Meet the new face of Honda’s newest Type R. At least for European buyers out there, this is the close to production version of the all-new Civic Type R that will be released sometime next year. Why should you be excited? Well like all R-badged cars that have come before it, under that hatchback skin is a handling package honed around the gruelling Nordschleife, and we all know how good Honda is at getting the most out of their front-wheel drive sports cars.
The body too is the result of exhausting aerodynamic testing at the Nürburgring, shaped to boost downforce and reduce drag across the whole exterior.
There are big pumped fenders front and back – so big in fact that it might put Miura-san of TRA Kyoto/Rocket Bunny out of a job if these sort of trends continue.
They’re that big – at least for this concept that is being unveiled this week in Geneva – because they have to contain 20-inch wheels. Yes, factory twenties on a Civic! Aside from that you can really see the extra effort put into the aero around and over the profile of the car, with distinct hip lines and chunky angular skirts to channel airflow when it needs to go.
Airflow management is also important to help cool the turbocharged VTEC engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injected beast of a unit that Honda says will produce 280ps right out of the box. This is a car that tuners are going to embrace with open arms!
Seeing what the Civic is up against in the hot hatch segment, Honda made sure it looked the part and the rear end treatment is certainly worthy of that red ‘H’ emblem.
Whether the carbon fiber wing with integrated taillights actually makes it into production or not, it’s one of the concept’s coolest and most unique features. The best thing is, it’s not there just for looks – it actually boosts downforce. Considering the car’s potential for very high speed cornering, that’s a very good thing.
Functional aerodynamic touches are everywhere you look – from the rear fender outlets carved into the bumper, to the small-finned diffuser around the quad-exhaust outlets to help smooth airflow originating from beneath the car.
Although the Type R will probably end up being sold in Japan under the Euro R moniker, it has to be offered in the domestic market unless Honda Japan wants every Type R fan it has left in Japan to revolt and start knocking at their doors demanding it! Seeing Honda has always liked to diversify its Civic designs and models through its three main markets, it’s not yet sure what the US will get.
The WTCC version is also ready to go, and even though it’s a little toned down from the massively overfendered sketch that we showed you back in December, it still looks like a very purposeful looking machine and one that will make this year’s season all the more exciting as Honda tries to defend its title and take advantage of the new regulations.
Honda seems to be on quite the roll!
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com
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That thing looks mad! Can't wait to see the first test drives of the production version.
Hnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggg
they lost me at front wheel drive
l_moreno1387 It did say Civic in the title, not sure what you thought when you clicked on the link.
Bring this to the US and get rid of Honda North America's very nonperformance image.
I'd be happy if all they did to the USDM Civic was more aggressive suspension tuning and a turbo, but this would be even better!
l_moreno1387 It's a front wheel drive that can leave lots of RWD behind, especially in real world situations.
l_moreno1387 Just because something is RWD does not make it better either…there are plenty of understeering RWD pigs out there too.
Only if it was AWD
Seems a bit blasphemous to boost a Type-R from factory. But I think it's blasphemous to boost a Type-R motor with aftermarket parts, so I'm biased. Type-R's have always been high revving NA cars that may not have a lot of power but they're a lot of fun to drive. Granted, I guess Honda felt they had to do something to keep up with the times, being that every manufacturer is boosting their cars from factory now. I just feel like it takes away from the Type-R name and legacy. I like the body styling though; not too big on the 20" wheels, however. Ehh, not like America will get it anyways.
This is irrelevant to this post and car... BUT... When will your feature of the Overtake GTR be coming out? After seeing your instagram shots (teasers really) many moons ago I have been eagerly waiting! I don't normally comment on being impatient normally, however that car is just... Well let's just not go into too much detail. So would love to see the feature soon! Onegai!
Emission policies I believe also definitely play a big role in their decision.
apex_DNA l_moreno1387 I agree here, some manufacturers really do FF damn well. The DC2/DC5 & FD2 reman some of the best cars I've ever had the pleasure of driving.
SparkyR_1 I'd imagine so, but I don't know any specifics about emission policies in Europe or Japan to be honest; so I can't really debate that.
klattr1 Why?
