First look at new Civic Tourer

HONDA has provided more details about the new Civic Tourer ahead of its official unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The new model was developed and designed in Europe, allowing Honda’s European R&D team to lead the creative and technical design process.

The sleek and sophisticated profile of the Tourer does not compromise the car’s practicality and it delivers exceptional versatility and functionality with plenty of interior space (624 litres).

The Tourer will be powered by the1.6 i-DTEC engine from the Earth Dreams Technology series and a brand new Adaptive Damper System (ADS) will help enhance stability and comfort under varying load and driving conditions.

Civic Tourer Project Leader, Adrian Killham, says he’s proud of the new car’s design.

“To achieve true utility on a compact car, you have to consider how to make the most of the space in the cabin, which generally also affects the design,

? he explained.

“Due to the clever platform of the Civic, we had freedom to optimise the package. The end result is a car that has almost a sports-car silhouette. For me, the strength of the car is the synergy of functionality, versatility, and dynamic expression.

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The exterior design of the Civic Tourer is indeed sophisticated and sporty. Its unique style is defined by a bold line that runs continuously from the front A-pillar to the D-pillar, creating the impression of a floating roof line.

The car’s development team spent much time working on new ways to interpret this section of the car to deliver a feeling of premium value and character.

The glass of the rear quarter window has been extended to cover the body work of the D-pillar and the rear door sash has been raised by 17mm compared to the Civic 5-door to enable this bold styling line and creating an elegant look.

“At first glance it is clear that the Civic Tourer does not look like other Wagons,

? Killham continued.

“Recently-launched cars have tended to follow a similar style. The Civic Tourer has a different balance and appeal.

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The Civic Tourer benefits from the same unique centre fuel tank layout used in the Civic 5-door. The fuel tank is located under the front seats allowing the car to offer unparalleled interior space.

Honda’s unique

‘Magic Seats’ deliver further practicality and space within the Civic Tourer, enabling a range of seating configurations for maximum versatility.

The rear seats assembly folds down in one easy movement, and the interior trunk floor of the Civic Tourer has been raised compared to the 5-door to create a completely flat area when folded down.

The rear seat cushions can also be flipped up to reveal ample floor space for carrying tall objects. A 60:40 split in the seat base offers even more options for carrying both people and cargo and provides an alternative load area if access via the tailgate is limited.

The 1.6 i-DTEC engine is comprised of an aluminium cylinder head joined to an open deck aluminium block and is the lightest diesel engine in its class.

The mechanical friction has been reduced to the level equivalent of a petrol engine. All the rotating parts have been carefully optimised to reduce their friction, helping to provide excellent fuel economy whilst making sure the new Civic Tourer is fun to drive.

The Tourer will be built at Honda’s Swindon plant and is due to go on sale in early 2014.