Honda Civic Hatch or Sedan? These 5 Things Could Help You Decide
After more than a decade-long absence, the Honda Civic hatchback has made its triumphant return to North American shores.
With its return, the popular compact’s practicality has been ratcheted up thanks to two additional doors. You’d have to flip back through the history books about 25 years to find the last five-door Civic sold on this side of the world. But that hasn’t done anything to slow sales, with Honda’s popular compact floating near the top of the charts for decades on the back of the successful sedan.
ALSO SEE: 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Review
With a pair of practical choices on the market — lest we forget the coupe — there’s surely going to be plenty of debate over which Civic is worthy of your hard-earned dollars. And that’s where this short list of the top five differences between the Civic hatch and sedan comes in, laying out, in simple terms, what each is best suited for.
5. The Hatch Only Comes Turbocharged
2017HondaCivicHatchback004
While a turbocharged engine is available under the hood of the Civic sedan, it’s the only engine available in the new five-door. Output from the 1.5-liter ranges from 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque to 180 hp and 177 lb-ft depending on trim and transmission. And speaking of transmissions, a six-speed manual can finally be mated to the turbocharged four-cylinder for folks who prefer to row their own gears. This, however, isn’t an exclusive pairing for the hatchback, with the three-pedal setup also available on coupe and sedan models — though only in EX-T trim.
4. The Sedan Offers More Passenger Room
2017HondaCivicHatchback018
The hatchback’s shrunken dimensions compared to the sedan — it measures 4.3 inches (109 millimeters) shorter — mean slightly less room for rear seat passengers. With 36 inches (914 mm) of legroom, the back seat is cozier than the sedan’s 37.4 inches (950 mm). Interestingly, however, its wedge-like shape gives the hatchback a slight edge in rear seat headroom, with 37.4 inches (950 mm) compared to the sedan’s 36.8 inches (935 mm). Likewise, hip room grows by 1.5 inches (38 mm) in the five-door compared to the Civic sedan. As almost nothing is different between the two cars from the B-pillar forward, space in the front seats is essentially identical.
ALSO SEE: 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Review
3. The Hatch Can Carry More Cargo
2017HondaCivicSport2
What the five-door lacks in passenger room it more than makes up for in space for your stuff. Boasting as much as 25.7 cu-ft (728 liters) of space behind the rear seats, the Civic hatch exceeds its sedan sibling’s 15.1 cu-ft (428 liters) by a long shot. Better still, cargo room in the hatchback balloons to a ridiculous 46.2 cu-ft (1,308 liters) with the rear seats folded. Both numbers put the Civic hatch among the segment leaders when it comes to cargo-carrying capacity.
2. The Sedan is Cheaper
2016-Honda-Civic-LX-15
Starting at $18,740 ($16,390 in Canada), the sedan will certainly save you a few bucks compared to the five-door. Of course, both body styles can be priced close to $30,000 and beyond depending on trim level and options, with my best guess being that most folks will want either fitted somewhere in between. A base model of the Civic hatch or sedan will get you just that — a base model — while a loaded Touring sedan or Sport Touring hatch will provide all the creature comforts you could want and then some, including heated leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and adaptive cruise control, among others. It’s quite the bit of kit.
ALSO SEE: 2016 Honda Civic LX Review
1. The Hatch is Available in a Sport Trim
2017HondaCivicSport
… Two of them, actually. Available in both Sport and Sport Touring guise, the Civic hatch boasts a pair of trims not available in the other two body styles that include a subtle body kit and an uptick in power from the rest of the Civic pack. Neither is the pending Si model, but 180 horsepower is par for the course, compared to 174 hp in the rest of the turbocharged Civic pack, while the torque count jumps as high as 177 lb-ft with the six-speed manual transmission. Cars equipped with the continuously variable automatic make do with the same 162 lb-ft of torque in non-Sport trims. Canadians can count themselves lucky that the leather-lined luxury of the Sport Touring model can be equipped with three pedals — something that can’t be done on U.S. cars.
If it were my money, I’d probably opt for the hatchback for its added versatility and available sport trims, but there’s nothing wrong with the sedan if that better suits your taste. After all, it did win AutoGuide.com‘s Car of the Year award for 2016. Either way, the pair, along with the Civic coupe, offers choice, if nothing else.
