Frankfurt 2011: 2012 Honda Civic

2012 Honda Civic revealed at Frankfurt 2011

We had quite a tease from Honda on the 2012 Civic in the run-up to Frankfurt, but at least it was a tease with substance, rather than just pointless shots of bits of a new car.

Honda made the effort to divvy up ‘official’ spy shots and to put together some talking head videos which, although a little dry, were at least informative.

So it’s nice to see the real deal 2012 Civic at Frankfurt, even if it is very much an evolutionary refresh for 2012, rather than anything too drastic in styling terms. But that’s very Honda, even if previous new Civics have been a bit more adventurous at times.

Honda reckon the new Civic is the most aerodynamic in its class and has managed to offer better visibility whilst getting a bit sleeker in the process.

Changes under the body are said to result in a much improved handling – which the Civic needed – and a superior ride/comfort balance thanks to extensive testing on the UK’s pitted and crumbling roads.

The result of that testing has been a redesigned rear beam axle (yes, it’s still a Torsion Beam rather than multi-link) which gets fluid-filled bushes to improve stability, make cornering sharper and makes everything a bit more comfortable.

Under the bonnet the big change at launch is the tweaked and fettled 2.2 litre i-DTEC , from which Honda has coaxed an extra 10bhp and a couple of lb/ft of torque, yet has managed to make it more economical and got emissions down as low as 110g/km.

Not available at launch, but coming in 2012, will be a new 1.6 litre diesel lump which will give Honda a good entry-level and cheap to run model to get footfall in showrooms.

The 2012 Honda Civic goes on sale next month and looks convincing.

(6 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK