Wow, look at those robots go! The all-new Civic X hatchback has entered production much sooner than we expected, the Sunderland factory having already released 15 minutes of awesome assembly footage.
They've really stepped up their game, installing robot glazers that install the windshields, using higher strength steel and cutting production times.
This 2017 Civic 5-door hasn't even made its debut at the Paris Motor Show yet. But an army of machines is stamping, welding, painting and assembling cars already. There's a lot to like about this Civic hatchback. Sure, the design as polarizing as heck, but the engineering is solid.
The Civic X is based on the same platform as the US market sedan and coupe. It's even got the same 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and transmission choices: six-speed manual or CVT.
Because there's 15 minutes of footage, which is a lot, we get to see some of the processes we usually miss out on. For example, you can check out how several technicians put the front and rear suspension systems together.
Honda hasn't had much luck with the European hatchback until now. Due to low demand, the company has been forced to cut one of the shifts in Sunderland, laying off several hundreds of workers. But they are quietly optimistic about this all-new Civic. It's got two exhaust pipes in the middle for goodness' sake!
The car is much bigger, allowing for an almost Octavia-sized 478-liter trunk and much-improved passenger legroom. And the Ford Focus is going to be in big, big trouble because the Civic will also have a 1-liter turbo engine.
Within a few months, the Europeans will receive a revised 1.6-liter diesel engine as well. But the excellent news is that the hatchback is going to be making a return to the US. Next year, a new Civic Type R will be revealed and should prove a major headache for every other hot hatch on the market.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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