[Rehaan]

Big shoutout to Suhaas307 for shooting these pictures & his coverage of the Auto Expo. Thanks for sharing!

Highlights:

• Honda has 3 launches planned in the next 18 months (FY 18-19), and then 3 more by 2020.

• The first being the all-new Amaze, which was unveiled at the Auto Expo as a World Premiere.

• Next, the 7-seater CR-V. And later - the Civic will make a re-entry into the Indian market.

• A few EV and mobility concepts were also showcased, along with the rest of Honda's current offerings.

[Rehaan]

Honda Amaze

The big news at Honda today was the world premiere of the Honda Amaze - click here for our detailed report.

[Rehaan]

Honda CR-V

Honda also showed off the 5th generation CR-V. It get's a 3rd row of seats & a diesel engine - click here for our detailed report.

[Rehaan]

Honda Civic

• The 10th generation Civic makes a comeback to the Indian market after an absence of 1 generation (we didn't get the 9th gen).

• We'll probably see the face-lifted version launch in India later in F.Y. 18-19 (after the Amaze and CR-V launches).

• Both, petrol & diesel offerings are confirmed.

• We're likely to get the 1.8-litre VTEC petrol and the 1.6-litre diesel.




The Civic sure has grown up. It looks more like an Accord than a Civic:


It's the first vehicle to use Honda's 'global compact vehicle' platform (others being the Accord & HR-V):


There's been a 31 kg weight saving in the body itself, due to the higher grade steel used:


Swept-back LED headlamps are tucked in below the overhang of the hood:


Beside the right hand side fog lamp is an air intake. Not sure if it is for an oil cooler or something else:


The left hand side doesn't have an opening there:


Yokahamas clad the 17" wheels:


The body tucks back inwards after flaring out for the wheel arches:


Note the camera here. It's part of the LaneWatch system that displays a video feed on the infotainment screen - helping drivers avoid blind spots:


From being a 3-box sedan, the 10th gen Civic has moved towards fastback like styling:


Note how the C-pillar goes all the way to the rear edge of the boot in one continuous sweep:


The long sloping C-pillar results in the need for a quarter-glass:


Large taillights look like they are clamping down onto the rear end:


It's not uncommon to see taillights wrap onto the boot, but it is rare to see them wrap onto the top of the boot:


The boot lid curves up slightly to create a lip spoiler at the edge:


The cut-outs on the rear bumper have a faux mesh on them. They do add to the sporty look at the rear:


Note the twin exhaust:

[Rehaan]

The Civic still maintains it's low-slung seating position:


The multi-function steering gets a host of buttons:


I liked the texture on the volume button, which makes it easier to find by touch:


Paddle shifters are mounted to the steering wheel:


The instrument cluster has gone all-digital:


Engine start/stop button:


LaneWatch can be activated by this button, allowing you to see a video feed of the left side of the car:


Footwell gets a chunky deal-pedal:


Door pads are rather sedate:


Note the dedicated "Climate" button under the touchscreen. It brings up the on-screen AC controls, if you prefer using those:


Short and stubby gear shifter has a sporty feel to it:


The floating center console, raised center storage and low seating give the front passengers that familiar Civic "cockpit" feel:


A large lower-level storage bin gets HDMI, USB and 12v sockets:


The covered center storage has an opening to expose the cup holders:




A closer look at the dashboard textures, including the faux stitching:


Sunroof controls:


Interesting that the Civic gets a sunroof when the CR-V doesn't:


The rear seats are still set really low. Not convenient for the elderly:


Though the car is wider, 3 abreast will still be a squeeze:


The floor hump in the center eats into the middle passenger's space. Note the lack of rear AC vents too:


On the plus side, the middle passenger gets a 3-point seatbelt:


Boot lid gets a reverse camera and boot release:


Note that despite the notchback look, the boot still hinges like a sedan. The boot is roomy:


Pulling this handle flips forward the rear seats (there is one handle on each side):

[Rehaan]

Honda NeuV Concept



Interestingly, the entire front facade of the car is made of glass, with the lighting elements placed behind the bodywork:


