Honda Civic Type R Prototype: The Wing You've Been Waiting For
Honda has provided a glimpse of the U.S.-bound Civic Type R at the Paris Auto Show, albeit in concept form (though the automaker prefers the near-production term “prototype”).
This Type R — designed in Japan, built in the UK, and destined (at last) for America — uses the Civic Hatchback as a canvas, then adds every visual performance indicator the automaker could get its hands on. Reportedly, it will have the power to back up its looks.
The Type R is rumored to pack 340 horsepower, and will arrive next year alongside the lesser Civic Si. For now, Honda is keeping powertrain details under wraps.
Engine speculation aside, Honda gave us plenty to look at. (Some might argue too much.) The Type R adds visual aggression wherever it can: new outboard ducts added to the front fascia, smoked headlight lenses, front hood scoop and spoiler, carbon fiber side skirts, extended wheel arches, 20-inch “piano black” alloy wheels wearing 245 width rubber, and that all-important rear wing.
Like other Civics, the Type R sports center-mounted tailpipes, but adds a third, painted outlet. Honda isn’t dishing details on the third pipe or the hood scoop. It’s a safe bet that they aren’t there just for show.
While this Type R is a prototype, the production model likely won’t diverge too much from the vehicle seen here. The first next-generation Type Rs to roll off the Swindon, UK assembly line arrive at European dealers in the second half of 2017. Honda hasn’t said when long-deprived U.S. fans can expect theirs.
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- MKizzy I was only into black cars and am on my third black sedan in a row after starting my car ownership life with an inherited blue vehicle. I am starting to change my mindset and will (probably) find another color for my next vehicle. I still love black, but in the 2020s, black vehicles are lost in a grayscale sea piloted by time and financially stressed owners prioritizing resale value and low maintenance over appearance.
- Cla65691460 will you look at that!...no "fix it again tony" jokes from the "best and brightest"
- Mike-NB2 When I ordered my Golf R a while back, I broke with my decades-long tradition of a black car, not because I wanted to branch out a bit, but because there is a certain blue hue that's associated with the R. That blue (Lapiz Blue) is through the exterior trim and interior of the car even if you go with black or white. It's the colour for the R. That's why I chose it. And I'm glad I did.On a related note, I was coming back from a meeting today (in a rental, not my car, so couldn't flag the guy down without looking odd) and came up on a Mk 7 Golf R that was driving rather slowly in the right lane of the highway. It appeared to be black, but as I got beside it, I noticed that it was one of the dark purple hues on the Spektrum palette that was available on the Mk 7. For those who don't remember it, there were standard colours and then there were 40 additional colours for $3500 more. Oddly, the driver was in his 70s, so whether it was his car or not, I don't know. No, that's no slight against an older person driving a performance car. I'll be 58 in a couple of months, so I'm not going to criticize him.
- MrIcky My car is header orange - so basically a safety cone. My trucks have always been white because scratches don't show up as much.
- FreedMike Yeah, this trend needs to die a painful death.
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The crab pincher tail-lights are not growing on me.
It's got a manual transmission! I could do without the rest of it. :(