ToneDiez SparkyR_1 And the need to start participating in the "flat-torque-curve-war" lol
SparkyR_1 It's coming very very soon
I haven't liked a new Honda in a very long time. God damn I want this.
sadly North America will never see this car.
ToneDiez Like Sparky said, if it weren't for European emission regulations this car would most likely be naturally aspirated and still running a K series. It might be a blessing in the long run. I'm a bit of a purist and I feel that R's should be NA too, but I think the most important quality is that they feel raw and balanced.
HLB ToneDiez True enough, I guess. Times are changing, some traditions have to change a bit to keep up.
speedhunters_dino klattr1 probably so it doesn't just do mad skids if you nail the throttle
and let's be honest, being able to do WRC-style helis from the factory would be awesome too
Because FWD sucks in so many ways. Plus it has an overall design that looks like it belongs in WRC or Rally Cross.
Now that's one FWD car that I'd drive. That and a DC2.
It's too bad Honda has a shovel up their ass because the new generation of Civics in North America are hybrid to the max. Fuel efficiency isn't the only thing North Americans are looking for, Honda!!
LouisYio Yeah right? I really don't get the whole diversified marketing for each market, might work for your daily cars but sports car, everyone wants the same one despite where they may be. Pay attention Honda!
klattr1 FWD does not suck if it's done well.
Why would this be sold in Japan under the euro R badge, and not the type R? That would have to be the silliest thing I have ever heard.
Have got more images of the last one? Castrol sponsored? more angles like above shots?
notice no door handles at the back
Skyline GTST is an example of an understeering RWD.
It's why it came with rear wheel steering from factory.
But everyone rips out the HICAS unit. I own 2 skylines right now 1994 R33 Gts25t and 1998 R34 Gtt both sedans.... ( Insert sedan hateraid ) and an R32 gtst coupe which I sold. Without Hicas there is notable understeer.
This just makes it fun to counter steer prior to entering a corner to roll the body, adding weight transfer, to assist in turning ... TCS OFF... Power over out ... Man I love skylines ...
Most FWD do suck... LSD and proper tuning and suspension help make it suck less...
CRACING That's all Honda has released. I'm sure more will follow soon...
They are integrated in the black C-pillar trim. Alfa Romeo started that with the 156, so nothing new
3nigm4 Because it's the European version of the Civic. With the previous gens, Japan got the FD2 and Europe the FN2 but then they sold the FN2 in Japan for a limited time using the Euro-R badge. First time the Euro-R badge appeared on a Honda in Japan was on the CL1 Accord. See what I'm getting at with Honda confusing the crap out of everyone with these mostly pointless marketing exercises?
IMPUL Most RWD cars are made to understeer on the limit from factory, it makes them easier to handle. HICAS has nothing to do with understeer and removing it won't improve anything, you should be looking at fitting decent suspension and doing a drift oriented alignment with a few additional aftermarket arms (not to mention knuckles) if you want it to go sideways properly
speedhunters_dino 3nigm4 Thanks Dino, but I was implying along the lines of 'How dare honda call it a Euro R and not a Type R!!!'
I guess what I said was misunderstood.
The HICAS unit was installed by Nissan to create a controlled oversteer. The car naturally has understeer.
It is removed so the telemetry does not change anymore.
Now it only understeers. This is not a bad thing as you mentioned, it helps straighten out the car, and stops wild fish tails. I don't drift..I use TCS OFF so I can feel the slip and control it instead of Tcs controlling it . ( unless in empty parking lots fully of snow ) and wouldn't subject my skylines to such a demanding sport.
Removing Hicas is a big help... No more unwanted dori-dori action...
If I did upgrade the suspension it would be set up to a time attack style setting. Rear toe in ( small) front toe out ( small ) slightly more camber, stock height, slightly stiffer suspension.
If I did get into drift it would be a J-spec 180zx, probably an rb25 until I could piece together and rb30.
Anyways hope that clears things up.