Source: Honda Civic Hatch or Sedan? These 5 Things Could Help You Decide
2016 honda civic coupe grc competitive race car – DOC693721
Honda is using the 2016 SEMA Show to introduce its new race car for the Red Bull Global Rallycross. Developed by Olsbergs MSE, a Swedish racing team that also designs race cars, the new GRC-spec Civic Coupe will replace the car that ran against Volkswagen, Ford, and Subaru in the 2016 season, placing third in the manufacturers’ championship. The designing team also received input from Honda Performance Devel opment (HPD), the brand’s racing division, which has created many successful race cars over the last few years.
Honda is a pretty new entry in the Red Bull Global Rallycross, itself a recently established sport, having been launched in 2011. The Japanese brand joined the competition last year, also with a race car based on the Civic Coupe. The compact raced against GRC-spec versions of the Ford Fiesta ST, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Volkswagen Beetle, and Hyundai Veloster. Honda and Olsbergs MSE finished the season third and are hoping to do better in 2017.
Not much is known about the new race car at the of this writing, but Honda did release a batch of photos and just enough info for a short review. We should find out more at the 2016 SEMA Show in November so make sure you stick around for updates.
Exterior
Honda didn’t have much to say about the race car’s exterior, but the photos suggest it is heavily based on the new Civic Coupe. The GRC-spec model retains quite a few features from the standard model, including the overall shape and size, the roof, glass house, and most of the front and rear fascias. However, the coupe did receive plenty of modifications in the lower half in order to become suitable for rallycross. The bumper lost the traditional side vents with daytime running lights and received a wider center grille and new splitter, while the grille sports black elements and a new mesh. The engine hood was modified to include vents above each wheel, as well as quick-release pins.
The coupe received plenty of modifications in the lower half in order to become suitable for rallycross.
Onto the sides, we can see beefed-up wheel arches, big vents in the rear fenders, rounded out side skirts, and a set of custom wheels finished in high-sheen red. Although Honda doesn’t provide a good view of the rear, we can definitely see the big wing and the red-painted diffuser. Likely still a concept as of this writing, the Civic Coupe GRC looks more than ready to go rallycrossing. What’s more, the body kit works well with the Civic Coupe’s new aggressive styling.
Interior
There’s no pictures or information of what’s beyond the dark-tinted glass, but based on GRC regulations, the Civic should keep only a handful of original parts. While the dashboard may still resemble that of the stock car, it shouldn’t include the usual center stack features or the standard instrument cluster. Also, don’t expect the car to have a center tunnel or a standard gear shifter and handbrake lever. GRC cars also come with an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, Recaro racing seats, bare metal floors, lightweight door panels, and a simple screen for an instrument cluster. If you’re not familiar with rallycross, just have a look at the interior of a current World Rally Championship car. They should be very similar.
Drivetrain
Honda Civic Coupe GRC Competitive Race Car
Drivetrain information is also slim, but Honda did say that the car will boast “more than 600 horsepower” thanks to its revised turbocharged engine. The Japanese brand also mentioned that the Civic Coupe will need only 1.9 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start. Yup, that’s no typo, the Civic Coupe GRC is quicker than the Bugatti Chiron and any other production supercar out there. The benchmark shouldn’t shock you either, ass two-second 0-to-60 mph times are the norm in this series. As you might have already guess based on this figure, the vehicle is equipped with an all-wheel drive system. The race car was also designed to handle the 70-foot table-top jumps featured on each racetrack, so we’re looking at a vehicle that’s not only quicker, but also tougher than a WRC car. It’s also worth noting that these racers are devoid of any electronic traction aids.
Conclusion
Honda Civic Coupe GRC Competitive Race Car
While Honda is still a novice in this series, Olsbergs MSE is among the veterans of the rallycross scene. The Swedish team began racing in 2005 and hasn’t stopped since then. After nine years of racing with the Ford Fiesta, the Swedes opted to go with the Civic Coupe, which came with technical assistance from Honda Performance Devel opment. While the first season didn’t go very well, things could change in 2017 as both sides have gathered a significant amount of experience in 2016. It’s too early to predict what will happen, but HPD has delivered some impressive race cars over the years and Olsbergs knows what a car like the Civic Coupe needs in order to become a GRC champion.
