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Three years in, the European-market Honda Civic has been given a facelift, which will debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. The slick-looking hatchback and Tourer (estate) models get updates inside and out, as well as a new Sport variant for the hatch.

The front fascia has been revised and includes sharp new headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights, while elsewhere the Civic gains new side skirts, a reprofiled rear bumper, a black rear spoiler and LED combination tail lamps.

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Inside, there's new seat fabrics and stitching on the headrests, new door trims, chrome door handles and a metallic black finish for the control panel.

Also introduced is an all-new Honda Connect audio and infotainment system, which features a seven-inch multi-touch display that enables pinch, swipe and tap functionality, just like a smartphone. Running on Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" (version 4.0.4 to be exact), the system offers DAB digital radio, Internet Radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Internet browsing, a rear-view camera and optional navigation.

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All facelifted Civic models come as standard with Honda's City Brake Active (CTBA). Operating at speeds below 30 km/h, the system uses radar technology to detect obstacles ahead, braking automatically if it senses a collision is imminent.

The new Sport model brings the cooking Civic closer to the full-on forthcoming Type R in terms of looks. Available with either the 142 PS 1.8 litre i-VTEC petrol engine or the 120 PS 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel engine, the Sport is dressed up with a new front bumper with a mesh lower grille, a colour-coded rear spoiler, 17-inch wheels and black headlining.