Honda has revealed specification details of its new Civic, set for launch in early 2006.

Standard across the range will be climate control air conditioning, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), trip computer, front, side and curtain airbags, rake and reach adjustable steering column and rear ‘Magic’ seats with one motion fold down and ‘flip up’ functions seats.

Higher spec models will feature equipment such as automatic lights and wiper functions, HID headlamps, Dual Zone Climate Control and retractable door mirrors, in addition to alloy wheels, DVD satellite navigation and leather trim.

The new Civic is smaller and lower than the current model.

Overall length is now 4,250mm (35 mm less) and overall height 1,460mm (also 35 mm less). But in order to improve handling car, Honda has increased the overall width to 1,760 mm (65 mm more) and the front and rear tracks to 1,504 mm (34 mm more) and 1,510 mm (45 mm more), respectively.

With its new body structure and subframes, recessed pedals, double pretensioners on the front seatbelts and side curtain airbags, it is expected to achieve a Euro NCAP five star result for front and side impact safety, three stars for pedestrian safety and four stars for child protection safety.

There is a range of three different engines to choose from: 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre petrol units and a 2.2-litre diesel.

All are combined with a six-speed manual gearbox making the new Honda Civic the first car in the C-segment to be equipped with six-speed gearboxes across all of its range. The petrol units can also be equipped with a six-speed automated manual transmission.

The new eighth generation model will be built at Honda’s European car plant, in Swindon, Wiltshire – with the 5-door exclusive to Europe. Civic currently accounts for roughly one-third of all Honda sales worldwide.