Honda has unveiled the all-new 10th-generation Honda Civic ahead of its global debut at the Paris Motor Show next month.

The latest version of Honda's worldwide best seller represents a significant step forward for Honda in the C-segment, benefiting from the largest single model development programme in the company's history.

Th Civic is a core model for Honda in Europe at the heart of the brand's strong sales and manufacturing heritage. For many European customers the Civic is synonymous with the Honda brand and the development team targeted a dynamic rejuvenation of Civic. This aim demanded new thinking and new approaches to body construction, vehicle aerodynamics and chassis design.

Building on its 40-year heritage, the car stays true to the original Civic concept of 'a car for all people, a car for the world'. It is a marriage of distinctive design, sporty styling and versatile practicality – with a renewed focus on rewarding driving dynamics.

Wider, longer, and lower than any of its predecessors, the all-new Civic has been engineered from the ground up to fulfil the promise of agile and rewarding dynamics.

A lightweight, highly-rigid bodyshell – the product of innovative new engineering and construction techniques – complements the lower centre of gravity and a sophisticated new suspension system in contributing directly to an engaging and fun driving experience.

The entirely new interior features a simple, uncluttered layout, new technologies, exceptional refinement and high-grade materials with a lower seating position to give the driver a greater feeling of connection with the car. The second-generation of Honda's infotainment and connectivity system – Connect – incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

It is first model in Europe to offer Honda's 129PS 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 182PS 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engines, designed first and foremost to offer dynamic performance to support the all-new Civic's soulful, sporty character with strong low-down pull. Nevertheless, these engines also achieve highly competitive fuel economy and efficiency. Both engines will be available with either a newly-designed six-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic.

The latest Civic is set to continue the model's reputation for providing class-leading practicality and unrivalled passenger and cargo space.

Aided in part by a longer, wider platform and 30mm longer wheelbase, occupants benefit from greater visibility and more space in which to enjoy the premium fit and finish. There's more should room for all occupants while passengers in the back get 95mm more legroom and 45mm more knee clearance. Comfort for outboard occupants in the rear is improved by adjustable seat base cushions.

Boot space remains class-leading in terms of volume at 478 litres, as well as ease of access and versatility. The rear seats split and fold 60/40 while a low sill height and wide 1,120mm boot opening combine with the flat boot floor to make loading of heavy, wide and long items easy.

The all-new Civic has been engineered to achieve industry-leading safety performance with the Honda Sensing suite of active safety and driver assist technologies specified across the new range. It uses a combination of radar and camera information, plus a host of hi-tech sensors, to warn and assist the driver in potentially dangerous scenarios.

The suite of active safety technologies includes:

Collision Mitigation Braking System to help bring the car to a stop if the system determines that a collision with a vehicle detected in front is unavoidable.

Forward Collision Warning to warn drivers of a potential collision.

Lane Departure Warning to detect if the car is straying out of its current lane.

Road Departure Mitigation to detect whether the car is veering off the road and applies subtle steering correction.

Lane Keeping Assist System to keep the car in the middle of the current lane.

Adaptive Cruise Control to maintain a desired speed and following distance from a vehicle ahead. It also predicts and reacts to other vehicles cutting in on multi-lane highways.

Traffic Sign Recognition to display the signs on the car's instrument binnacle.

Intelligent Speed Assistance to adjust the speed to that indicated by the last road sign.

The 10th-generation Civic is due to arrive in showrooms early next year.