2012 Honda Civic Concept Destined For Detroit

Images obtained last month show that testing continues for the 2012 Honda Civic, but a new illustration released today suggests the new model is not so far away.

Next month, Honda will go one better, using the Detroit Auto Show to unveil a concept version of the new Civic, based on the illustration shown here.

While this stylised sketch is undoubtedly a sportier look than what we'll likely see in January, Honda says the coming concept will be a significant preview of the actual production car.

Despite its unrealistic lines, today's illustration reveals that we can expect a sleeker, more sports-focussed Civic - inspired more by the current Hatch than the Sedan - when it debuts in production form late next year.

When the new Civic launches, it will face off against the likes of the new 2012 Ford Focus and, in Europe, the latest Opel/Vauxhall Astra.

Originally scheduled to debut late this year, the 2011 launch of the new Civic will make the current platform six years old when it is at last replaced.

The delay was due to a development re-boot that saw Honda's designers return to the drawing board at CEO Takanobu Ito's request that a smaller, more efficient Civic be made the team's focus.