Exclusive Spy Video and Photos: 2006 Honda Civic

[Derek-7Gen]

Link to video and article: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=106351

When the Honda Civic Si concept appeared at this year's Chicago Auto Show, the company indicated that it featured at least 90 percent of what would be seen on the production version of the 2006 Honda Civic coupe.

Our spy shots corroborate Honda's testimony, as the barely disguised 2006 Civic coupe in these photos is nearly identical to the concept displayed in Chicago. The sedan prototypes aren't quite as radical, but they do look a little bigger than the current model.

Honda seems to be making a concerted effort to bring tuners back into the picture with the more angular shape of the 2006 Civic coupe. In addition to its all-new body style, the Civic Si will also feature a brand new 200-horsepower i-VTEC four cylinder which will be mated with a six-speed manual gearbox with limited slip differential.

While ample information exists on the upcoming Si, relatively little is known by contrast about the 2006 Honda Civic sedan. Our spy photos indicate a sedan that's slightly bigger yet only marginally different looking that its predecessor.

Another increasingly important part of the Civic lineup is the hybrid version of the car, of which the second-generation version will be appearing this fall. The 2006 Honda Civic hybrid will be powered by a brand-new 3-stage i-VTEC engine along with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist, which has a 20 percent higher output than the current IMA system. Honda claims the engine in the 2006 Civic hybrid will improve its fuel economy by 5 percent over the current version.

Look for the Civic to go on sale in September of this year.