While test mules of Honda’s next-generation Civic Type-R hatch were caught in the summer wearing mixed bodies, what we believe to have here is an actual prototype of the production car.
And yes, you’re right to ask how is this possible since Honda just launched the Civic Type R five-door hatchback in Europe, and the answer to that question is, the current car is based on the mid-cycle facelift of the ninth generation Civic and it will not come to North America. In other words, it’s a temporary model with a limited life-span.
The one you see pictured here and which shares its face, most of its body up until the rear doors (sans the aero mods), as well as the underlying structure with the new 11th generation Civic sedan presented last month, is the hatchback Honda was talking about reintroducing to America and which will form the base for the Type R not only in Europe, but in the States too, within the next 18 months.
While keeping many of the aero-elements of the current car, including the blistered front fenders and ginormous rear spoiler, Honda’s next sizzling hatch adds an even more aggressive front design, wider rear wheel arches, and surprisingly, a trio of central-mounted exhausts, which kind of remind us of the Corvette C7…
The current Civic Type R isn’t destined for the USA and Canada, but its internals are, as we’re going to see the new 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC four powering its successor, most probably in an improved form surpassing the 306hp (310PS) and 295 lb ft of torque (400Nm) it delivers today. Even as it stands, it can shoot today’s Type R to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds before topping out at an impressive 167 mph (269 km/h), so if it does get more oomph, expect a further improvement in those figures.
That’s all we have for now, so until we snag Honda testing another prototype of the next Type R or gain some additional details, get a taste of it in our gallery below.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
Photo Gallery
