10th Generation Honda Civic Concept rocks compact sports car segment

The New York International Auto Show revealed a surprise or two coming to North American drivers in 2016. At the top of our list sits the visually stunning 2016 Honda Civic World-Car Concept. Will it be turbocharged?

That’s the number one question Torque News-Honda readers ask when they comment on Honda’s 2016 Civic Concept. Will it be turbo-powered, what will it cost and when can I buy one?

What we do know

The 10th generation Honda Civic Concept is visually stunning. That’s a personal assessment that’s tough to argue with. A mold-busting design that holds up well when looking to the not too shabby, exiting 9th generation 2015 Honda Civic Sedan, Coupe and performance Si variants; with formidable competition coming from Europe, Japan and U.S. manufacturers.

Civic remains the #1 selling non-fleet-sale compact sedan in North America. None the less, Honda says it’s time to kick it up a notch, Si fans agree.

News of possible North American Type-R

The biggest news coming Honda’s John Mendel was a bit more than a hint, yet less than a commitment as to the import of a U.K. manufactured Civic Type-R 5 door performance hatchback. In speaking with Honda, Torque News confirms that the U.S. bound Civic Type-R will not share platforms with the current built in the U.K. offering.

As Civic Type-R fans dispute the nuances of Mendel’s announcements, we do know that production of the EarthDreams ™ turbocharged 4 cylinder i-VTEC gasoline engine is on line for the Anna, Ohio engine plant, Honda’s largest.

With the officially announced $340 million dollar expansion will come a line of fuel efficient “Green,” low emissions, high torque direct fuel injected gasoline engines; bringing with them a fresh injection of sport-like performance characteristics; 2016 Civic may be optioned with one.

For those that don’t want a hatchback…

Honda fans anticipate the introduction of the long-awaited turbocharged Honda Civic Si sedan and coupe some time in 2016. Looking to Europe and Japan, a turbocharged variant will flatten out the torque curve a bit, by producing greater, usable torque at a lower rpm. 2016 Civic Si should be Honda’s logical answer to the auto industries growing use of Eco-efficient turbocharged engines built by Ford, Hyundai, Scion and other manufactures in a bid for dominance in the compact performance class.

Turbo-lag concerns

Noting Honda’s drive by wire throttle system, dual stage inducted intake and evolved turbocharger design, we anticipate minimal to nil turbo lag experienced through Honda’s latest turbocharged-engine technology. Honda engineering has all but eliminated throttle response lag-time in 2015 Civic Si, buyers will expect the same from a turbocharged variant.

Looking to the evolution of Civic Si

What will it take to push Si to the next level in performance and market appeal? Reality check: Honda Civic Si is and always will be a niche segment vehicle. Harsh of ride, stiff of seat and long-legged as to engine rev-limits, Civic Si while fun to look at is not for everyone. On viewing the 2016 Honda Civic Concept, we discover a bit larger and (possibly) more refined world-car platform of broad implications. Note: Honda has not revealed an interior or specification to the press. Simply put; They don’t exist as of this posting.

However, looking to the current evolution of the Honda lineup, the advancement of Honda EarthDreams ™ turbocharged technology in Europe and Japan, and Honda’s advancement in chassis, ride and transmission technologies, we anticipate 2016 Civic to be a segment benchmark setting sports compact of affordable performance and engineered bullet proof excellence.