First look: Seriously stylish '06 Civic

HONDA’S eighth-generation Civic has emerged in final production form ahead of its Frankfurt motor show debut next month – and appears identical to the radical concept that graced auto shows in Geneva and Chicago earlier this year.

Featuring the same cab-forward, wedge-shaped styling as the concept vehicle – with integrated lighting and triangular foglights and exhaust outlets – the new Civic hatch is due in Australia early next year and is claimed to set new standards for small cars.

Despite being 35mm shorter, 35mm lower and 65mm wider (with 34/45mm wider front/rear wheel tracks) than the current Civic hatch, the newie is bigger inside – where a new "Dual Link" instrument concept displays vital information like road speed more prominently to the driver.

Flip-up rear seats (which also have a "one-motion, dive-down" feature to create a flat load space) and a centre-mounted fuel tank liberate 485 litres of cargo space.

The C-segment’s first six-speed manual transmission will accompany all three engine options, while petrol engines – comprising a 61kW 1.3 and a new 103kW/174Nm 1.8 iVTEC four – will also offer a six-speed automated manual gearbox. Some markets will also get a 103kW 2.2 diesel.

The new Civic’s safety kit includes ABS, EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), active front head restraints, front seatbelt pretensioners and seatbelt reminders all round.

Despite the shortest front overhang in its segment, Honda expects the 2006 Civic to score a maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash test result.