This Civic Type R has been a rumored concept for almost a year now and this week at the Paris Motor show Honda showed us the final production model in its new signature ‘Blue’ colour. It is common to see Honda cars end up looking just like their concept versions, and if that is just the case here. We have to applaud them for what they have been doing as their designs have never really been lost in all markets.
Honda promised not just a hot hatch for the all new Type R, but a track ready machine that will rival the performance of the current ‘Ring’ leaders, the Megane RS 275 Trophy-R and the Golf R. This all new Type R looks like a combination between a BTCC touring car and a rally ready race car. It sits very low and boasts black upright aero foils on the front bumper. Around the back, the taillights extend to a large fixed rear wing. It is defiantly an aggressive looking hot hatch ready for showroom sales and not since the Megane RS and Golf R has there been a car that is so exciting to look at.
The old Civic Type R fell slightly behind the competition as all of its competitors used turbo engines, whilst they stuck to a traditional normal aspirated VTEC. The previous engine was not disappointing but it also did not push out enough low down torque to compete with the turbocharged competition from Europe. Honda engines are known for their high-revving nature and variable valve timing, a direct connection to their motorcycle engineering. Even though it is a turbo, the new Type R goes up to 7,000rpm before hitting the red line and will sound tough thanks to a real sounding sports exhaust which Honda engineers have promised.
The output hasn’t been announced yet, but will be somewhere north of 280 PS. To ensure the front wheels can cope with that much, Honda tells us there’s a system called “steer axis” with adaptive dampers. In any case, selectable driving modes will ensure the Type R won’t act crazy on the road. At the press of its “R+” button, the steering will become heavy, the adaptive suspension will stiffen and the engine mapping will go into its most ferocious mode. More information will be shared as we get it.
