Tuesday 30th September 2014

New Civic Type R - Paris 2014

Did we say new? We meant 'new concept' as Honda confirms 'over 280hp' for long awaited Type R

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The Japanese art of the performance car tease continues at Honda, which is showing (yet) another concept of the Civic Type R ahead of sales starting next summer. They were slightly apologetic at Honda Motor Europe when we rang them - the car seen here is essentially the same as the one revealed at the Geneva show in March, just with a new paintjob and slight refresh, but still no interior.

Lick of paint and engine details for Paris

Instead the big news is that Honda has confirmed the engine: a 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC making "over 280hp" and redlining at 7,000rpm. As we know, the car will be a five-door only, but the next piece of important news is that the car will be manual-only. No dual-clutch, just a six-speeder for maximum purist cred.

The car's aggressive looks have already been heavily commented on, and it looks certain that performance details such as that mahoosive rear wing, blistered wheel arches and quad exhausts round back (a generous one per cylinder) will stay. "We certainly hope so," our press contact told us.

As for price we're told it'll be "competitive" against rivals like Seat's Leon Cupra 280 (£27,000), VW Golf R (£30,000) and the Renault Megane 275 Trophy (£29,000).

We already know Honda plans to out-Nurburgring the Seat and the Renault and beat their recent record-attempting laps for production front-drive cars round the track, currently held (just) by the Megane RS 275 Trophy-R in a time of 7.54.36. The Civic Type R is being developed in Europe and has been spotted hammering round the track. Our press source reckons the R&D department are "very confident" of pinching this not terribly relevant but still attention grabbing record.

OK, we've got used to the looks, let's just have it!

More fresh news includes confirmation that the new car will come with an +R button on the steering wheel that gives greater throttle response, quicker steering and sharper handing via the adaptive dampers.

We're also told that the front suspension is fitted with two 'kingpins' that help minimize torque steer, which sounds similar to Ford's RevoKnuckle for the Focus RS and the Megane's PerfoHub system. We'll try and find out more at Paris.

Honda says the new car has better "power, torque and engine response" than any model it has previously sold wearing the Type R badge, including the Japan-only NSX Type R. We'd be a bit sceptical about that given that the 280hp 'gentleman's agreement' to limit power was in force around then, but it certainly seems like the new Type R will deliver on sheer grunt in the era of the super hatch. We'll all just need to accept driving a car with a whacking great wing again, in an era when Golf R has seduced us with a more subtle approach.

[Speed_Demon]

Can't see how they're going to break the record without some lightweight trickery, which would certainly be welcome IMO.

Also nice to have an in your face alternative, as opposed to its rivals which very much tend to blend in.

[daveco]

That looks absolutely absurd. Laughably bad design imo.

[Megaflow]

I'm going to reserve final judgement until I see one in the flesh, in a decent colour, sans all the dubious graphics.

At the minute, as Mr. J. Clarkson once said, it looks like it crashed into a Halfords shop window. All the crap has just stuck to it...

[gregf40]

daveco said:

That looks absolutely absurd. Laughably bad design imo.

I completely disagree.

It looks like a touring car for the road...not just another boring Civic.

I can't wait to get one!

[Reavenger]

I really like it also. Touring car for the road.

[xRIEx]

Megaflow said:

At the minute, as Mr. J. Clarkson once said, it looks like it crashed into a Halfords shop window. All the crap has just stuck to it...

That's somewhat ironic - using a Clarkson quote to describe how uncool something is.

[MustardCutter]

I think the concept looks fantastic, but the prototype looks a bit of a dogs dinner. I'm guessing the production model will look more like the prototype unfortunately...

[Type R Tom]

Can't wait for a test drive!

[thecremeegg]

I think it looks epic, so much better than the dogs dinner that is the standard Civic

[cocopop]

I really like it, except the four exhausts. They don't look right on hot hatches.

[Tuvra]

It looks rubbish in comparison to the Focus RS mock ups:

[Alfa159Ti]

Remove that daft wing and half the exhaust count and that would look pretty mean. I think a central twin pipes a la the F Type would look pretty awesome.

[vz-r_dave]

daveco said:

That looks absolutely absurd. Laughably bad design imo.

Not that I am going to read your response but can you not explain why? What is it with PH culture these days to post up moronic statements without explanation? Add some value!

[urquattroGus]

No weight figures, but needs more power surely? 280 is a bit old news? I expected just over 300 or more.

Maybe the way it delivers the power, and the handling will be what it's about.

[Uncle John]

Love the look of this, it's what a bonkers hot hatch should look like, not like some librarians chariot a la VAG group.

[Mr SFJ]

280 from a 2 litre VTEC unit?

the VTEC system on it's own can get 200 (maybe more) Surely a blower would add more than 80hp?

I bet it'll be very near 300, if not a little more. I think it'll be around 320.

[VladD]

daveco said:

That looks absolutely absurd. Laughably bad design imo.

Have to agree. The Civic lost it's way when they based it on Postman Pat's van.

[Chienmetallique]

Nomex prepared.

Think this will look great on the track, on the road it will just scream wker.

[MrGeoff]

urquattroGus said:

No weight figures, but needs more power surely? 280 is a bit old news? I expected just over 300 or more.

Maybe the way it delivers the power, and the handling will be what it's about.

300? It's quite low revving for a VTEC engine I would imagine the way it delivers the power is different. I can't imagine not having fun with 280bhp! We have become power driven, forgetting these figures are more than most people will make use of!

[Agoogy]

Love the rear wing and light graphic.
Sadly its been applied to a compromised car design which is well over detailed in terms of fake scoops and holes and diffusers and extra exhaust pipes...
It's standard 21st century hot hatch, but it's just too busy.
Yes its a Touring car for the road....but if you actually drove a car that looked like a Touring car on the road you won't be admired, you'll look a tool... akin to driving around in an Impreza with the full WRC livery ... naff IMO.