Could this be the face of things to come for Honda’s new Civic?
The firm’s Open Study Model stole the limelight at the British Motor Show – and it’s likely to influence the design of the next family car, due in 2010.
Featuring a striking front grille and LED headlamps, it has been styled at Honda’s European research centre in Offenbach, Germany, and takes cues from the latest models in the range. It will line up alongside the CR-Z – now confirmed for production – and the all-new Accord.
But as well as looking stylish, bosses were keen for the car to be environmentally responsible. While engineering details are scarce, Auto Express has learned the car will use an evolution of the current Civic Hybrid chassis. It’s likely to be longer and wider than the existing car, and engineers aim to deliver more refinement and involvement.
A new chassis features a fully independent set-up instead of the current beam rear axle. This will mean future Civic hybrids could be built in series, instead of having a unique look. The existing car is a four-door only.
Honda also announced its new hybrid family model will be launched in eight months’ time. Our spies caught the car on test, and it uses the latest Jazz chassis.
The drivetrain is developed from the current Civic hybrid’s, and mates a 1.4-litre petrol unit with an electric motor. Honda is sticking with proven nickel hydride cells, instead of hi-tech lithium-ion batteries, and bosses have hinted it will offer diesel-like economy of 50mpg-plus.