HONDA has announced details of its new Civic petrol-electric hybrid.

Due on sale in January with prices starting at about £16,000, the Civic uses Honda’s IMA system which features an electric motor to support the petrol engine.

The new regular Civic will make its UK debut at the Fleet News Hit for Six conference taking place in Oxford on September 21.

Meanwhile, the Accord has been treated to the mildest of facelifts to keep it competitive in the upper-medium sector.

Due to be unveiled next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show before going on sale in January, the revised Accord features a new grille, front and rear bumpers, rear lights, alloy wheels and some minor tweaks to the instruments.

But the main changes are under the skin, with the addition of hi-tech features such as adaptive cruise control and a system which alerts the driver if the car veers away from its lane.