HONDA has released details of the new Swindon-built Civic estate - due to arrive in the UK next May. Christened the Aero deck, the newcomer is the fifth Civic derivative and will be built alongside the Accord and Civic five-door models at Honda's Swindon plant.

With 410 litres of loadspace - rising to 830 litres with the rear seats folded - the Aero deck has extremely useful carrying capacity, but with extra touches like roof rails, luggage cover and roof mounted rear speakers, Honda also expects it to appeal to customers looking for a lifestyle vehicles. Power steering and twin airbags will also be standard in the UK.

The engine line-up features the 1.5 and 1.6 engines plus the swift 1.8 VTEC unit, with an automatic gearbox available only with the 1.6 in LS trim. Aero deck production at Swindon starts in February and will ramp up annual production by 30,000 to 150,00 units by the end of the year.