I don't have the mag so I can't post a scan, but it looks really good. It's a wedge-shaped hatchback, the front has the TSX look.

Of course it's just a sketch so it doesn't mean anything but hopefully it's one of the ones that come out to be true! Check it out and scan it if you buy MT.

PS. I know, I know...

 

Find someone with a scanner, ASAP!

 

 

I wouldn't trust anything out of Motor Trend - out of all the auto publications, I find their pictures of future models to be the most unreliable and based on their own artists' imaginations, not on any spy shots or other evidence besides what a manufacturer tells (not shows) them. Remember the pics they had of how the new Accord would look? Wasn't even close. I'll wait until another source corroborates or confirms it, though if Honda stays true to form, it'll be a few more months before we see some good sketches, and a few more months after that before we see some spy shots of the actual car, let alone an undisguised pic of a production model.

I did find the following sketch of a 2006 Civic Hatch from a German website though:

 

no that isn't it. I as well have seen it, and if it's true, I would be happy; it would mean the return of the sporty, economical compact. The RSX is ok, but just can't be pushed and isn't as fun to drive as the old CRX's and ITRs. The only compact I would even think of buying right now other than the RSX would be the Sentra SE-R. That shows how poorly the market has declined for them. However, with Scion coming from Toyota, maybe the demand is back .

BTW, the picture I saw was from Car and Driver's December issue. I was going to start a Thread, but I felt ill-prepared because I had no pictures.

 

Because everyone else said it:

 

I have that issue of Motor Trend. It doesnt look too bad a sketch.

 

I can't believe no scans have made it onto the Internet yet! I've gotta go and get that issue of C&D.

 

The Civic in Europe looks totally different than the USDM. This pic might of the future European model.

 

It looks like a minivan.

 

In UK at least it's the same exact car. The only addition is a slightly different looking 5-door. But it's the same styling etc, with just a few cosmetic changes.

 

If you want to know what the MT drawing looked like, all you have to do is look at an Acura RSX. I couldn't tell the difference.

The implication of the text was more significant anyway. They say the next Civic borrows space utilization ideas from the Jazz, and that Honda is worried about acceptance of that in the US. I think the implication is that it is getting away from the traditional 3 box profile that is pretty much the only car style Americans will buy.

The coupe was somehow supposed to placate those people. That doesn't make sense, but that seemed to be what MT was saying.

They already make Civic hatches in various forms for the rest of the world , so neither does it doesn't make sense that they they couldn't continue to do a traditional sedan for the Americans.

Personally, I love monospace vehicles, but my tastes are not mainstream

 

I don't get it - I don't see how there would be any negative perception from having a hatch in the Civic lineup, after all that's how the Civic started. If the product is good enough, the public will lap it up anyways, and the success of the Mazda Protege5 and 3 hatch should convince Honda that there is a market. (But maybe they'll keep the hatch configurations in a Fit/Jazz model, if they bring it over.)

 

I think the implcation was that it would be _only_ hatchbacks. Not sure why that would be the case, but that is how I took the MT comments.

 

 

I think it actually looks pretty hot!

 

Did anyone notice that these are TSX wheels?

 

kenji, that's one of your photo chops, right?

 

It has to be photoshopped.

If it isn't, can you say, Mazda3?

iamhomin, who thinks Mazda has took some of the Acura designs.

 

The lower third of the car looks like the TSX (wheels [although there are only 4 lugnuts] and lower door), the handles and body crease look like they're from the current Civic, and the headlights look like they were photochopped off of a Camry. If that were a real car on display at what looks like an auto show, we would have seen other pictures of it already.

 

Not too good a scan, but you should be able to see the image.

 

The grille is from the RSX. And question: wouldn't it be the 2006 Civic, not 2005, if it's released end of 05?

 

Sorry guys, I got my image from 7thgencivic.com

 

Looks similar to TSX headlights.

 

Unless there's going to be a global Civic model, I doubt it'll look like that in North America given the brand differentiation Honda's been doing between Honda and Acura lately.

The more I read the text underneath the picture, the less I understand. It doesn't say anything about a sedan, says that American Honda is not sure if the new car will resonate with buyers, but then says they hope to regain some buyers with a coupe - so what was real in there? All the specs are pure speculation. If American Honda is worried about whether the car hits the right demographic, then I think we're all in a lot of trouble as it's pretty late to be worrying about that now - that should have been settled months ago.

 

I was thinking of the usual model I see on the road



While available (only in a few markets - not available in Switzerland) - I very rarely see the USDM style 4 door.

 

Yup. The 5-door. It's the same platform as the Si, just stretched and nerfed.

 

I doubt it. The artist is using this other pic of the upcoming RSX (also from Motor Trend, I bet it's the same artist) as a base to work off of. Honda already discontinued the Acura 5-point grille on the Odyssey; it won't be shared with any future Honda's destined for US shores.

 

And you know this because?

 

Mostly magazines . But seriously, along with magazines, people's inputs, and plain old specs, I happen to know someone with an ITR and he says (along with many others) that the current RSX-S is just not as satisfiying as the old ITR. And the CRX, I'm sure the lack of weight is a reason for something . BTW, they do say the RSX-S is quite on the heavy side (heavier than the base RSX even). Maybe that plays into the equation?

 

Dayum, I got

TOV's got a spy pic and it looks just like that rendering.

 

Fair enough I was going to buy a pre-owned CRX in 94 after I wrecked my Sentra. I remember it had a roll bar in it, seats with 5 point harness and ground effects. I went to test drive it and it was the first time I ever drove on a street with a stick! I peeled out of the dealer lot, it was great.

But, back then I wasnt into cars as much so I didnt buy it soley based on the fact that the ground effects were pretty beat up (ie, riced out). So, what do I end up buying? A Suzuki Samurai I still regret it to this day. That CRX was hella fun during the test drive.

I will NEVER buy a boring car again!