Honda is on a mission to ensure its future electric vehicles (EVs) deliver the same pulse-quickening thrills that have defined its internal combustion engine (ICE) models.
The iconic Type R badge could make its way onto an all-electric performance car as Honda tackles the challenge of adapting driving excitement for the EV era - all while navigating its potential merger with Nissan.
Balancing legacy and innovation
Toshihiro Mibe, head of Honda’s Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Development Centre, acknowledges the complexity of crafting a true Type R experience with EV technology.
Speaking to Auto Express at the unveiling of Honda’s 0 Series EV prototypes in Las Vegas, Mibe highlighted the difficulty of replicating ICE thrills in an electric format.
“A battery and motor have different characteristics, so we can’t come up with something exactly the same as before,” Mibe explained.
“As an EV, how can we provide the joy of driving? We haven’t given up, of course, but it’s not just about power. It’s about the sound, vibration, acceleration, and the human experience. These are the joys of driving.”
The future of Type R
The current FL5-generation Civic Type R is expected to remain on sale for some time, but its long-term future remains uncertain.
As Honda prepares to launch the next-generation Civic later this decade, speculation is mounting about whether a hybrid or fully electric Type R could replace the current petrol-powered model.
Honda’s 0 Series lineup, set to include seven EVs, presents an opportunity to evolve the Type R nameplate for the electrified age.
Competitors like Hyundai’s N division have shown that performance-focused EVs can replicate the exhilaration of ICE vehicles, as demonstrated by the Ioniq 5 N.
While enthusiasts debate whether an electric Type R can truly honour its heritage, Honda faces a crucial decision: embrace the EV revolution or let the Type R retire as a symbol of the roaring engine era.