Honda Debuts Civic Prototype
Honda has introduced the new Civic Prototype, the 11th-generation of the sedan, previewing the arrival of an all-new Civic lineup in late spring 2021. The launch of the Civic Sedan will be followed by the Civic Hatchback, performance-focused Civic Si and the high-performance Civic: Type R.
The 10th-generation Civic has been a success as America’s most popular car four years running, Honda claims, and the most popular vehicle, car or light truck with Millennials, Gen Z, first-time new-vehicle buyers and multicultural customers since its 2015 launch. The 11th-generation Civic will attempt to build on that appeal, the automaker said with an even sportier, fun-to-drive new chassis, more powerful and fuel-efficient powertrains, multiple new Civic-first features and technologies and further advances in active and passive safety features and performance.
“Civic has always exceeded expectations, and the all-new Civic will continue that legacy of setting the standard for compact cars with human-centered design, outstanding dynamics, style, safety performance and driver enjoyment,” said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
In redesigning the Civic, stylists and engineers revisited design concepts of past Civics, the company says.
The design team started with the fundamentals, imbuing the new Civic with a dynamic shape and sporty stance. Carrying forward the low CG package of the 10th–generation model, including its low overall height and low hip point, designers applied the same design ethos with a low hood and front fenders and a low horizontal beltline that grounds the body.
The company also made substantial changes to the Civic’s upper body design to maximize visibility for the driver and passengers, including moving the front roof pillars rearward relative to the driver, to place them more in the visual periphery, and relocating the side mirrors to the doors for a clearer view through the front side windows.
The new design offset the upright grille below the headlights. In profile, the Civic’s greenhouse is moved rearward on the body, elongating the hood. The sharp horizontal shoulder, or C-line, arcs from the front fender to the taillights, while the upswept R-line carries through the rear fenders to the rear reflectors. In the rear, the prototype is equipped with new taillights and an aerodynamically-efficient trailing edge to the trunk lid.
In similar fashion, the all-new Civic will get an interior makeover as it reimagines the clean and uncluttered lines of earlier generations of Civic, Honda said.
The instrument panel is free of visual clutter, minimizing cut lines and breaks to give drivers a clean and clear view of the road ahead, with the door top and dash line blending harmoniously. Stretching the width of the dash is a honeycomb mesh accent, which serves not only as a design element, but also conceals the visually busy air vents.
The 11th-generation also will introduce multiple new Civic-first technologies, including an all-digital driver’s meter cluster and a new 9-inch full-HD Display Audio touchscreen mounted atop the low-set instrument panel.
The 11th-generation Civic will also introduce multiple new active and passive safety systems, including an upgraded suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technologies and multiple new airbag designs. Furthermore, the new Civic comes with an advanced new version of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure with both improved occupant and pedestrian collision protection. The new, more rigid body structure also will contribute to further advances in Civic’s driving refinement, ride quality and sporty handling.
