2015 Honda Civic hatch getting Type R-inspired facelift
The Honda Civic hatch is getting a sporty makeover inspired by the forthcoming Type R hot-hatch.
CarAdvice’s spy photographers snapped this camouflaged Civic hatch prototype in the UK, revealing a host of styling revisions for the facelifted five-door ahead of its anticipated unveiling later this year.
The front and rear of the updated hatchback take cues from the Civic Type R concept that debuted at March’s Geneva motor show and gave an early preview of the high-performance model that’s set to launch in 2015.
The prototype features the same sharply cut headlights with ‘lightning bolt’ LED daytime running lights lining their lower edges.
A new black, diamond mesh grille sits in a redesigned front bumper, which sports a larger central air intake and bigger cut-outs surrounding the car’s circular fog lights.
The rear gets new LED tail-lights with revised lenses, while a large diffuser creates a sporty look at the base of the rear bumper. The absence of an obvious exhaust outlet suggests the spied car is representative of a less powerful, entry-level variant.
CarAdvice has contacted Honda Australia about its plans for the updated model. The current-generation UK-built Honda Civic hatch, which launched in Australia in February 2012, received a minor facelift in April, suggesting the updated hatch is unlikely to reach local showrooms until sometime in 2015.