Upgrades and new Sport variant for the U.K. built Civic range

The U.K. built Honda Civic model range will be given a host of upgrades including the launch of a new Civic Sport variant. To be formally introduced at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show, both the Civic and the Civic Tourer will benefit from a new front exterior design, featuring new headlamps with integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and a new sleek front bumper, providing a new sporty outlook for the model.

The Civic hatchback also features a new rear bumper, side skirts, a rear spoiler finished in black and LED rear combination lamps.

Together with the exterior, the cabin will also receive a specification upgrade - with new seat fabrics and stitching on the headrests as well as new door trims with chrome door handles. Also included is a control panel finished in metallic black.

The 2015 Civic range will also premiere the all new Honda Connect in-car audio and information system.

Honda Connect offers convenience and connectivity whilst on the road with key features including digital and analogue radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Internet browsing, satellite navigation and rear-view parking camera. The system operates via a 7.0-inch display screen, powered by Google's Android 4.0.4 with multi-touch gesture functionality commonly found on today's smartphones.

The European Civic lineup has been expanded with the introduction of a new derivative - the Civic Sport. Based on the Civic hatchback, the Civic Sport can be powered by a 1.6-litre oil burner rated at 118bhp, or a 1.8-litre petrol engine rated at 140bhp.

The Civic Sport features a colour-coded rear spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels unique to the Sport derivative. In addition, the Civic Sport echoes the striking design of the forthcoming Type R with a new front bumper featuring a lower grille mesh and a black roof lining for the cabin.

Each model in the 2015 Civic range will benefit from the addition of Honda's City-Brake Active (CTBA) system as standard. Specifically designed to help avoid or mitigate low speed accidents, the system uses radar technology to scan the road ahead and automatically applies the brakes if an imminent risk of collision is detected - at speeds below 30km/h.