Honda is offering us a glimpse of the next-generation Civic by launching these two concept cars in Detroit: the Civic Concept and Civic Si Concept.

While the production versions will likely be toned down, the concept cars aren’t really that extravagant in the first place. The Civic Si Concept even looks quite a lot like the current Accord Coupe.

Honda claims the new Civic will be more fuel-efficient, and will retain i-VTEC (intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control). A Hybrid will be available on the new car as well, and it will use the latest generation of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system, with a lithium-ion battery. Moreover, sales of the natural-gas powered Civic GX will be expanded.

The production version will go on sales in the spring of 2011, meaning that the launch could occur in Chicago or New York.

Note: For some reason, the Civic Concept was not on the show floor when we came over to the Honda stand to get live pictures, so we are only able to provide studio photos for that car. However, the Civic Si was present, and you can have a look at live photos of that below.

Press Release

Honda Debuts Sleek and Sophisticated Concepts for All-New 2012 Civic Si Coupe and Civic Sedan Models

New Civic goes on sale spring 2011

01/10/2011 – DETROIT

The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe and Civic Concept sedan are making world debuts at the North American International Auto Show today, providing the first official glimpse at the styling direction of the all-new, ninth-generation 2012 model set to go on sale this spring, the company announced.”The Civic is known for providing a balance of ‘just-right’ packaging, fun-to-drive character and outstanding fuel economy, at a price that even first-time buyers can afford,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “The redesigned Civic builds on this legacy and promises to be the best Civic yet.”

The 2012 Civic embraces the company’s vision as a “Civic for all people,” a phrase originally expressed in defining the goal of the first-generation Civic. With the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic lineup intends to meet the needs of an increasing group of compact-vehicle buyers with a renewed vision of a “Civic for all people.” The diverse vehicle range includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, two sporty “Si” performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant. Collectively the depth of the Civic line offers a compelling balance between fuel economy, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance unlike any other vehicle in the industry.

As a new interpretation of the current Civic’s iconic “one-motion” mono-form shape, the upcoming, ninth-generation Civic conveys a more substantial, high-energy appearance. The exterior styling of both Civic concept models showcases the sedan’s and coupe’s clean-yet-powerful lines with steeply raked windshields, wide stances and pronounced character lines along the profile. The lower character line on both models broadens toward the rear fenders to enhance the dynamic feeling of forward energy. The front fender surface treatments form a complex, three-dimensional look to further enhance the image of sophistication and structural depth against the deeply set headlights.

The Civic Concept sedan takes on a sophisticated presence with a front grille defined by crisp lines and a solid bar that integrates a chrome Honda emblem. The look of the Civic Si Concept coupe conveys an aggressive demeanor with a more angular front fascia, mesh grille and a tapered rear roofline that flows smoothly into the trunk.  The Civic Si Concept coupe is exclusively equipped with a rear air diffuser, a center-mounted exhaust outlet and a rear deck lid spoiler with dual vents. Each concept model has 19-inch machined alloy wheels.

Powertrain Technology
The Civic’s family of engines with “intelligent” Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC®) technology become even more fuel efficient for 2012. The upcoming Civic Hybrid offers the latest generation of the compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) gasoline-electric hybrid system and features the first application of a lithium-ion battery in a Honda hybrid.

Building on its emphasis on fuel-economy, most upcoming Civic models receive Honda Eco Assist™ technology, already available in the CR-Z and Insight hybrids. The 2012 Civic is the first U.S. Honda model to employ Eco Assist technology in a gasoline-only powered vehicle. Eco Assist is just one example of how the new Civic can be customized and configured by the drivers to suit individual preferences.

Additionally, Honda is expanding retail sales of the natural gas-powered Civic GX model, which is the only OEM-built, dedicated CNG passenger car assembled in America. The increased availability of the Civic GX helps bring inherently clean-burning natural gas technology to an even broader audience while also supporting diversity in transportation energy resources.

Safety
The 2012 Civic continues to emphasize safety and is anticipated to score well in both the federal government’s New Car Assessment Program¹ (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety² (IIHS) vehicle evaluations. The 2001 Honda Civic Coupe was one of the first two passenger cars ever to earn the federal government’s top 5-star crash safety rating³ for the driver and front- and rear-seat passengers in both frontal and side-impact crash tests.

All 2012 Civics are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) as standard equipment. Additionally, the ninth-generation Civic continues to provide Honda’s exclusive and innovative Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for frontal collision energy management.

Source: Honda

All live photos Copyright © 2011 Igor Magun/The Blog of Cars