New Honda Civic Type R concept boasts more power than an NSX and with 206kW is the most powerful Type R car ever. It’ll be here mid-2015.
HONDA HAS ADDED some spice to its Paris Motorshow stand, displaying a Civic Type R concept, ahead of its on-sale European debut early next year (2015).
The all-new, hot hatch is the most powerful Honda Type R yet with 206kW from its 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine and hopefully signals a return by the Japanese maker to its sporty origins.
Boasting 59-kilowatts more than its predecessor and more powerful than any other Type R car including the Honda NSX, Honda has broken with tradition and fitted the new Type R with a turbocharger, boosting low-end power delivery to compliment the high-end performance of Honda’s VTEC technology.
Suehiro Hasshi, Chief engineer for the Civic Type R commented: “Honda has had four Type R model derivatives – the Civic, Integra, Accord and NSX. The engine in this new Honda Civic Type R is unrivalled against all of them in terms of raw power, torque and engine response.”
According to Honda, a number of engineering innovations will make the new Civic Type R a true driver’s car. The Civic Type R will be the first Honda to receive the ‘+R’ button that changes engine response, torque and steering to a more aggressive and performance-focused setting. Steering becomes more responsive and, together with the new four-point Adaptive Damper System delivers the ultimate handling experience.
Hasshi explained: “In default standard mode, the Civic Type R is exceptionally agile, an everyday sports car with an enjoyable and fluid acceleration. The ‘+R’ button brings out a more dynamic and athletic car for the driver, to set pulses racing. The difference in character is immense. The ‘+R’ mode is extreme; the car is ideal for track use and will be appreciated by the genuine sports-driving enthusiast.”
A new four-point Adaptive Damper System has been developed specifically for the Civic Type R that allows it to provide a comfortable ride during cruising, yet become firmer when high-performance handling is required. The new Civic Type R will follow in the footsteps of its predecessors with a six-speed manual transmission.
Honda says the Civic Type R has been developed and engineered for European driving tastes. To be built at Honda’s plant in Swindon, UK, it will arrive in Australia mid-2015.
