It’s been 50 years since the launch of the first Honda Civic in July 1972. In the longest year in history – a unique leap year with two “leap seconds” added – Donny Osmond was topping the UK charts to persuade the world that his love was not just puppy love. Across the world in Japan, Honda had created a subcompact two-door coupe with front-wheel drive and interior space that would have made Jon Pertwee blush. No wonder that the Honda Civic sits firmly in the Top 10 best-selling automobiles of all time.

11 generations of Civic later, Honda has enjoyed not only commercial success but success on track in the British, World, Japanese and Asian Touring Car Championships. Honda founder Soichiro Honda once said, “My biggest thrill is when I plan something and it fails. My mind is then filled with ideas on how I can improve it.” We don’t know how many failed plans preceded the launch of the Civic, but Soichiro-San certainly landed on a winning formula 50 years ago. Now, following the successful launch of the Jazz, HR-V and CR-V e:HEV vehicles, the Civic is being brought into the hybrid era for the first time since its seventh generation. An iconic car that looks set to endure, it seems safe to say that this is not just puppy love.