot of buzz. I can't help feeling that the hatch will be held back until later though.

Smartie · May 1, 2015

Honda UK said recently that the hatch is about 18 months out...

Civil · May 2, 2015

Yea, so that means it won't be a crazy triple reveal. But even the thought of it was fun.

5TAR · May 4, 2015

A road and track article is saying starting in 2016 we'll see it:

That's a bummer for Honda's European operations, but it's probably great news for North Americans. To prop up its British manufacturing business, Honda will import Civic hatchbacks (five-door models) to North America starting in 2016. That almost certainly includes the Civic Type R we just saw unveiled in Geneva—the 305-hp, turbocharged, flared, be-winged monster that Honda claims can slaughter the Nordschleife in 7:50.63.

Smith · May 5, 2015

Starting to think we'll see the typical sedan and coupe models in Frankfurt with them going on sale soon after, within weeks from seeing them, October 2015?

CanGuy · May 7, 2015

When you say that they will go on sale in October, does that mean that the order books will be opened and you can put down a deposit, or the cars will actually be on lots and you can just go down and pick one up?

Civil · May 5, 2015

Frankfurt for the sedan and coupe seems very likely at this point. With the amount of info we have seen on them, the timing, and when they are supposed to go on sale -- it all makes sense. They'll want to have them out before Christmas so a Fall on sale date makes total sense.

Honda Civic Debuts...in Frankfurt? Maybe...

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