Nothing says confidence in automated driving like glass bumpers! Note the Honda logo & fog lights behind the glass too:


Looks very similar to the Fiat Doblo from the rear:


Probably the largest door ever seen on any car, bus, truck or concept:


The theme of this concept vehicle is the communication between driver & car. The car judges the driver's facial expressions and tone of voice, and provides assistance for safe driving accordingly:


Another unofficial award for…


...biggest display screen:


And some funky pedals to add that concept-car flair:

[Rehaan]

Honda Sports EV Concept

If this is what an electric sportscar from the future looks like, I'm sold:


It's a bit chatty though... it texts you to let you know how it's feeling:


Sweet! All charged up:


But… but.. you said you were full just a minute ago:


I guess this car can get a bit needy at times:


Phew… Yup, 'ttyl':


The side-strip has a battery indicator built in:


I really love the simple design from every angle. Sweet looking taillamps certainly help this fastback beauty:


It talks at both ends. I can see this being very popular for telling the person in the car behind you what you really think of their driving:


Perfect choice of wheels too. Eye-catching without being unnecessarily flashy:

[Rehaan]

Honda Clarity (Fuel Cell)



A large 'FUELCELL' badge is proudly displayed on the left fender. Honda says the Clarity is the pinnacle of their electrified vehicle technology:


Aerodynamic optimizations help mileage. Every bit counts, as consumers are extra weary about range when it comes to alternate fuels:


I'm getting a bit of a Pontiac Aztec vibe here… let's move on:


The boot & passenger cabin are roomy, since this is the first fuel cell sedan to house the entire stack underneath the hood at the front:

[Rehaan]

The rest of the Honda fleet

[Rehaan]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line.

[raghav.carfreak]

My friend who has been driving this version of the Civic in Canada had mentioned about the camera on the ORVM for the blind spots, glad to see it make its way to the Indian version as well.

The 17inch wheels seem to be bigger than the current OEM size of the previous gen Civic.

But overall, looks like a well kitted out package.

Hope they get their pricing right now. Any indications on price?

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by raghav.carfreak

... mentioned about the camera on the ORVM for the blind spots, glad to see it make its way to the indian version as well

This is not the Indian version. This display car was an Australian spec.

Chances are the Civic will launch in India in Q4 2018 or Q1 2019 - and will be the facelifted version.

Level of kit for the Indian version hasn't been indicated at all, and it's highly unlikely a feature like the LaneWatch system will come to India.

[laluks]

Very Very disappointed with Civic. Definitely 10th gen is not for me. Eighth Gen has set such a wonderful precedence Honda itself is not able to beat.

Floor humps at the rear, lack luster Dash, probably the only solace is a 1.6L diesel. From the picture of the exhaust, I also tend to believe its not independent rear suspension as it was in eight gen.

Well will now wait eagerly for that 11th gen, whatever it may be. 10th Gen and 10th Gen Facelift, sorry and good bye.

CRV if priced well seems like a bet, 7 seat (occasional) family diesel car! But Ford is also nearby. Pricing is the key.

[arch_hornet]

I'm a bit disappointed that there is no HR-V in the Honda lineup here. This is one car I'm looking forward to, and was hoping that it would be showcased this time but alas!

[soonya]

Honda seems to have lost its original founder's vision - many of them look mangled - Korean Kitsch, Chris Bangle and Volvo all combined into a twisted Kurkure kind! Except the all electric white car and short cuboid none look exciting. So many cuts, kurkure twists - I am reminded of our favourite snack during college days - Twisted Tie Biscuits - I used to like the flaky snack. Now do not mistake me, I am not saying that Honda has gone flaky - it's just that my mind was reminded! Come one Honda, the first gen City even today is not out of fashion on the road. What happened to both Honda and Toyota? They seem to compete in creating complex-looking cars! All the surfaces look like twisted cables in a network room! Or Salvador Dali inspired Limpid watches with oodles of noodles hanging! To get classic lines one must work hard. Or to build DNA based themes. I am reminded of Porche - even a 50 year old Porche 911 even today looks fresh on the road. These are so forgettable designs!! Soichiro must be turning in his grave!