Honda may produce their vehicles in Japan - but the auto maker is doing some testing in Europe. Spies on the streets of Offenbach, Germany, caught pictures of the ninth generation 2012 Honda Civic during testing.

The five-door prototype shows that the Civic could wind up with a smaller body and wheelbase than the current model.

Seen near Honda's research and development facility in Offenbach, Civic seems to maintain its short hood, though its rear glass appears to have a steeper rake. Door handles for the rear doors look to still be nestled in the c-pillar.

The rear LED light clusters can also be seen through excessive padding tacked onto the car to keep its true form uncovered during testing. It appears that the car gets a completely new set of headlights, though there may be some tape covering up parts of the lenses.

Reports state  the car will get a new gas engine, and the diesel version will have an engine smaller than the 2.2-liter currently on offer. Potentially, the car could get a dual-clutch transmission and a Civic hybrid version is likely to hit the market.

Check out the latest versions of the Honda Civic today, live and in person, at Scholfield Honda - 7017 East Kellogg Dr, Wichita, KS 67207.