2014 Honda Civic Tourer breaks cover before official Frankfurt reveal [video]

We knew it was coming to the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but Honda has taken the wraps off the new 2014 Civic Tourer early. The new sporty wagon will be launched as a European model only and was developed and designed in Europe specifically with the EU in mind. Development was lead by Honda’s European R&D team allowing them to focus on that market. It will be built alongside the hatchback variant, CR-V and Jazz in Swindon, UK.

The key to the Civic Tourer’s success in Europe will be its functionality. It features what Honda calls its “Magic Seat system” that offers versatility with class leading cargo space of 624 liters with the rear seats in place and expands to 1668 liters with the rear seats down. The Civic Tourer benefits from a unique center fuel tank layout used in the Civic hatchback that locates the tank under the front seats allowing for more cargo room in back. The Civic Tourer doesn’t look like other wagons and should appeal to a new generation of buyers.

“At first glance it is clear that the Civic Tourer does not look like other Wagons. Recently-launched cars have tended to follow a similar style. The Civic Tourer has a different balance and appeal.” Adrian Killham, Large Project Leader, Civic Tourer. A highly efficient diesel powerplant offered The Civic Tourer will be powered by two engines; the new 1.6-liter diesel engine and the 1.8-liter i-VTEC gas engine in manual or automatic transmission.

The 1.6 i-DTEC diesel was first used in the Civic hatchback and also powers the new European CR-V. The oil-burning 1.6 i-DTEC is the first of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series to be introduced in Europe. Honda says the philosophy behind Earth Dreams Technology is to deliver “an impressive balance between fuel economy and driving performance.” The entry level 1.8-liter i-VTEC gas engine is expected to produce 140 bhp and should be fuel-efficient. The diesel should produce around 118 bhp and will be very fuel-stingy. The 1.6 i-DTEC engine was designed specifically for the European market and is built at Honda’s UK Manufacturing plant. The new diesel variant uses an aluminum cylinder head and block and is the lightest diesel engine in its class. Honda engineers have been able to reduce friction in the oil burner to that of a gas engine.

All internal parts have been optimized to reduce friction and this increases fuel-efficiency. Honda has not released official numbers but the new Civic Tourer should be stingy and also provide an engaging driving experience. New rear adaptive damper system The introduction of a brand new rear Adaptive Damper System (ADS) is a first to be featured on a production car. It helps enhance stability and comfort under varying load and driving conditions. The new system features three settings - comfort, normal and dynamic.

This will allow for more spirited driving for performance-minded drivers. Honda expects the new Civic Tourer to account for one in four Civic sales in the EU. Look for the all-new 2014 Honda Civic Tourer to be launched in Europe in early 2014. Watch 2014 Honda Civic Tourer promo video.