I own Hondas since 1994, currently a Type R 2008 owner. It is beautiful but I would change three things: The power which should be at least 350PS, the number of the doors should only be two and I would have this ugly tail-light concept redesigned, especially the part where the horizontal part of the lights meets the vertical part.
these are nice turbo on a civic damn!
3nigm4 speedhunters_dino #becasuejdmmarketing
And not coming to the US, sad.
Nice.... But remember it's a concept... I hope for the Honda Fans it will come out like this! By the way speedhunters, are you at Geneva actually?
Gianluca FairladyZ Yep Jonathan is over there
ToneDiez Turbo technology has come a long way. Let's face it, there is a limit to the amount of power you can extract from a NA engine in production cars. It would probably get the same old K-series with maybe ~220hp. Not enough, today cars are very heavy with security equipment. Otherwise there would have to be a larger engine, adding more weight, bad for fuel economy and emissions.
A well executed turbo engine today doesn't have to ruin the character of the NA engines of yesteryear. I'm actually really excited to see a turbo VTEC. I really hope it's true to the Type R badge this time around. The last one we got here in Europe (FN2) was shit to be honest. They actually fitted it with a torsion beam axle in the rear ... Handling was crap.
I love hot hatches and I hope this could be up there with the best, if not THE best when it comes to handling. This is a car I could see myself have as a daily driver. Even if the looks are a bit .. busy.
speedhunters_dino 3nigm4 Actually, the FN2 is called a Type R Euro http://www.honda.co.jp/CIVICTYPE-R/EURO/
The Euro R moniker was only on the Accord; CL1 Accord Euro R and CL7 Accord Euro R. I'm driving the latter
speedhunters_dino klattr1 This. Clearly @klattr1 has not ever seen the Realtime Racing ITR.
apex_DNA l_moreno1387 He's the type of person that will take a beat to hell E36 328i over a mint FD2 CTR because it's RWD.
wow i would so buy this, bring this to america you sillys!!!!
look at the spoiler and compare with NSX! Similar conception!
20ss on a civic? I have 17s from the factory on my miata and can't wait to find a good deal on the right set of 16s or even 15s because the ride is garbage and I don't much care for the look of how big they are.
Same old narrow minded opinions from so called diehard petrol heads. I like this concept. If Honda can produce something nearly identical and sell it across all 3 markets, then it may just have a little hit. That's as long as it's price right too.
robzor agreed, less than 50 series profile always seems a bit harsh for the road and can make the suspension work harder too. A bit of tyre give is nice.
Ramah_Nyang SPEEDHUNTERS ajab!
You sounded like a retard. Why don't you just shut up, sit still and enjoy the show....fuckin' idiot
I don't think this car won't sell in the U.S. The design looks too busy. If the price point is around 30k, which i'm guessing it will be, who will the market for this car be...25-35 year old males. The car looks like a cartoon. This is the same body style as the Euro Civic R that never made it here. If they put this motor in the mugen Civic RR sedan and mass sold it rather than making the car a special edition...make it somewhat affordable, Honda would be back in the game, that car looks way better. The Gt-86/Brz are killing it for sales...look at the design...subtle but sporty, classic body lines, lots of performance for the price. Lately, Honda fun cars for the masses are lacking...this one to me is no different. The latest Civic SI is garbage. It looks terrible.
Ok so it makes lots of power...so does the SRT-4 Neon and I don't think that car did well at all. Cars that had good power and bad looks are the Dodge caliber, most recent nissan SE-R, Pontiac Solstice, Chevy Cobalt SS, the new dodge dart....the design is what captures the imagination, the motor just makes it a reality.
I don't think this car will sell in the U.S. The design looks too
busy. If the price point is around 30k, which i'm guessing it will be,
who will the market for this car be...25-35 year old males. The car
looks like a cartoon. This is the same body style as the Euro Civic R
that never made it here. If they put this motor in the mugen Civic RR
sedan and mass sold it rather than making the car a special
edition...make it somewhat affordable, Honda would be back in the game,
that car looks way better. The Gt-86/Brz are killing it for
sales...look at the design...subtle but sporty, classic body lines, lots
of performance for the price. Lately, Honda fun cars for the masses
are lacking...this one to me is no different. The latest Civic SI is
garbage. It looks terrible.
