Why We Love The 2017 Civic Hatchback

7956 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Lucio, Apr 29, 2016

Civic X News

Discussion Starter · Mar 7, 2016

Not long ago deliveries of 2016 sedans kicked off, and this time next year we will find ourselves behind the wheel of the all-new 2017 Civic Hatchback. Debuted at the Geneva Motor Show last week was the prototype version of the hot hatch and surely enough, a lot to like. Last time a hatch was offered in North America it was 2003. Honda set out to get it right the first time around and as you can see in the points below, they did.

VERY Close To Production Spec

While the concept debuted in Geneva was just that, a concept, according to Principle Designer, Diasuke Tsutamori, it’s VERY close to a production spec hatch. Meaning, a good chance the dual center exhaust setup makes the cut.

Principal designer, Diasuke Tsutamori told Auto Express: “This prototype is already on a very close level to mass production. When you see the final car, you will probably think it’s still the prototype.”

- Auto Express

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Practical and Versatile

Not only will this be a hot hatch that looks and performs the part (more on that below), it will be just as practical as any family hatchback in the segment being 30mm wider, 20mm lower and 130mm longer than the sedan we’re all familiar with by now.

That said, like Tsutamori insisted earlier, the new car will offer practicality and versatility on a par with its closest rivals. The new car is 30mm wider, 20mm lower and 130mm longer than the current car. Bosses assure us the large wheels and long wheelbase of the prototype will remain, hinting at a sportier yet roomier family hatchback.

“The decisive factor is the human being. We believe the amount of space in this car is absolutely sufficient in order to fulfil that requirement. Practicality is always key in our design.”

- Auto Express

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Distinctive Design

For 2017, the all-new hatch gets unique styling that separates it from the 2016 Civic Sedan and Coupe which was already a big refreshing change from the previous generation. It`s one of many reasons that make it a worthy candidate of going Type R over the other two. Unfortunately visibility was slightly compromised in the process. More on design:

It’s a stark departure from the current car, which has often been criticised for its divisive styling. At the front, you’ll notice the short overhangs and large air intakes, as well as all-new LED headlamps that give the car a fresh look. Unfortunately, the green foglights don’t meet current EU legislation!
Along the side there’s a sculpted line that runs the length of the car, breaking by the rear door handle to emphasise the rear haunches. A high bootlid and that familiar visibility-sneering spoiler finish it off, but Tsutamori insists that the now one-piece rear window will make manoeuvring infinitely easier than before.
“The current Civic has two weak points”, he said. “One is the rear visibility and the other is the high stance from the rear view.
“These two points were eliminated with the new design. We have lowered the rear spoiler and reduced its thickness. The window is now just one sheet so you do not have obstacles limiting your rear view.”

- Auto Express

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Potent Powertrains

From launch 3 potent powertrains will be offered globally. As for the Si and Type R versions, there’s no word yet on what we can expect but in the coming months expect to hear more.

The all-new Civic Hatchback will feature a range of three powertrain options: 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO petrol engines, and a revised 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel unit. Civic will be the first European model to feature the two all-new petrol engines.
The all-new engines are part of Honda’s growing Earth Dreams Technology range and aim to deliver a combination of dynamic performance, a class-leading output for their displacement and excellent fuel economy.
Based on a completely new engine structure and harnessing newly developed turbo systems, the petrol engines feature variable valve motion technology to reduce friction and achieve class-leading output and environmental performance. A turbocharger with a low moment of inertia and high responsiveness, together with direct injection technology seek to achieve an optimum balance between high output and torque, above those of conventional naturally-aspirated engines.
A revised version of Honda’s popular and efficient 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel engine - unique to European Honda vehicles– will be offered alongside the two new petrol engines. The common rail turbo-diesel unit incorporates extensive technologies that reduce friction, improve emissions and increase fuel economy. The engine features a small, high-efficiency turbocharger, low-pressure EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system and a high-intake flow, high-swirl cylinder head port. A new high-strength, lightweight slender crankshaft and all-aluminium, open-deck, high-pressure, die-cast engine block makes the unit lightweight while ensuring high levels of durability.

