I think Honda might retire the Civic early. Although new model launches are reserved for fall, they may be gearing up to have the new models in by summer. I know this practice has become more common these days and I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen now given the increased competition on the compact car arena.

 

New Civic looks like the 2003+ Accord. Nothing too surprising.
I'm interested in the final engine output figures.

Nissan has bigger issues with the overly-delayed Sentra redesign.

 

I don't think so. Mostly because the two vehicles shown publicly so far are still concept vehicles with no interiors.

But why show the concepts? I think Honda is preparing for a very radical change with the 8th-generation Civic and they want to show the concepts to have the general public used to the change.

I expect the final four-door sedan and two-door coupé 8th-generation Civics for the North American market to be quite radical compared to the current 7th-generation model.

 

I take it this orange car is the 5 door hatch? Seems to me that most of the Euros are going to taller vehicles for this class. This doesn't look as practical as the others.

 

New spy shots of both the sedan and coupe:

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=364303

5-door hatch is not coming to the USA.

 

Looks bigger, so is there any confirmation of a hatch returning?

 

I'd say a hatch is rather unlikely.

The 5-door is definitely not coming here.

The current 3-door Si has never been a particularly swift seller. Certainly not like the '99-'00 Si coupe was. The new Si is going to be a coupe.

So I'd say, no, we probably aren't gonna see a hatch.

 

I like the BMW-esque door handles. Honda first used that kind on the 7th gen Accord sedan, and it's kinda neat to see them on an economy car.

Little touch of style.

 

always been a fan of those kind of door handles. but fyi, honda used them on the 2nd gen legend, way back in 1991 (maybe earlier, too...). i don't know what took them so long to put them on more of their cars...

 

yea.. and such handles were on the 2nd gen odyssey.

Corolla (economy car) has had them since redesign in 03.

Lancer (economy) has em. I think alot of cars have them these days. they assist opening the door + i know women who complain about breaking nails fromt he old fashion kind.