2017 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK PROTOTYPE BRINGS SPORTY, EURO STYLING TO NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT IN NEW YORK

◾New Turbo technology for manual transmissions confirmed for entire 2017 Civic lineup

◾New Civic hatchback prototype offers best look yet at Euro sport hatch-inspired compact car

◾Assertive stance and distinctive new design establishes 10th generation as the sportiest Civic ever

Mar 22, 2016 - NEW YORK -- The next-generation Civic Hatchback, with its striking design and the promise of a sporty, European-inspired driving experience, today made its North American debut in prototype form just a day before the 2016 New York International Auto Show. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. also confirmed that it will marry the all-new 1.5-liter turbo engine to its 6-speed manual transmission for more sporty and dynamic performance. The arrival of the production 2017 Civic Hatchback later this year marks the continued rollout of the 10th-generation Civic lineup, the sportiest and most expansive family of Civics in the car's 44-year history. The Civic Sedan was recently named the 2016 North American Car of the Year, and sales of Civic are up 37 percent through the first two months of 2016.

Being built on the same world-class platform as the 10th-generation Civic Sedan, the 2017 Civic Hatchback will be defined by an unparalleled combination of sportiness, efficiency and utility, with distinctive styling and premium features that enthusiasts demand. The five-door hatchback will feature one powertrain for the U.S. market, a 1.5-liter DOHC direct-injected Turbo engine that can be mated to either a sporty CVT or a slick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission.

'The Civic Hatchback wraps the 10-generation Civic platform and five-door hatchback utility in emotional, Euro-inspired styling,' said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 'Offered with the first application of the 1.5-liter turbo engine paired with a manual transmission, this sportiest Civic to date will attract a whole new set of enthusiasts buyers to the model and Honda brand.'

The Civic Hatchback will launch later this year as the third new Civic variant, joining the 2016 Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe. The 10th-generation Civic lineup will be rounded out in 2017 with the arrival of Civic Si variants and the radical new Civic Type R.

The 2017 Civic Hatchback was developed by the joint efforts of Honda R&D teams in Europe and Japan and is expected to bring new buyers into the Honda showroom here in the U.S.

'We knew that we needed to create a striking and stand-out exterior design that challenged conventional European compact styling while staying true to the original Civic's core values,' said Daisuke Tsutamori, chief exterior stylist for the 2017 Civic Hatchback Prototype. 'This vehicle represents a marriage of distinctive and sporty design, rewarding driving dynamics and versatile practicality.'

New larger and wider wheels and tires give a feeling of an assured stance, while the long wheelbase, short overhangs and sleek cabin area further add to the dynamic feel of the exterior. At the front of the car, a short overhang with large air intakes presents a sharp and aggressive interpretation of Honda's family face. LED headlights and daytime running lights flow from beneath the boldly sculpted hood into the muscular front wheel arches.

The sleek and swept-back body lines continue along the side of the car with a crease that incorporates front and rear door handles before culminating in the distinctive C-shaped LED rear lights. A second, lower character line extends from behind the front wheels up through the doors and meets the rear wheel arches, emphasizing the car's dynamic forward-leaning stance. At the rear, the bumper incorporates angular creases and vents, designed to echo the aggressively styled nature of the rest of the car.

The 2017 Civic Hatchback will be produced exclusively at the Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) plant in Swindon.

For more information about the 10th-Generation Honda Civic Sedan, Coupe and new Civic Hatchback please visit http://hondanews.com/channels/civic.

About Honda

Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies through approximately 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic and Accord passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport/utility vehicles, and the Odyssey minivan. The next generation Ridgeline pickup truck is set to debut later this year. Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 30 years and currently operates 16 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2015, more than 99 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

1 Preliminary mileage ratings determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage ratings not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors.'

by Honda

Manufactured by Honda in July of 1972, the two-door sedan Honda Civic was small and compact yet filled with vast interior space.

Rated as Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1980, the Civic achieved status on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best lists six time from 1985 to 1996. At the 2006 North American International Auto show (NAIAS) Car of the Year awards, the Civic took home the North American Car of the Year title.

The first-year civic came with an estimated 50 horsepower, and a 1,169 cc inline four-cylinder engine. Weighing only about 1,500 pounds, the Civic came with 0.71 horsepower per cubic inch. The Civic came with a transverse engine, and 1169 cc engine with front wheel drive and a wheelbase of 220 cm.

Sold as either a four-speed manual or two speed, this vehicle typically came with a A radio, heater, plastic trim, painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap and two-speed wipers.

Eventually becoming more luxurious, the updated Civic comes with satellite-linked navigation, power lock and windows and as a six-speed manual.

Before 1973, Honda was better known for producing motorcycles than vehicles. It was the arrival of the Civic that turned around the Honda opinion and its predilection for vehicle production. Achieving more than 40 mpg on the highway, this small car had room for four passengers.

Available in either a 3-door hatchback or a sedan version, this vehicles were identical except for their rear options. The sedan offered a small vertical panel that opened and provided access to the ‘trunk'.

Arriving with standard options such as power front disc brakes, reclining bucket seats, woodgrain-accented dashboard and vinyl seating, the options were minimal butincluded air conditioning, automatic transmission, rear wipers (in the hatchback) and radial tires. The hatchback also included a fold-down rear seat, cloth upholstery and an AM radio.

Honda Civic's have always represented dependability and a good value for the price. At a base price of around $2,200, the Civc was considered to be practical and ecconomical without any pretenses.

Nearly two years after its release, the engine expanded to 1,237 cc and available horsepower when from 50 to 52. The bumpers on the Civic also grew longer along with its overall length to 146.9 inches to meet the 5-mph bumper impact standard.

A design that promoted cleaner and more efficient combustion, the CVCC (Controlled Vortex Combustion Chamber) was introduced in 1975 and eliminated the need for a catalytic convertor or unleaded fuel to meet emission standards. This new engine offered 53-horsepower displaced 1, 499 cc.

In 1975 a manual 5-speed manual gear box also became available at the same time as the Civic station wagon was released. The station wagon measured an overall length of 160 inches and had a wheelbase of 89.9 inches and came with the new CVCC engine.

In this same year, Civic sales ranked a whopping 100,000 units.

With an increase of the CVCC engine to 60 horsepower, 1978 models had new black grilles, new turn signals and rear-facing hood vents.

The 1980 Civic came with a sleek body that had an increased wheelbase at 88.6 inches for the Hatchback and 91.3 inches for the wagon. At the same time, the ‘sedan' version was no longer produced.

In 1981, a four-door sedan was introduced, and at the same time the rudimentary two-speed unit was replaced by a more modern three-speed automatic. The following year the five-speed ‘FE' (Fuel Economy) was released and achieved 41 mpg in the city, and 55 mpg on the highway. Updated features included rectangular headlamps and black bumpers.

In 1984 the Civic began to expand in size, and also became more advanced and sophisticated in terms of design. A new 1.5 liter-engine with 12 valves and 76 horsepower came on the newly released Civic.

Civic's strong reputation as a reliable and dependable vehicle continued through the years. Popularity for Honda vehicles continued to rise and their annual sales topped 200,000.

by Jessican Donaldson