Hatches don’t get much hotter than the Honda Civic Type R and the company is giving us a glimpse at the redesigned model by introducing a prototype at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Still dressed in its familiar camouflage, the high-performance hatchback follows in the footsteps of the standard model but adopts a more aggressive front bumper. Honda is staying coy on specifics, but we can see a pronounced front lip and unique intakes with vertical air curtains.
Elsewhere, designers gave the car a
honeycomb mesh grille and a ventilated hood. They’re joined by sportier side
skirts and lightweight wheels, which are backed up by a Brembo braking system
with red calipers. The rear end continues to be the Civic Type R’s sportiest
angle as the high-performance model is distinguished by a prominent rear wing
and a center-mounted triple exhaust. We can also see a ventilated bumper and a
relatively modest diffuser.
While the teaser video doesn’t show much
of the interior, drivers will sit behind a microfiber sport steering wheel and
find themselves looking at a digital instrument cluster. The wheel isn’t the
only special touch as the model will be outfitted with sport seats that have
Type R badging on the headrests. Other notable highlights will include red
seatbelts, red contrast stitching, and a six-speed manual transmission with a
metal shifter.
The rest of the cabin will largely
carryover and that’s not a bad thing as the interior is certainly more upscale
than its predecessor. Notable highlights will include honeycomb mesh trim,
alloy pedals, and what we assume is a 9-inch infotainment system.
While there isn’t much we haven’t already
seen, the biggest question remains what’s under the hood. That being said, the
model is expected to use an upgraded version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter
four-cylinder engine that produced 306 hp and 400
Nm of torque in the old model. The new output remains a closely guarded
secret, but Honda teased the car will be the “best performing Civic Type R
ever.”
