The ramp-up for the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, or North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is well underway, with Honda today releasing a preview sketch of an upcoming Civic concept for the show. The ninth-generation Honda Civic, slated for production in 2011 as a 2012 model, will be based on the concept.

In other words, expect a non-concept production preview at the Detroit show. From what we see in the image, we expect a closer move toward the global look of the Civic, with the concept preview to be a two-door coupe or hatch. More aggressive but still familiar Honda styling at the front combines with an evolution of the profile we already associate with the Civic.

What remains to be seen, however, is where Honda will go with the Civic’s powerplants–both in the regular model and the sportier Si. We’ve already nabbed shots of the 2012 Civic sedan and coupe in testing, and reports surrounding the spied prototypes hint that a new three-cylinder engine and/or the CR-Z’s hybrid powertrain could both be up for a role in the new car.

We’ll be on the floor of the 2011 Detroit show to bring you the first live images and details on the “concept” as it’s unveiled, so mark your calendars for January 10-11.

Honda

This story originally appeared at Motor Authority