By Jamie White – Head of Communications
After a five year wait, the eagerly anticipated hot hatch – the Honda Civic Type R – has been unveiled.
Billed as a ‘race car for the road’, the all-new Civic Type R will set new standards in the high-performance front-wheel drive hatchback segment.
The production version of Honda’s latest icon was revealed for the first time at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show.
A world-first application of Honda’s new 2.0 litre VTEC TURBO engine and pioneering new chassis technologies combine to deliver one of the most immersive and rewarding driving experiences available. Peak power output is 310 PS at 6,500 rpm, peak torque is 400 Nm at 2,500 rpm – both higher than for any previous Honda Type R model. And 0-62mph takes just 5.7 seconds.
The new 2015 Civic Type R will be powered by the most extreme and high-performing engine in the 22-year history of the red ‘H’ badge, signalling the start of a new performance era for the Honda brand.
The new Civic Type R will also mark the debut of the new ‘+R’ button that increases the response of various chassis and drivetrain systems. The result is an even more intense driving experience, ideal for the track.
The rear wing has been reimagined from the Type R Concept. The structure of the airfoil – its angle, height and shape as well as its vertical end plates – have been carefully engineered to optimise downforce without causing a significant increase in drag at higher speeds. This helps improve road-holding abilities.
Enlarged upper and lower grilles in the front bumper allow greater volume of cooling air into the engine bay. The airflow is channelled to outlet vents above the wheels on the front quarter panels and vents at the trailing edges of the widened front wheel arches to provide greater cooling and ventilation for the high-output engine.
New lightweight, high rigidity 19-inch alloy wheels, unique to the Type R, complement the visual changes.
The Type R is available in five distinctive colours – Championship White, Crystal Black (pearlescent), Polished Metal (metallic), Brilliant Sporty Blue (metallic) and Milano Red.
The all-new Honda Civic Type R will go on sale across Europe from this summer.
Mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, provides Honda UK with a bespoke nationwide mystery shopping, customer experience and performance coaching programme.
