Honda Hatches 2017 Civic Prototype At New York

Thanks to a leaked set of patent images, we now know the upcoming Civic Hatchback won’t look that much different from the concept first unveiled at Geneva and now displayed at New York.

Honda brought the sharp-looking prototype to North America – one of its biggest markets – making its debut at the 2016 New York International Auto Show.

With the upcoming Civic hatch, the Japanese car manufacturer promises a striking design and a sporty, European-inspired driving experience – to do this, Honda will mate the he all-new 1.5-liter turbo engine to its 6-speed manual transmission for a sportier dynamic performance (or an optional CVT).

“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 enthusiast buyers to the model and Honda brand”, said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The 2017 Civic Hatchback will be launched later this year and will be built on the same platform as the 10th-gen Civic Sedan and Coupe. More importantly, Honda says the 10th generation Civic line-up will be rounded by the arrival of the Si and radical Type R variants.

Styling-wise, the hatch features a long wheelbase and short overhangs, and although the big rims won’t make it into production, almost everything else will. The sleek and swept-back body lines, the front fascia governed by the big air intakes and the distinctive C-shaped rear lights.

The production variant will be exclusively manufactured at Honda’s UK manufacturing plant in Swindon.