2016 Honda Civic Sedan offers sleeker lines and a more efficient turbo engine

After showing a well-received concept version this past spring at the 2015 New York Auto Show, Honda revealed its 10th-generation Civic compact at an event in Los Angeles.

The 2016 Honda Civic sedan will go on sale in the U.S. later this year, and will eventually be followed by coupe and five-door hatchback body styles.

The production car retains many styling elements from the two-door concept, including a bolder grille, and a fairly sleek roofline.

Helping to dress the design up further are standard LED daytime running lights and C-shaped taillights, and optional LED headlights.

The more streamlined new body--as well as the use of full underbody covers--also improves aerodynamic efficiency by 12 percent, according to Honda.

The 2016 Civic is also nearly 2 inches wider and 1 inch lower than the previous model, and rides on a 1.2-inch longer wheelbase.

And it gets two all-new engine options.

Base models will use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with Honda's i-VTEC variable valve timing system.

While it is not willing to discuss specific figures, Honda claims the naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter will be the most powerful base engine ever offered in a Civic.

This engine will be offered with either six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmissions.

Higher-level models will get a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with direct injection.

This is the first time a turbocharged engine has been offered in a U.S. Civic outside the sporty Si model, according to Honda.

The Si will rejoin the lineup at some future date, along with a version of the more hardcore Civic Type-R previously offered only outside the U.S.

A CVT will be mandatory for buyers choosing the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine.

Honda did not disclose fuel-economy figures either, but says it is aiming for EPA highway ratings "in excess of 40 mpg."

The company previously said it is discontinuing the Civic Hybrid--which is currently rated at 45 mpg combined (44 mpg city, 47 mpg highway)--in part because efficiency gains by non-hybrid Civic models will make it unnecessary.

Fuel efficiency should be helped by the 2016 Civic's lighter body.

Increased use of high-strength steel means that--despite the new Civic's larger size--the bare unibody is 68 pounds lighter than before, Honda says.

Of course, some of those weight savings may be negated by the added technology features that are becoming obligatory on new cars.

The 2016 Civic gets a new available infotainment system with 7.0-inch touchscreen, similar to the one that debuted in the refreshed 2016 Accord.

It features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allow drivers to access smartphone content using the car's built in touch and voice controls.

The Civic will also be offered with the Honda Sensing suite of electronic driver aids, including Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, and adaptive cruise control.

North American-market 2016 Honda Civic sedans will be built in Greensburg, Indiana, and Alliston, Ontario, Canada.

Engines will be built in Anna, Ohio, and the automatic transmissions will come from Russells Point, Ohio, and Celaya, Mexico.

The 2016 Honda Civic sedan goes on sale in the U.S. this fall.