Ok so it makes
lots of power...so does the SRT-4 Neon and I don't think that car did
well at all. Cars that had good power and bad looks are the Dodge
caliber, most recent nissan SE-R, Pontiac Solstice, Chevy Cobalt SS, the
new dodge dart....the design is what captures the imagination, the
motor just makes it a reality.
Looks simply stunning!!! I just love how the car manufacturers nowadays take styling cues directly from racing and even from the tuning industry. It's such a great looking car I hope they don't change a thing!
I just can't believe some of the negative comments I read below :D. C'mon, it's a Type R. It's supposed to look flashy. And it does look racey, but not a one bit ricey. And if you want subtle, go buy a Camry for crying out loud. How I see it this will be Evo X performance with (hopefully) Civic price. Where can I sign up for one?????
Btw, I love the rear wing. Reminds me of a samurai helmet. So cool!!
EugeneNguyen Easy there...
I hope to see this motor in a Civic Si / Type R, ILX Type S, or TLX Type S for the US market.
I hope this car got RWD/AWD version...
muhammadilham will not happen
El Verdugo12000 I think this car will bring nice light on the name "type-R"... so far it is the fastest hot hatch on Nortschleife...
speedhunters_dino 3nigm4 Euro R accords never came to EU market. Only shipped from JAP to GB couple times by locals, not by Honda itself.
Euro R is more of a specification of "Euro like" car for JDM market.
should cost arround 30-35k € .... cant wait
Why?
Car overall is very nice, few things I don't like though. Why 20's? More body roll, less traction due to less tyre depth, more uncomfortable ride, don't like it. Also not a fan of the rear tail lights. They should mske this car nice and plain like the brz, and then let the tuners take over and supply nice parts for the car. This allows for a more diverse built car and also keeps costs down which I think is important in a tuner.
master88 El Verdugo12000 Um, I don't know about "nice", but different for sure…Honda should've called it "Type R Turbo" to differentiate it from Type R's of the past.
apex_DNA master88 El Verdugo12000 I dont see your point... TypeR doesnt stand for quick N/A car... but for a fastest type of such model from Honda
master88 speedhunters_dino 3nigm4 No, they were called Accord Type Rs but with different exterior (Japanese Accords of the time had same or similar interior, chassis and powertrain design).
apex_DNA because the car isnt constructed to be able to do so...
apex_DNA master88 speedhunters_dino 3nigm4
I dont understand what u r saying... taking i.e. CL9 the car looks exactly the same as any other CL... but has K20 inside... and is called Euro R.. if you mean the previous version then yes.. it had different exterior compaired to what was sold in that time in Europe... and the car was called Euro R to say it is car from Honda, but is fast and confortable as European (import) cars and was never sold in EU
wheatgod I think we need to redefine what a "work of art" is then.
master88 Not you. The question was directed muhammadilham
master88 apex_DNAdeleted_33424856_El Verdugo12000This is probably like the 4th Honda (that I know of) to ever have a turbo, so why not. Type Rs in the past meant "quick N/A cars". And the spirit is not there anymore. Even EP3 Type Rs came with a UK flag emblem to signify it's difference from Japan-made Type R models.
wheatgod oh... did you drive it? EP3 that came to EU was nothing compaired to JDM version... and I dont even talk about EP Si in US... that was not even match for EU version.
EP3 is a good car, but for what EU ppl demands now... is old.
If the marketed version looks like that i'll eat my hat.
…and then i might just buy one.
Hopefully it didn't inherit its immediate predecessor's torsion bar suspension.
I was just stating the fact that the main difference between CL1 Euro R and CH1 Type R was the exterior...the mechanical side of things were very similar if not the same, such as power train, suspension design and even most of interior (if I'm not mistaken).
apex_DNA you are right about that. The almost only difference was slightly modified engine from H22A (220 hp CL1) to H22A7 (212 hp CH1). The LSD, transmissin etc was the same.
Marlowe Campos It will
UK-made only...I believe USDM/JDM Civics still run the multi-link setup.
master88 Dunno... maybe 40K +