Honda is to upgrade its Swindon-built Civic model next year as its giant plant in the town looks to return to growth after a tough 2014.
The Civic has become the South Marston plant’s flagship model since production started in 1994 for the European market. The model has been produced by Honda at various plants around the world since 1992 and is now in its ninth generation. 
Honda said the made-in-Swindon Civic range will be given “several enhancements” next year and a new Civic Sport derivative model introduced.
The changes will take place as the plant aims to recover from production declines this year due to lower-than-expected sales on mainland Europe.
In March Honda announced plans to axe nearly 500 jobs, close one of its two production lines and reduce daily shifts from three to two at the plant as European sales continued to struggle.
Production at the plant has declined steadily over the past few years. This year it is expected to produce less than half its capacity of 250,000 vehicles.
Details and images were released today ahead of next week’s Paris Motor Show when Honda will officially launch the upgraded models along with the Civic Sport.
The Civic and Civic Tourer derivative, production of which started in December last year, will get new front exterior designs which, according to Honda, will give them a “new sporty outlook featuring new headlamps with integrated daytime running lights and a new sleek front bumper”.
The Civic hatchback will also get a new rear bumper, side skirts, a rear spoiler finished in black, and LED rear combination lamps.
The interiors will receive a specification upgrade inside with new seat fabrics and stitching on the headrests, new door trims with chrome door handles and a control panel finished in a metallic black.
The range will also be the first to be fitted with Honda’s new Connect in-car audio and information system, which features AM/FM, DAB and internet radio, Bluetooth connectivity, internet browsing, satellite navigation and a rear-view parking camera.
The Civic Sport will be based on the Civic hatchback and will be powered by Honda’s 1.6-litre, 120 PS diesel engine or the 1.8-litre, 142 PS petrol engine.
It will feature a colour-coded rear spoiler and unique 17-in alloy wheels.
Honda said it will echo the “striking” design of the forthcoming Civic Type R with a new front bumper featuring a lower grille mesh and a black roof lining for the cabin.
All Swindon-built Civics will, from next year, be fitted with the firm’s City- Brake Active (CTBA) system as standard.
CTBA is specifically designed to help avoid or mitigate low-speed accidents, using radar technology to scan the road ahead and automatically apply the brakes if an imminent risk of collision is detected. The system is engineered to operate at speeds below 30 km/h.
The Swindon plant also produces the CR-V compact SUV. Production of the Jazz ended this year.
More details of the Civic upgrades are expected to be released on Thursday next week when Honda stages its Paris Motor Show press conference.
