New Civic Sedan and Coupe Models are Longer, Wider and More Powerful
Honda doesn't make many mistakes, but when it killed its two-seat CRX after model year 1991 for the unloved 1993 del Sol, a host of loyal sports coupe fans had few alternative choices. Some bought into the heavier, less agile del Sol due to its removable roof panel, but there's little doubt Honda lost others to alternative Japanese brands such as Mazda, which had just started selling its 130-horsepower V6-equipped MX-3 Precedia. Still, the majority of CRX-patriots purchased Civic hatchback models and fixed them up to satisfy their need for something sporty.
In another rare Honda blunder, the Civic hatchback was dropped after the 2000 model year and not replaced until a dolled-up, British-made Civic SiR hatch debuted in the 2002 model year. But this car didn't pull in much of the tuner crowd either, due to a jellybean appearance and an extremely high price tag, at least when compared to the previous Civic hatchback. Therefore, sales were so slow that model year 2004 was its last.
So what kind of future Civic is in store for enthusiasts? So far, Honda has shown its Si concept that will replace the current top-line coupe. Spy photos of this model, along with shots of the new sedan have shown up on most automotive blogger sites, so there's no question as to its validity, but Honda might have something even more intriguing for the following year.
Yes, word has it that a new CRX is on the way for the 2007 model year, taking advantage of the upgraded Civic design. A return to a two-seat sports car would be welcomed by enthusiasts, as long as it was inexpensive.
This new model wouldn't feature anything near as sophisticated as a double wishbone suspension up front if built, but rather incorporate simple MacPherson struts just like its sedan and coupe siblings, while the rear setup may receive a tautly tuned multilink design, although nothing has yet to be announced.
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| So far, Honda has shown its Si concept that will replace the current top-line coupe. (Photo: Honda Canada) |
In another rare Honda blunder, the Civic hatchback was dropped after the 2000 model year and not replaced until a dolled-up, British-made Civic SiR hatch debuted in the 2002 model year. But this car didn't pull in much of the tuner crowd either, due to a jellybean appearance and an extremely high price tag, at least when compared to the previous Civic hatchback. Therefore, sales were so slow that model year 2004 was its last.
So what kind of future Civic is in store for enthusiasts? So far, Honda has shown its Si concept that will replace the current top-line coupe. Spy photos of this model, along with shots of the new sedan have shown up on most automotive blogger sites, so there's no question as to its validity, but Honda might have something even more intriguing for the following year.
 |
| A return to a two-seat sports car would be welcomed by enthusiasts, as long as it was inexpensive. (Photo: Honda Canada) |
This new model wouldn't feature anything near as sophisticated as a double wishbone suspension up front if built, but rather incorporate simple MacPherson struts just like its sedan and coupe siblings, while the rear setup may receive a tautly tuned multilink design, although nothing has yet to be announced.