LOVE IT
Back by two strong teams
Powerful engine
Aggressive design
LEAVE IT
Stiff competition
Honda is still new to the series
Press Release
Fresh off the heels of the 2016 Global Rallycross season finale, the 2016 GRC Civic Coupe Competitive Race car arrives on the SEMA floor, literally covered with track dust and dirt. Developed from a production-model 2016 Civic Coupe chassis by renowned builders and racers Olsbergs MSE (OMSE) with technical assistance from Honda Performance Development (HPD), the Civic Red Bull GRC car is built to withstand the rigorous demands of racing in a series that emphasizes repeated aggressive acceleration and varied terrain. The car will boast more than 600 horsepower, turn in a 0-60 mph time of 1.9 seconds and is designed to handle the 70-foot table-top jumps featured on each racetrack.
Source: 2016 Honda Civic Coupe GRC Competitive Race Car
2016 honda civic coupe by mad industries – DOC693488
If you read our review of the 2016 Honda Civic Coupe you probably know where we stand when it comes to Japan’s new two-door. Powerful enough to give the Toyota 86 a run for its money and stylish enough to go head-to-head against the BMW 2 Series, the new Civic Coupe delivers great bang for the buck and solid performance next to excellent fuel economy. But, we also think there is room for improvement, especially for drivers looking for a more aggressive design and a lot more power. This is where tuning shops such as MAD Industries come in.
Known for modifying everything American from Mustangs to large trucks and SUVs, MAD Industries has also created upgrades for several Honda and Acura models in recent years. At the 2016 SEMA Show, the shop will unveil yet another Honda-based package, this time around for the new Civic Coupe. The project is more about the looks and the interior than added horsepower — at least based on the lack of drivetrain information — but it’s a solid package if you’re looking to enhance your bone-stock Civic.
Developed to “showcases the versatility and fun factor behind the all-new Civic Coupe,” the package is solid proof that no matter how sporty a standard model is, there’s always room for more aggressive exterior bits and a flashy interior.
Exterior
MAD Industry’s conversion is far from radical, but the extra bits help the car stand out compared to the standard Civic Coupe. Arguably the most important upgrade is the hand-made carbon-fiber kit from Carbon 2 Carbon. The bundle includes a front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, and rear bumper inserts. The diffuser now includes a single exhaust pipe, while the decklid received a big, fixed Spec R wing.
Arguably the most important upgrade is the carbon-fiber kit from Carbon 2 Carbon.
The shop painted the coupe in BASF’s Aegean Blue with Jet Black accents on the lower side panels. The Civic also received a black stripe on the engine hood, a black grille, black window trim, and smoked taillights and front turn signals. The front “Honda” badge was repainted blue, while the rear logo was finished in black. A set of 19-inch “rotiform” QLB Forged wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes T1R tires round off the exterior.
Interior
Honda Civic Coupe By MAD Industries
The blue and black theme of the exterior continues inside the cabin with Aegean Blue accents on the dashboard, steering wheel, center console, and door panels. MAD Industries also added blue stitching to the seats, door panels, and steering wheel in order to brighten up the otherwise black interior. One final touch is the Roadwire leather covers with suede inserts on the front seats. Granted, it’s not a lot for a SEMA Show concept, but it definitely adds some value to the Civic Coupe.
Drivetrain
MAD Industries had nothing to say about the car’s drivetrain, meaning it could be powered by any of the two engines available with the Civic Coupe right now. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-banger generates 174 horses and 162 pound-feet of twist. Given the upgrades inside and out, I’m tempted to believe that MAD Industries went with the more powerful unit. Hopefully, the shop also prepared a few updates that push the total output beyond the 200-horsepower mark. Engine upgrades or not, MAD Industries did say that the coupe received a set of Eibach Pro performance springs for improved handling and lowered ride height.
Conclusion
Honda Civic Coupe By MAD Industries
The Honda Civic has been favored by American tuning shops ever since it was launched in the U.S. in the late 1970s, and MAD Industries’ build is proof that the new-generation coupe makes no exception from this rule. Granted, the Civic can handle more extreme modifications, but this concept here is a good start if you want a ride that stands out from the pack. It would’ve been nice with a more powerful engine or some specs given it’s already in there, but it’s a project that SEMA visitors and Civic gearheads will most definitely enjoy seeing.
