Sedan or coupe, the 2001 Honda Civic presents a basic wedge-shaped profile with a high, curt tail and low, abbreviated prow. To effect such a sharp slope of the front hood, the steering box had to be relocated to a high center spot on the firewall and a compact new front strut suspension devised. Further, the condensed compartment required an engine of smaller physical size. These internal changes set up the most dramatic styling distinction from the previous Civic design, as the new hood drops by 2.6 inches.The new Civic presents a clean but conservative face with a discreet horizontal grille set between larger triangular multi-lens headlamps that curve around the corners. A wide air intake stretches across the body-colored bumper with a low front spoiler added for downforce. Relatively flat flanks carry linear molding. Windshield pillars arch into the rolled roof to meet the rear arches of narrow C-pillars. Bold taillamps dominate the blunt rear panel underscored by a body-colored bumper. Civic coupe's taillamps offer a signature pattern of light at night.
|