MotorTrend: 2012 Euro Honda Civic 5dr HB Spied

Whether or not the looks of the 2012 Honda Civic sedan and coupe do anything for you, if you’re a Honda fan, you’ve probably coveted the not-for-U.S.-consumption hatchback model at some point or another. While Europe got three- and five-door versions of the last-generation Civic, a hatchback hasn’t been offered in the U.S. since the seventh-generation Civic Si ended production. Even if that doesn’t change with the current generation, our spy photographer has snapped some shots of the 2012 Civic five-door hatch that, for some, might make the grass look a bit greener on the other side of the pond.

When we last saw it, the 2012 Civic hatch was covered from nose to tail with camo, making it difficult to pick out any clear details. Now, much of the camo has been removed, revealing body panels and more of the car’s overall shape. The headlights appear to have the same shape as those of the sedan and coupe, but as the last-generation European Civic hatch featured a unique front end, this test mule could be hiding a different grille design.

With the camo on, the rear end bears a slight resemblance to that of the BMW 3 Series GT we caught testing last month, with an almost sedan-like notch in the back. This suggests that the model might continue the styling theme of the previous generation, which had a step carved into the hatch simulating the appearance of a rear wing. Still, it could also be fake bodywork added to throw us off the scent. As we noticed previously, the taillights appear to have shifted further up the C-pillar and into the corners, possibly spreading out vertically rather than horizontally as on the last generation. One of the test mules also appears to sport a glass roof, possibly an option that will be available for European hatchback models.

While there’s no official word on whether or not a Type R badge will ever grace the backside of this model, it would be the more likely candidate for Honda’s performance compact, as the three-door model was chosen as the basis for the last-generation Civic Type R. As with the previous generation, you can expect drivetrain options to mirror what’s available here in the States – perhaps with the exception of a few Europe-only engines, likely to include one or two diesel offerings.

Although the hatchback version of the Civic has been enjoyed by almost every other market except the U.S. in recent years, Honda hasn’t specifically shot down the notion of it coming here this time around. Then again, Honda hasn’t had much to say about it at all. What do you think? Should Honda add the hatchback model to its U.S. lineup?

Source:
http://wot.motortrend.com/spied-five-door-honda-civic-hatch-takes-drive-europe-87651.html#ixzz1PSQyzJOg