Honda Unveils Near Production 2015 Civic Type R VTEC Turbo [36 Photos & Video]

In case you didn’t notice it, the all-new 2015 Civic Type-R for the European, Japanese and possibly other markets around the world (aside, of course, from North America), which was revealed today in near production form having shed all of its camouflage and wearing a flat black coat, will come with Honda’s newly developed VTEC Turbo engine.

The Civic Type R will actually be the first model in Europe to adopt one of Honda’s all-new VTEC TURBO engines (read more about that here), sporting a displacement of 2.0-liters and an output of over 280-horses.

Honda is pretty serious about the performance credentials of the new Type R, with the brand’s CEO Takanobu Ito stating that their goal is to beat the current record of the fastest lap for a regular production, front-wheel drive hatch on the Nürburgring, currently held by the 265hp Renault Megane 265 Trophy at 8:07.97.

If Honda succeeds in doing so, it may very well even top or at least approach the fastest time held by any production Honda model, the NSX-R at 7:56.73.

Besides the new engine, Honda has re-worked the Civic five-door hatchback’s chassis components, from the suspension, to the wider tracks, electronic driver assist systems and the big-Brembo brakes residing behind the 19-inch wheels.

No need to tell you that Honda has paid extra attention to the car’s aerodynamics and consequently, sporty looks with wheel arch extensions up front working together with the new front bumper, a massive rear wing and a rear diffuser flanked by twin pipes on either side.

This Civic not only looks the part, but according to Honda’s WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini, it acts the part as well.

“The car and the characteristics of the car were fantastic,” said Tarquini. “I was really impressed by the power and the torque of the engine but also by the set-up they achieved…The car is very pointed on the front and very fast to change direction. This car is very close to my racing car and you can feel very well the DNA of Type R.”

Nevertheless, let’s be honest here; as Honda’s official driver, one would expecting nothing less than a positive thumbs up from Tarquini, so we’ll just wait and see how the Type R does in other hands as well.

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