Honda is hosting a big event next week to reveal the all-new 2016 Civic Sedan, but a keen-eyed photographer in Ann Arbor, Michigan has managed to spot the car in the open ahead of time.
Originally posted on CivicX, the photos show an expectedly toned-down version of the tenth-generation Civic Concept that premiered at the 2015 New York Auto Show, with a sleek, sloping greenhouse and boomerang-style taillights highlighting the silhouette. The photographed four-door appears to be the range-topping Touring variant as well, which means the wheels, chrome trim pieces, and LED headlights are likely unique to this particular version.
Even in unflattering light and a fairly dull color, the new car looks more distinguished, upscale, and unique than those that came before it. In fact, it’s probably the best-looking Civic of the last 15 years, one that will hopefully inject some much-needed sportiness into the model range. This is just the sedan after all, so we expect the coupe — which will be unveiled in winter — as well as the hatchback and performance variants, to look even better.
Underneath the sedan’s fresh face is a new global platform that will underpin every tenth-generation Civic made. In North America, power will be sourced from an all-new 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine that will bolt up to either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. Specific output for the Civic hasn’t been revealed yet, but the 1.5-liter powerplant in Honda’s Step WGN minivan makes 147 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque, so we expect similar numbers here. Other powertrains could be announced during the vehicle’s official reveal on September 16, so stay tuned for more details.
As for whoever left this supposedly well-guarded Civic out on a public street in broad daylight, you might want to try the garage next time.
