Snake Vargas

I'd have to say that they don't have that inspiring a lineup as well. At the moment. If you like the new Civic, then that might help, just a little. The upcoming Legend (for Australia - out in America already, and of course out in Japan) could also help - I like that car. For the moment, the only decent car is the Honda Accord Euro, which is not surprisingly selling like hotcakes.

However, for a sports car company as they purport to be, they're seriously lacking in sports credibility. The Integra's getting old, and is outdone in many areas, similarly for the S2000. A promising car that was just forgotten, like the NSX. Maybe destined for a similar fate, as well. Maybe I'm just seeing only half the picture since Australia doesn't get some of the Type-R variants and such as they sell in Japan and even the UK.. but I still don't think they'd help.

That said, I also think that Sports4 concept looks very promising. Sure, some odd details, but forgetting those, I'm keen to see what the next Accord will turn out like.

Mr. Mercedes

Snake, I think the civic were getting here in OZ is going to be the boooring American variant. Such a shame.

Would you happen to know the plans for the integra and when the next accord is due?

The new legend should inject a bit more life into the brand.

martinbo

Mr Mercedes and Snake, our markets track each other quite closely when it comes to imported models so I'm curious as to why you're of the impression, Mr Merc, that the Civic hatch won't make it out to us? Any clues from local dealers?

I have every expectation that the Euro Civic hatch will make it down south as well as a more conservative sedan derivative.

emarati

Mr. Mercedes, i was talking about the cars in this thread. And yes i agree with you honda has some very boring cars, the only 1 i like is the S2000 and the current civic we have here isnt so bad also.

ohh i forgot another 1, the new odyssey looks nice too

Mr. Mercedes

Reports have suggested that we won't be getting the funky European hatch, but rather a derivative of the American model that will be assembled in Thailand. Honda Australia have said that our civic will be exciting and impressive, but this is coming from an importer that has consistently disappointed and had even tried to pass off a sub par Integra as a real Integra Type R.

I don't understand why they wouldn't bring the European Civic, especially considering the ENOURMOUS sales success the Accord Euro has been, while the American Accord continues to struggle. It would be a damn shame if we miss out on the better car.

Emarati, I agree with you. The first concept is very very nice. I clicked on the wrong qoute button when I replied originally. My intention was to qoute Martinbo.

SDNR

The reat lights remind me of the Aston Martin Bertone Jet 2 - just a little bit.

Snake Vargas

I have read in several reports that suggest (I think it was spokespeople talking, actually) we Australians are not likely to get the funky European version. I'm not sure if we will get a hatch at all, though I believe that it would be stupid to do that.

IMO, the Civic most likely to make it here is the Japanese version of the 'American' sedan - really only the taillights are different. (American on left, Japanese on right)




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I wouldn't want to dampen anyone's enthusiasm, but the best hope we have for a hatch could be if people make a heap of noise, which is unlikely. Otherwise, we may end up with a modified version, like they have hinted at doing for an Australian Subaru Tribeca.

We should get a much clearer picture come the Sydney Motor Show - starting this very Friday the 14th.

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Yes, the Odyssey is another one I've forgotten. It's everywhere. It kills the other peoplemovers for value and especially looks. It's far and away the second-best seller - I say that without much contempt because the best seller is the Kia Carnival, which combines the traits of low price, lots of space and many seats to appeal to perhaps the target demographic of peoplemovers. That said, I like the Odyssey very much; only the front styling is a little clumsy (and surfaces not mating at the rear tailgate/plastic bumper junctions, which is being really picky).

The 'next' Accord won't be for another three or four years - the facelifted Accord Euro was just released at the Frankfurt show a few weeks ago. It is now already appearing as the Acura TSX in the States. There are some (somewhat ugly in photos, at first) cosmetic changes to plastic areas, new wheels, and some spec changes inside.

As for the Integra, well, I'm not sure what to make of it. It would depend how well it's doing in Japan. Here, it's largely going the way of the Prelude, IMO. A has-been that's past it's best. I hope it won't suffer a similar fate - extinction, for the time being - but by all accounts, sales are slow. Yeah, and I second that - we got a 147kW odd "Type-R", whereas the real one has something like 180kW, IIRC.

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PS. Rnds, that Bertone Aston concept looks a lot like the Audi Shooting Brake, actually. Spooky.