A new interpretation of the current Civic's "one-motion" mono-form shape, said Honda.
The Honda Civic Si coupe and Civic sedan made world debuts at the North American International Auto Show today in thinly disguised “concept” form, providing the first official glimpse at the styling direction of what are mildly revised Civic models, which will go on sale this spring.
The 2012 Civic is said to return to the company’s vision as a “Civic for all people,” originally expressed as defining the goal of the first-generation Civic. With what Honda calls the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic line is supposed to attract a larger group of compact-vehicle buyers than previously.
The complicated vehicle range, now endemic across the Honda line, coming from a company that once advertised simplicity, demonstrates – A: How fragmented the U.S. market now is with several hundred competing models. B: How Honda has abandoned the core traits that made it successful.
The segmentation is so diverse that it is now rare for a model to sell more than 250,000 units annually, which the Civic does, tallying 260,000 in 2010. However, this is no longer a light and agile Civic, having grown into a much larger car in successive iterations.
The Civic Si Concept coupe is equipped with a rear air diffuser, a center-mounted exhaust outlet and a rear deck lid spoiler with dual vents.
As a result of the complications, the new Civic line includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline engines, two sporty “Si” performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant.
“The Civic is known for providing a balance of ‘just-right’ packaging, fun-to-drive character and outstanding fuel economy, at a price that even first-time buyers can afford,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda.
The exterior styling of both Civic concept models have steeply raked windshields, wide stances and pronounced character lines on the sides in an attempt to bring more emotional appeal to an economy car. (Similar claims were made for the current Civic line.)
The current-generation Civic continues to be a significant for the Honda brand in attracting younger buyers, introducing on average more than 90,000 new-car customers under the age of 35 to the brand every year. More than 95% percent of all Civics sold in the U.S were made in North America at manufacturing facilities in either Greensburg, Indiana or Alliston, Ontario in Canada.
