2012 Honda Civic hatch spy shots

Article
Gallery

By Brett Davis | June 15th, 2011

Honda has been spotted testing the upcoming 2012 Honda Civic hatch out on public streets. The new model US-spec Civic sedan was unveiled at the 2011 New York Autoshow, but this is the first time the hatch version of sorts has been seen.

It’s hard to tell from these images just how much of the exterior will change from the current hatch design. The front looks like it will take on a similar face structure to the current model, with a relatively flat and well blended headlight and grille surface.

From the back it appears the new Civic hatch could feature the same rear-vision obscuring rear spoiler layout, however, judging from these images, the rear step might have been put there on purpose as camouflage on this particular test mule.

As for the running gear, the same front-wheel drive platform will be carried over from the existing lineup. This includes the range of VTEC petrol engines and the hybrid model. Diesel versions are also likely to continue in European markets. Stop/start technology is also expected to make its way into the lineup.

The 2012 Honda Civic hatch is expected to be unveiled in full some time later this year at an international motor show, and hit certain markets around the world, including Australia, some time in 2012.

vti07

Hope this looks more interesting than the new sedan…

Lazybones

A Honda lawnmower looks better than the sedan. What a design failure. I thought the current sedan was boring enough.

anthony

By global sales,the sedan is much more popular than the hatch,which only really sells reasonably well in Europe.

Drac

Isn’t that because they pretty much only sell it in Europe?
billyaussie

I agree. The hatches are mainly sold in Europe as their is greater demand for them there in the first place. I much prefer sedans. in most cases, the hatch models of a car are just a modified back – which in many cases ruins it, big time! of course that doesnt apply to civics, as they tend to be almost two completely different cars, in terms of outwardly design. but anyway…

Pauly

The hatch would sell well here if Honda Australia didnt ask for such rip off prices for the car.

I know they have dropped the price by 6K or so, but its still too expensive for what it is.

I agree that Hatches are only really popular in Europe, Australia and some asian countries. Japan and America love their sedans.

samurai

Kei cars are popular in japan, they’re are mostly hatchbacks

http://caradvice OSU811

I heard that they are not bringing the next generation hatch to Australia! only the sedan..

Lox

Yeah, I remember reading that recently. I was so disappointed.

Lox

I hope they don’t style the front after the insight. ugh.
PS

What Honda Australia has failed miserably at is marketing. For some reasons brands like VW, Peugeot and Renault can get away with charging premium for their European origin despite their actual worth but people still associate Honda with Japanese Economical boxes.

Granted their products look a bit boring (with the exception of Accord Euro, Odyssey), they are technically brilliant. But then, a car company that has got no Halo car and that is largely represented by the Honda Jazz is not going to excite anyone.
Eg Hatch

They should test that civic infront of my house. if so, i would run after it and rip this god damn tape off…
billyaussie

Honda’s a bloody awesome cars, and anyone who knows cars and appreciates them for the magnificent machines that they are will know that. Nobody considers them economical boxes, unless they either 1. are pretending that they are rich, or 2. have an expensive european car and thus think little of anything else. the fact is Hondas are famous for their outstanding fuel economy and good power for engine size despite not using forced induction. dont forget the likes of the civic type r (japan market sedan),s2000, and the NSX supercar (the NSX did feature, albeit extremely briefly, in one of the Fast & Furious films for God’s sake!). i do think that the new civic in the US (apart from the coupe) looks a bit boring, but the current model sedan is bloody awesome and it was even more awesome when it came out in 2006. I look forward to the new sedan though – not every generation of car model is as outrageously different to its predecessor. outrageous design changes only occur every 2nd generation or more. generally at least. p.s. i prefer sedans over hatches anyway (with one or two exceptions though)