New Honda on sale

A new version of the Honda Civic has gone on sale today.

The car, first launched in 1972, has been through numerous redesigns over the past three decades, with the new model SE+ model rolling off the forecourts for the first time today.

"The market has responded well to the new Civic, and the five-door is drawing a younger audience than ever before, but customers wanted a higher spec, entry level model that looked even more sporting," said Tom Gardner, head of marketing, Honda (UK).

"The SE+ looks great, offers fantastic value for money and represents the success of our UK manufacturing plant at Swindon, where all European Civics are built."

The SE+ model has distinctive 16-inch alloy wheels as well as body-coloured skirts and a spoiler to give it refined and sporty looks.

Principally the car is designed to appeal to the Civic's increasingly youthful customer.

It is powered by Honda's 1.4-litre i-DSi engine and costs just £14,900 on-the-road

Honda expected to produce 140,000 Civics when it reaches maximum manufacturing capacity later in 2008, with a limited 1,000 unit vivid blue or alabaster silver model also set for launch.