HONDA'S new British-built Civic Tourer goes on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month but we have just been given a sneak preview and it certainly lives up to all the hype.
The estate has a sleek profile with some distinctive new styling features from the standard five-door Civic and will go on sale in the UK next spring with the likes of the VW Golf Estate and Skoda Octavia Estate firmly in its sales sights.
There will be a choice of two engines - the economical 1.6 i-DTEC diesel which will be available with manual transmission and a 1.8 i-VTEC petrol model with either manual or automatic gearbox options.
But two points that Honda believes are stand-out features are the car's incredible load capacity with versatility in every possible form and the highly advanced rear axle Adaptive Damper System (ADS) - a world first for a production car which enhances stability and comfort no matter what loads are being transported.
Adrian Killham, Honda's project manager for the model, said that the company had clear ideas of who will be interested in the new Tourer - the first Civic estate since the Aerodeck of the 1990s.
They include families who need plenty of flexibility from a vehicle and people who are downsizing from a full-sized SUV but still require a car that compliments their active lifestyle.
He said: "It has a wide and sporty stance with very advanced equipment levels and interior quality. We didn't want to create a boxy-looking vehicle, but instead we wanted the customer to feel pride in the product.
"It is unique compared to some tourers and wagons on the market.
"The Civic Tourer will boast low running costs, will be flexible with an easy-to-use load space, comfortable and feature advanced technology" he added.
There are a number of cosmetic changes such as the rear lights, a new aerodynamic spoiler, a connecting bar between the tail-lights, roof rails, piano black detailing inside and some smart stitching on the seats.
But the biggest attraction will be the incredible load capacity and the numerous ways the car can be altered, adjusted and tweaked to make life as easy as possible.
The boot can hold a class-leading 624 litres which can be increased to 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded flat.
There is an under-floor compartment that can accommodate two carry-on travel cases with ease, there are adjustable cargo nets, a one-touch tonneau cover which has its own storage compartment and Honda's Magic Seats format which enables the three rear seats to be arranged in numerous configurations including folding flat to the car's floor since the Civic's fuel tank is located at the centre of the car rather than under the rear seats as on most other models.
Even the loading area has been lowered by some five inches to make it easier to pack heavy or awkward-shaped items.
Another important feature is the damping system on the rear axle.
There are three settings - comfort, normal and dynamic - and the automatic system helps to maximise comfort and stability during all driving conditions.
It may sound simple, but Honda expects Civic Tourer buyers are likely to tow caravans, be laden with bikes or carry other odd-shaped items that could otherwise hinder overall performance.
The new estate has been designed with European markets in mind and will be built alongside the Civic hatchback, the Jazz supermini and the CR-V SUV at Honda's factory in Swindon.
Details regarding pricing, specifications and performance for the new Civic Tourer are to be announced in the next few of weeks.