New Honda Civic
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Honda has released the first details of the next generation Honda Civic, which will go on sale in January 2006.
The styling is quite radical for a Civic, although some elements will be familiar from other cars (e.g. the Alfa-style hidden door handles). It looks particularly modern from the front where the conventional grille is replaced by a wide glass panel. Unusually, the new Civic is shorter and lower than its predecessor: now Honda has the FR-V compact MPV, the Civic no longer needs to offer maximum interior height. Packaging is still good however: like the Honda Jazz, it puts the fuel tank below the front seats, which enables a lower boot floor.
All models will include climate control, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), trip computer, front, side and curtain airbags, rake and reach adjustable steering column and Jazz-style rear 'Magic' seats. There will be three engines: 1.4 litre petrol with 83 bhp, 1.8 litre petrol with 140 bhp and 2.2 litre diesel with 140 bhp.