LOVE IT
Plenty of carbon-fiber add-on
Flashy paint and cabin accents
Likely pretty affordable
LEAVE IT
No drivetrain information
Deserves a beefed-up engine
Press Release
The MAD Industries Civic showcases the versatility and fun factor behind the all-new Civic Coupe, with its aggressive stance and turbocharged power. Painted in BASF R-M Waterborn System in Aegean Blue and Jet Black, complete with Carbon 2 Carbon handcrafted Carbon fiber ground effects, single exhaust and Spec R wing, the MAD Industries Coupe catches the eye from every angle. The bold cockpit artfully blends the Aegean Blue and black exterior accents detailed by MAD Industries luxurious-but-sporty appointed custom interior, along with Roadwire leather seat covers with perforated suede inserts, contrasted by blue stitching in the seat, door panels and Steering wheel. The Eibach Pro Kit Performance Springs are on a set of stunning 19″ “rotiform” QLB Forged wheels wrapped with Toyo Proxes T1R High Performance tires.
Recall roundup – Honda Civic for parking brake issue
Recall roundup – Honda Civic for parking brake issue image
The Japanese automaker has decided to service almost 350,000 units of the 2016 Civic coupe and sedan models because the electric parking brake can malfunction.
Honda has announced the recall for the 2016 Civic Sedan and Coupe models in the United States as the carmaker needs to update the software of the Electric Parking Brake (EPB), with the company announcing “the software for the Vehicle Stability Assist Electronic Control Unit may prevent application of the EPB when it is applied immediately after turning the vehicle ignition off.” If that’s the case, the “Brake” warning indicator in the instrument panel will blink for 15 seconds – the problem was reported through warranty claims associated with the illumination of the brake warning light and Honda adds no accidents or injuries have been reported.
The automaker will start to inform owners of the affected models next month. This adds to the ongoing recall issues Honda has, for example last month the company said additional units of the Fit, Civic, and Accord models from the 2009 through 2011 model years would be added to the ongoing Takata-supplied airbag inflator safety campaign – now covering almost 668,000 vehicles from the Japanese company. The automaker has some good news as well, with the Los Angeles Auto Show expected to feature the premiere of the Civic Si, a model slated just below the flagship Type R.
Source: Recall roundup – Honda Civic for parking brake issue
2016 Honda Civic Recalled for Electric Parking Brake Issue
The 2016 Honda Civic is being recalled to address an issue with its electric parking brake.
According to the Japanese automaker, approximately 350,000 units are affected by the recall in the U.S. Both the coupe and sedan models are involved and dealerships will update the electric parking brake (EPB) software for free to address the issue.
The software currently on the affected vehicles for the Vehicle Stability Assist Electronic Control Unit may prevent application of the EPB when it is applied immediately after turning the vehicle ignition off. If the EBP cannot be applied, the “BRAKE” warning indicator on the instrument panel will flash for 15 seconds to alert the driver.
In addition, if the EPB isn’t properly set and a parking gear is not selected by the driver, the vehicle could potentially roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. Honda notes that the condition does not occur if the EPB is applied before turning off the vehicle ignition.
No crashes or injuries have been related to the issue, which was discovered through warranty claims associated with the illumination of the brake warning light.
Source: 2016 Honda Civic Recalled for Electric Parking Brake Issue
After years of losing market share to rivals, namely the Korean brands, Honda is now in the midst of a product renaissance that started with the arrival of the award-winning 2016 Civic Sedan. We’ve since seen new Civic Coupe, Civic Hatchback and Ridgeline models join the range and today we have our first look at a new CR-V.
Due in showrooms in the winter, the 2017 CR-V, the fifth generation of the popular SUV, boasts a handsome look, a much more refined interior, and the nameplate’s first-ever turbocharged engine. The platform is a stretched version of the light yet stiff design that debuted in the 2016 Civic.
The 2017 CR-V has grown in size compared to its predecessor, which makes sense with the smaller HR-V on the scene. There’s close to 1.2 inches of extra wheelbase, which in particular benefits rear legroom. The cabin, which seats five, is not only more spacious but also more refined, thanks mostly to a new soft-touch instrument panel and stitched seats.
Available features include a 7.0-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system, which is powered by an Android-based operating system and can be equipped with navigation. The infotainment system also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems. For safety, Honda is offering its Sensing suite of electronic driver aids which includes adaptive cruise control, collision warning, and blind spot and rear cross traffic warning systems.
2017 Honda CR-V
The base LX model sticks with the outgoing CR-V’s 2.4-liter inline-4, good for 184 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. The EX, EX-L and Touring models get Honda’s new turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4, good for 190 hp and 179 lb-ft. The turbocharged engine will return the highest gas mileage in the compact SUV class, Honda promises. All CR-Vs come with a CVT.
