The 2017 Honda Civic Type R has been revealed in Geneva ahead of its official European launch this summer, almost exactly 20 years since its introduction in 1997.
This is the fifth generation of the legendary hot hatch, a front-wheel-drive benchmark and one of the few truly global performance hatchbacks. This version gets a raft of improvements to performance, handling and, of course, styling.
Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre VTEC engine, "optimised and refined" for the new model. Producing 316bhp and peak torque of 400Nm, the new Civic Type R is certainly no slouch – though it doesn't challenge the all-wheel-drive Ford Focus RS with 345bhp or the new Audi RS3 with 400bhp.
It comes with three "enhanced driving modes". These are agile, performance-orientated 'Sport' mode, the ever popular and slightly lairy '+R' track mode, and a new one, 'Comfort'. This latest addition promises to rectify some of the issues that the incumbent Civic Type R has had with ride quality.
Honda claims that the aerodynamic package of the new Type R is more comprehensive than the outgoing model. The current-gen Civic Type R certainly attracted criticism from those who felt its body kit was exaggerated and, in places, purely ornamental – blanked-off fake air intakes were one example of form over function, while the ridiculous spoiler is not thought to have had much effect on performance. The 2017 Type R, however, has a smoother underbody as well as vortex generators on the trailing edge of the roofline.
Also improved is the torsional rigidity of the car – apparently up by 38%.
We're excited by the prospect of a new Honda Civic Type R. Even if it loses out to the hyper hatches on power alone, and despite its slightly Halfords aesthetic, this model remains one of the most exciting front-wheel-drive cars on the market, and a far cry from the practical, family-focused vanilla Civic on which it is based.
- Ed Wiseman, Telegraph.co.uk
