Spyshots: 2012 Honda Civic Test Mule

With the release date for the next generation Honda Civic still some one year away, the Japanese manufacturer has begun testing the underpinnings of the future model by wrapping it neatly under current generation Civic body components.

Despite rumors of the new model to be both smaller and lighter compared to the current model, the 2012 Civic caught by our spyphotographers rides on a wider track, pointing to the use of basically the same dimensions as in today's version. At the interior, the space will likely remain the same in terms of size as with the today generation.

Engine wise, the new Civic is rumored to use four-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel units, with power outputs ranging between 80 and 140 hp. The current 1.3l i-VTEC hybrid engine is expected to be featured in the new model as well, possibly with a few changes.

Honda already stated the new car will be more fuel efficient than the current model, because of the worldwide emphasis placed on this trait.

“We are taking more time to rethink the new Civic and all our models,” Honda CEO Takanobu Ito said back in 2009. “We had to revisit our development work and planning to comply with the change in the environment. The team is struggling. We are injecting more manpower to meet our target.”

As for the release date, the new Honda Civic has no chance of being seen this year. Altough it is believed the Civic will hit the streets in 2011, some even point to early 2012 as the year when the new model will be launched.

❐ Check out the Spyshots: 2012 Honda Civic Test Mule photo gallery