It's been a long time coming, but it's almost here. Or almost there, we should say, because it sadly won't be coming (at least in this form) to the United States. We're talking, of course, about the new Honda Civic Type R – a hot hatch we've been anticipating for about a year and a half now through a series of prototypes and concept cars. It's finally set to bow just weeks from now, in final production form, at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. But before it does, Honda is giving us yet another taste of what to expect with a trio of teaser images and some juicy details.
That Honda's new hot hatch would be powered by its new 2.0-liter turbo four we already knew, but now the Japanese automaker is telling us that it'll produce enough juice to propel the Euro-spec pocket rocket up to a top speed of 167 miles per hour. In a hatchback.
That feat will be enabled in large part by its advanced aerodynamics, elements of which we can begin to see from the teaser images – including a big front splitter, deep side skirts, a giant rear wing and an almost completely flat underbody. It'll also be kept in check by a set of Brembo brakes with 13.8-inch drilled discs clamped by four-piston calipers up front and packed into a unique set of 19-inch alloys. It'll all be wrapped for the show stand in classic Japanese racing white, and we're even given a glimpse inside the cabin, where we can see red-glowing instruments, a red center marker at the top of the steering rim and that +R button we were promised.
It's all shaping up to be a rather tempting package indeed, but will have to fend off the likes of the new Ford Focus RS and ever-improving challengers from the likes of Renault and Seat to dominate the European hot hatch scene. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long to see in what form Honda brings the fight to America, too.
That Honda's new hot hatch would be powered by its new 2.0-liter turbo four we already knew, but now the Japanese automaker is telling us that it'll produce enough juice to propel the Euro-spec pocket rocket up to a top speed of 167 miles per hour. In a hatchback.
That feat will be enabled in large part by its advanced aerodynamics, elements of which we can begin to see from the teaser images – including a big front splitter, deep side skirts, a giant rear wing and an almost completely flat underbody. It'll also be kept in check by a set of Brembo brakes with 13.8-inch drilled discs clamped by four-piston calipers up front and packed into a unique set of 19-inch alloys. It'll all be wrapped for the show stand in classic Japanese racing white, and we're even given a glimpse inside the cabin, where we can see red-glowing instruments, a red center marker at the top of the steering rim and that +R button we were promised.
It's all shaping up to be a rather tempting package indeed, but will have to fend off the likes of the new Ford Focus RS and ever-improving challengers from the likes of Renault and Seat to dominate the European hot hatch scene. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long to see in what form Honda brings the fight to America, too.
DESIGNED TO PERFORM: SUPERIOR AERODYNAMICS FOR BRITISH BUILT ALL-NEW HONDA CIVIC TYPE R
- 2.0 litre direct injection VTEC TURBO engine and aerodynamic performance deliver class-best top speed of 270km/h (167mph)*
- Unique vents, grilles, spoilers and skirts contribute to enhanced downforce and minimised drag
- All-new Honda Civic Type R in Championship White will make global debut at 2015 Geneva Motor Show
The all-new British built Honda Civic Type R – which will make its world premiere at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show – will feature a host of eye-catching design enhancements that have been heavily influenced by extensive aerodynamic development and testing, both on computer and in the wind tunnel. The result is a car with exceptional high speed stability and high levels of downforce.
The superior aerodynamic performance helps make the most of the Civic Type R's 2.0 litre direct injection VTEC TURBO engine, enabling the car to achieve a top speed of 270km/h (167mph)* unrivalled amongst its front wheel-drive competitors.
A new, almost completely flat underside aids airflow under the vehicle and combines with a rear diffuser to optimise downforce – effectively 'sucking' the car onto the road. A bespoke rear wing gives the car enhanced visual presence and delivers powerful additional downforce, thanks notably to the structure of its airfoil section.
A wide front splitter and deep side skirts also manage airflow and reduce lift, while the front bumper has been shaped specifically to inhibit air turbulence around the front wheels, cutting drag and enhancing high-speed stability.
To help the driver manage the Type R's prodigious power, the car is equipped with a high performance Brembo brake package, developed specifically for the car. At the front, four-piston calipers apply braking force to 350 mm drilled discs. New 19-inch alloy wheels, unique to the Type R, complement the visual changes, filling the wheel arches and accommodating the larger brakes.
Heat management was another major focus for the design team, influencing several prominent external design modifications. Enlarged upper and lower grilles in the front bumper, vents above the wheels on the front quarter panels and vents at the trailing edges of the front wheel arches combine to provide greater cooling and ventilation for the high-output engine.
Leon Brannan, Head of Car, Honda (UK) said "We've already seen huge customer interest for this much anticipated and unique car with over 100 orders already in the bank. With the release of these new technical details I think we can expect many more."
The Civic Type R will be unveiled at Geneva Motor Show in Championship White – a colour shared with successive generations of iconic Type R vehicles.
Honda can be found at stand 4250 in Hall 4 at the 85th Geneva Motor Show (3 - 15 March).
- 2.0 litre direct injection VTEC TURBO engine and aerodynamic performance deliver class-best top speed of 270km/h (167mph)*
- Unique vents, grilles, spoilers and skirts contribute to enhanced downforce and minimised drag
- All-new Honda Civic Type R in Championship White will make global debut at 2015 Geneva Motor Show
The all-new British built Honda Civic Type R – which will make its world premiere at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show – will feature a host of eye-catching design enhancements that have been heavily influenced by extensive aerodynamic development and testing, both on computer and in the wind tunnel. The result is a car with exceptional high speed stability and high levels of downforce.
The superior aerodynamic performance helps make the most of the Civic Type R's 2.0 litre direct injection VTEC TURBO engine, enabling the car to achieve a top speed of 270km/h (167mph)* unrivalled amongst its front wheel-drive competitors.
A new, almost completely flat underside aids airflow under the vehicle and combines with a rear diffuser to optimise downforce – effectively 'sucking' the car onto the road. A bespoke rear wing gives the car enhanced visual presence and delivers powerful additional downforce, thanks notably to the structure of its airfoil section.
A wide front splitter and deep side skirts also manage airflow and reduce lift, while the front bumper has been shaped specifically to inhibit air turbulence around the front wheels, cutting drag and enhancing high-speed stability.
To help the driver manage the Type R's prodigious power, the car is equipped with a high performance Brembo brake package, developed specifically for the car. At the front, four-piston calipers apply braking force to 350 mm drilled discs. New 19-inch alloy wheels, unique to the Type R, complement the visual changes, filling the wheel arches and accommodating the larger brakes.
Heat management was another major focus for the design team, influencing several prominent external design modifications. Enlarged upper and lower grilles in the front bumper, vents above the wheels on the front quarter panels and vents at the trailing edges of the front wheel arches combine to provide greater cooling and ventilation for the high-output engine.
Leon Brannan, Head of Car, Honda (UK) said "We've already seen huge customer interest for this much anticipated and unique car with over 100 orders already in the bank. With the release of these new technical details I think we can expect many more."
The Civic Type R will be unveiled at Geneva Motor Show in Championship White – a colour shared with successive generations of iconic Type R vehicles.
Honda can be found at stand 4250 in Hall 4 at the 85th Geneva Motor Show (3 - 15 March).
Featured Gallery Honda Civic Type R: teasers
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