Honda has released a design sketch of the Civic Type R Concept that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Previewing the brand’s production hot hatch, the Civic Type R Concept is billed by Honda as a “racing car for the road”. That is not surprising if we compare the concept’s looks with those of the Civic WTCC race car.
The study is supposed to give us a very close idea of the styling direction for the new model, scheduled to go on sale in Europe next year. The car looks wilder than the Civic Type R engineering prototype that Honda showed last November.
The sketch reveals significant changes compared to the regular Civic, including a massive rear wing that incorporates the taillights, a big rear diffuser integrating double exhaust tips on each side, flared wheel arches with brakes, dedicated wheels and a lower stance.
Previously, Honda affirmed that its performance compact will be powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine sending more than 280-horses to the front wheels, with the company’s CEO Takanobu Ito having said that their goal is to break the 265hp Renault Megane 265 Trophy’s Nürburgring record for a FWD production car at 8:07.97.
Besides the Civic Type R concept, Honda’s Geneva Motor Show booth will host the European premiere of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Concept, the powertrain layout of the new NSX and the 2014 Civic World Touring Car Championship racecar.
By Dan Mihalascu
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