06 Civic, 07 Accord, 06 VW Cabrio

[SilviaEvo]

The eighth-generation Honda Civic will be arriving shortly - right on schedule for its five-year cycle, and TCC spies caught them with just a piece or two of tape over the emblem and parts of the lights. Details on the upcoming changes to the Civic have been slow to come, but there is speculation of a new hybrid powertrain that will be more fuel-efficient than today's IMA system.

As for the Civic Si, there's more power on tap and sharp new looks. Looking very much like the concept that we've seen at the Chicago Auto Show, Honda had stayed true to its concept styling with only a few minor production changes (including door handles and a huge exhaust tip). The Si will be powered by a 200-horsepower VTEC engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission and should be in dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year



With the 2007 Toyota Camry on its way, Honda is making sure its top-selling Accord sedan doesn't get left behind. The 2007 Honda Accord will get a minor face-lift that gives the rear end of the car an all-new look while leaving the rest of the car virtually unchanged.

As can be seen from our latest spy photos, Honda seems intent on reshaping the Accord's look from behind as its current rear-end styling is often cited as one of its least appealing design elements. The new LED taillights not only give it a different look, they'll also add a small measure of safety as LEDs light up faster than traditional bulbs.

Interior upgrades may be part of the package as well, but don't expect anything beyond minor design and material changes.

Although a debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October is possible, it's more likely that this reshaped Accord will make its debut early next year with sales beginning in mid-2006.

[noosee]

Civic loooks 2 american 2 me.
European version should be a little bit different in order to sell

[gbg]

unbeliveable, this new civic isn't even for sale yet and it already looks outdated

no personality at all on the civic... as always...

[crazidude]

The civic's headlights reminds me of a saturn for some reason.

I hope the accord gets a face lift for the front too, I hate the look of the new accord from the front and the rear, but the interior is pretty nice I must say.

[5vz-fe]

The Civic looks too much like the RSX.

[DeMoN]

None of those pics even moves me. All look bad. There was a civic concept I saw on a Car and Driver mag, god that looked great. Now comparing the concept pic I saw vs the actual car pics, I must say the concept looks even better. All in all, I rather have the looks of a Civic than the one of the Subaru WRX, especially the NEW WRX which looks like crap.

[5vz-fe]

^^What do u care anyways Demon when you are enjoying ur G35 so much

[noliebro]

wow, i did not think that Honda could do it, but they have managed to make their cars plainer. I only hope the dumb kids in my town that make their cars sound like motorcycles dont get their hands on any more of these.

[szumszer]

yeah, it is a little saturn like ... but plain is good, after all this is a civic, and a base model as well, some later versions should be a little more sporty ... overall nothing to get excited about, but probably nice enough and adequate for its market segment

[LotusGT1]

Eruopean version

[911GT1]

OMG thats's just too vulgar... I dont like it. It's like the designer went mad on the rear enda nd that chrome grill... Ugh!!
American version, no personality, no characther, outdated before onsale (like gbg pointed out which is a feat actually) just quick mindless FWD cars.

[abbor]

After the first pics I agreed some with the criticism, but after the last pics from Lotus, I must say I like it very much...

Much better than the last civic..

[HeilSvenska]

Don't tell me that that's the production version.

[5vz-fe]

Originally Posted by HeilSvenska Don't tell me that that's the production version.

Yes, that is the production version .... for European market at the very least.

Originally Posted by Vtec.net August 1, 2005 - Honda Motor Europe Ltd. today announced the all-new, eighth generation Civic for the European market. Wider and lower than the out-going model, the Civic retains virtually all the emotional styling characteristics of the concept car shown at the Geneva Auto Salon in March 2005. This new model will make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2005 and sales are expected to commence in early 2006. Launched to the world in 1972, the Civic has undergone many evolutionary changes to maintain its position as the most successful automobile to be built by Honda, accounting for roughly one-third of total Honda sales worldwide. The current seventh generation Civic is built in 11 countries and sold in 160 markets around the globe. The forthcoming eighth generation Civic promises to change on a revolutionary scale and will attempt to set new standards in the highly competitive European C-segment, particularly in the upper quality/premium sector. The concept car shown in Geneva already revealed Honda’s intention of moving the Civic into a sporty, emotional, and fun-to-drive direction. Key to achieving these qualities is the wedge-shaped forward cabin with lower vehicle height, wider width and shorter length. The overall length is now 35 mm shorter than its predecessor and overall height,35 mm lower. But, in order to create a more dynamic silhouette and a better handling C-segment car, Honda decided to increase the overall width by 65 mm and the front and rear tracks by 34 mm and45 mm, respectively. Despite being shorter and lower on the outside, the new Civic is actually more spacious inside. The interior features the“Dual Link” concept, in which important driving information, including vehicle speed, is displayed in the upper part of the instrument panel, while other information is provided in the lower part. This design allows the driver to concentrate on the road while receiving vital information, enhancing the easy-to-operate and fun-to-drive character of the car. In terms of utility, the rear seats can be tipped up to form a second storage area in the rear passenger cabin. The rear seats also have a one-motion, dive-down feature that instantaneously create a flat loading space. The total volume of the luggage compartment is quite impressive, with 485 litres, thanks to the center positioning of the fuel tank. The cargo floor can drop down to reveal an under-floor compartment. All this flexibility translates into a hidden versatility not expected in a sporty looking car. There is a range of three different engines to choose from: a 1339cc 61kw/83PS petrol unit, a brand new 1798cc 103kw/140 PS petrol unit or a 2204cc 103kw/140 PS diesel unit. All of them are combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox making the new Honda Civic the first car in the C-segment to be equipped with 6-speed gearboxes across all of its range. The petrol units can also be equipped with a 6-speed automated manual transmission. All Civics are equipped with ABS and, for optimum performance, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) which adjusts all wheel brake effort to achieve maximum braking performance and stability. The new Civic also features, across the range, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying brake force to the right or left hand wheels as necessary and managing the throttle and brake systems. Passive safety has always been paramount at Honda. The new Civic has an innovative seat belt reminder system for the rear passengers and both the front seats are fitted with double pre-tensioners. The active front headrests have a decisive role in protecting the passengers against the dangerous whiplash injury. The expected result for the Euro NCAP crash test for this Civic is 5 stars for front and side impact safety, 3 stars for pedestrian safety and 4 stars for child protection safety, making it one of the safest cars in its class, especially considering that it has the shortest front overhang in the C-segment.

Source: http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=385028

[RC45]

Funny - when the Saturn was launched, they made it especially "european" in design to appeal to new buyers.

Now - almost a decade later, Saturn is about to be retooled from the inside out, and the Japs are copying the US design based on Euro trends of 10 years ago.

Oh well - no one said you had to be original to make money.