- Honda Global

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Chitown Drifter

· #2 · Mar 8, 2016

Will the 1.0 liter turbo be available in the US? Seems doubtful to me, but I have no info other than this article

Of greater interest to me is the length of this new hatchback. The article mentions it's 130mm longer than the sedan we’re all familiar with by now. Does this refer to the new 10th-gen sedan? In this segment, the hatch is normally shorter than the sedan. Max length for my spot in the garage is 180", and the 10th-gen sedan exceeds that.

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4Tires

· #3 · Mar 8, 2016

I don't see why the turbo wouldn't make its way into the US.

As for the length, I think they're talking about the new 10th gen sedan so you may have problems parking it in your garage if the sedan doesn't fit. I may actually have to check my garage length too now that you've brought it up.

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asiandeity

· #4 · Mar 8, 2016

I think they were referring to the current 9th gen Euro Civic when they stated the length of the new hatchback.

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Chitown Drifter

· #5 · Mar 8, 2016

4Tires said:
I don't see why the turbo wouldn't make its way into the US.

The article mentioned 2 turbos: 1.0 & 1.5.

It's pretty much a given the 1.5 will be offered, but I'm skeptical about the 1.0 for the US market.

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5TAR

· #6 · Mar 8, 2016

No need for concerns about the 1.0. If you had experience with the 1.8 in the 9th generation model, the 1.0 builds on the power the 1.8 had, actually if anything it 'fills in' where the 1.8 may have fallen short.

Honda Europe recently announced that the 10th-generation Civic for the continent will feature the company’s all-new 1.0 and 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo engines. This time round, more details about Honda’s turbocharged powerplants have surfaced and we’re bringing them to you.

Starting with the smallest offering, the liquid-cooled 1.0 litre three-cylinder turbocharged VTEC engine produces 127 hp and 200 Nm of torque, which is 12 hp less than the R18Z1 1.8 litre naturally-aspirated engine it replaces, but generates 26 Nm more torque (15% increase). In this instance, the engine is powering a test mule in the shape of a European Civic hatchback you see here.

For now, most of the performance figures are estimates, including a century sprint time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 209 km/h. The same is said about how green the engine is, with an estimated fuel economy of 28.06 km per litre (a 20% improvement over the 1.8 litre unit, following the NEDC mode), while CO2 emissions stand at 99 g/km when mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Click to expand...

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Chitown Drifter

· #7 · Mar 8, 2016

My only "concern" about the 1.0 turbo is whether it will be available in the US market. I'm definitely willing to sacrifice some acceleration (compared to the 1.5 turbo) for better fuel economy.

The only Honda I've ever driven is the car I'm ready to replace -- the Fit Sport 5MT I bought new in Jan 2007.

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Lucio

· #8 · Apr 29, 2016

Meglio Honda Civic Sedan (berlina)

Sono un felice possessore di una Honda civic 1.6 LS del 1996 (quella stile 'Rover' per intenderci), il cui motore funziona ancora bene dopo circa 20 anni di utilizzo! Il prossimo anno vorrei cambiarla con la nuova Honda 10 generazione con motore turbo 1.0. Dico subito che la Hatchback NON mi piace e vorrei comprare la berlina Sedan attualmente venduta negli USA la cui linea elegante e filante piace molto di più a noi europei! Spero con tutto il cuore che la versione Sedan sia venduta anche in Italia perchè se la Honda crede di sfondare solo con il modello Hatchback credo che potrebbe non vendere secondo le aspettative. Il design giapponese mal si concilia con i gusti europei e mi dispiace che alla Honda non l'abbiano ancora capito! Una auto di eccellente tecnologia come la Civic merita un design molto migliore, più pulito ed elegante, proprio come il modello Sedan (finalmente un design elegante e convincente!). Mercedes e Volkswagen si affidano a designer italiani per le loro auto e vendono tantissimo! Anche la Toyota se non erro si affida a designer europei per le loro auto e anche loro vendono tantissimo. Perchè non vi affidate anche voi a designer europei? Vendereste molto di più. Per favore inoltrate questo messaggio ai vertici Honda.

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