One of the automotive world’s best-known nameplates is about to be overhauled.
The 2021 Honda Civic – the badge’s 11th generation – has been snapped ahead of its reveal (albeit in near-production prototype form) on streaming platform Twitch next week.
Caught by our spy photographers in Germany, the Civic sedan will trade the sharp edges and angles of the current model for a smoother design more in keeping with that of the Insight and Accord.
The new headlights are slim, and feature a new LED light signature. As revealed by previous patent images, they’ll be linked by a narrow grille similar to that of the larger Accord sedan.
There are low-set fog lights in the redesigned front bumper, along with an air intake in the centre.
Expect to see fewer creases along the side of the new Civic, with these images and previous patent leaks instead pointing to cleaner flanks with simple character lines flowing front-to-rear.
Down back, the crab-claw shaped tail lights are gone. They’ve been replaced with larger lights more in keeping with the Accord’s design, along with a new LED signature that matches that of the front end.
With a sloping roofline and tapered window line, the profile of the new Civic sedan doesn’t veer too far from what’s familiar in profile.
Given next week’s reveal will be a prototype, it’s not clear what will power the next-generation Civic.
The current car is offered with a 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated petrol at the base level producing 104kW of power and 174Nm of torque, with a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder with 127kW of power and 220Nm of torque in higher-spec models. Both engines use a continuously-variable transmission.
The flagship Civic Type R has a VTEC turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 228kW of power at 6500 rpm and 400Nm of torque from 2500-4500 rpm. The only transmission is a six-speed manual with rev-matching.
A choice of hatchback and sedan bodies is expected to continue. A coupe was offered in North America in the current generation but it was discontinued this year, so there’s unlikely to be a two-door model in the 11th generation.
MORE: Honda Civic RS review
MORE: Honda Civic hatch spied in patent images
