Honda will unveil the production version of its much-anticipated new Civic Type R hot-hatch when the Geneva International Motor Show opens on March 9 — and it’s coming to New Zealand this year.
The latest Civic to carry the Type R designation has been developed in parallel with the new standard Civic hatchback range, which is set to arrive in New Zealand from mid-2017 when it joins the sedan model launched last year.
Honda New Zealand says the Type R will follow towards the end of the year.
Honda showed a prototype version of the new Civic Type R at the Paris Auto Show in September 2016, confirming it will be powered by a 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine but not announcing any output figures. The 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo in the outgoing model developed 230kW with 400Nm of torque.
The prototype shown in Paris gave a clear indication of the muscular body styling and aerodynamic modifications that will distinguish the Type R while also featuring a fine-grained brushed aluminium-effect finish unique to the show car.
At the front, the aggressive bumper is accentuated with a winged carbon-fibre splitter and red accent line while slatted ducts add width to the bumper and diamond-mesh inserts fill the sculpted air intakes.
Honda’s famous red “H” badge — which adorns all Type R models — sits above a new air vent at the nose of the car. There is also a new intake on the bonnet, with an air scoop sited centrally in a trapezoidal recess.
Smoked lenses for the LED headlights, indicators and side repeaters reflected the prototype’s more aggressive character.
On the show car, carbon fibre side skirts run the length of the wheelbase while enlarged arches accommodate the 20-inch piano black alloy wheels with red accents and 245-section high-performance tyres.
A substantial carbon-fibre diffuser runs below the wider rear bumper, which frames three tail pipes with a pair of directional strakes at each side.
Production of the new Civic Type R will start in mid-2017 at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in Swindon. The car will be exported across Europe and to other global market, including North America, the first time any Honda-badged Type R has been officially sold there.