The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback made its U.S. debut at the New York International Auto Show on Tuesday, but the big news reverberates throughout the entire Civic lineup.
The new hatchback, which will be built in the UK, will offer only one engine, the 1.5-liter turbocharged four currently available in higher-trim Civic sedans and coupes. But it will be offered with a choice of either a CVT or a six-speed manual, the first application of a manual transmission with the new turbo four (currently only the base 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder can be equipped with a manual).
During the announcement, Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda division, revealed that starting in the fall, all Civics – sedans, coupes and hatchbacks – will have the option of a six-speed manual transmission to go along with the turbo four. That noise you hear is the sound of Civic enthusiasts around the country passing out from sheer joy.
The hatchback, which is still a prototype, continues with the good looks that span the entire new Civic line, but with an abbreviated rear end that incorporates a roof spoiler and a clever integrated window lip spoiler that flows between the tail light clusters.
Inside, the new hatch should share the sedan’s upgraded interior and will include Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatibility.
The hatchback will arrive in showrooms later this year, as will Si variants of all Civic models and the vaunted return of the Civic Type R, which will be based on the hatchback and will be available in the U.S. for the first time.
Check out the Civic Hatchback in prototype form in the video below.