Three plants in North America will produce the new CR-V. They include plants in East Liberty, Ohio; Greensburg, Indiana; and Alliston, Ontario, Canada. The engines, meanwhile, will be sourced from plants in Anna, Ohio and Alliston.
Pricing will be announced closer to the market launch but should start close to the $24,645 sticker of the outgoing model.
For more on the Honda CR-V, read the in-depth reviews at The Car Connection.
Honda Recalls 350,000 2016 Civics For E-Brake Issue
Honda‘s American division has announced a recall for all locally-delivered 2016 Civic Coupe and Sedan models for an issue regarding the electric parking brake.
The issue revolves around the software for the Vehicle Stability Assist Electronic Control Unit which may prevent the parking brake from being applied straight after the vehicle’s ignition is turned off.
Although a brake warning indicator in the instrument panel will illuminate and blink for 15 seconds if the parking brake isn’t applied, the vehicle may roll away if the parking gear is not selected by the driver.
The issue was discovered after warranty claims regarding the brake warning light and thankfully, no crashes or injuries related to the issue have been reported.
To fix the problem, the Japanese automaker will update the software of the ECU. Affected owners will be notified by mail beginning in early November.
Source: Honda Recalls 350,000 2016 Civics For E-Brake Issue
When you go to an event like the Paris Auto Show, you expect some crazy exotic or some new luxury car to steal the spotlight, but at the 2016 Paris Auto Show, it was a Honda that was in the limelight. Specifically, it was this Honda Civic Type R Concept, which serves as a preview of the upcoming production model. This concept is all about looks, but it’s widely believed that there’s an uprated 2.0-liter, turbocharged, VTEC hidden away under the hood – the same engine that will eventually make it into the road-going Type R. And, that engine could produce upward of 350 horsepower.
It’s hard to believe that a concept car from Honda is getting such a following, but Honda has finally tapped back into the hot hatch market in a big way with the new Civic Hatchback. Mainly because the new Civic Hatch is built on a global platform, which means we’ll finally get it, and the Type R all of us tuners have been dying to have, here in the U.S. With the aggressive styling seen on this concept from the gnarly front bumper all the way back to that meticulously designed spoiler, this concept proves that Honda is finally listening to its fan base again.
So, with that said, let’s dive on into the best Civic we’ve seen from Honda in a long time and go over the details that make this Type R concept one of the coolest cars to roll into the Paris Auto Show.
Exterior
This Is The Honda Civic Type R We’ve All Been Waiting For
This Is The Honda Civic Type R We’ve All Been Waiting For
This Is The Honda Civic Type R We’ve All Been Waiting For
Using the Civic Hatchback as a canvass, Honda put significant effort into building a Type R Concept that would absolutely wow and shock anyone who looks at it. And, they did a damn good job. First off, Honda started by throwing a scoop on that already muscular hood. Whether it is functional or not remains to be seen, but we’re pretty sure it will be functional on the road-going model that will debut in the coming months. Down below, the upper grille is graced by the traditional red Honda logo to go with a Type R badge to one side. The headlights look to be the same as the road-going hatchback, but down below, everything is different. There’s now a small front spoiler with winglets on each side to help create downforce on the front end. Above that, the hatchbacks aggressive bumper can be made out, but on the Type R Concept, those air intakes are a bit larger, with an extra set of vertically oriented flow-through vents on the outer edge. These should function as channels that will force air toward the front brakes for additional cooling. The air dam is also much larger, which we suspect will increase airflow to a larger turbo intercooler.
The side profile of the Type R concept really builds on what we’ve already seen on the road-going civic hatchback.
The side profile of the Type R concept really builds on what we’ve already seen on the road-going civic hatchback. The front fenders are much wider and feature vents just ahead of the front doors. This wide fender kit actually blends seamlessly into the side skirts that are much more dramatic than on the road-going hatch. Like the front lip, the skirts are accented with a red pinstripe and feature a small winglet at the rear, just ahead of the rear wheels. The rear quarters aren’t quite as wide as the fronts, but there’s definitely more definition there than seen on the road-going car from which this one is based. The stylish, multi-spoke wheels also feature a red pinstripe, and the calipers are painted bright red as well.
Around back, the Type R Concept has a lot to say, and it says it in an evil way. With the same taillights that we love on the road-going hatch, the color of this car’s vinyl wrap really accentuates the glow of the taillights. The rear hatch is practically unchanged, but it does sport the traditional red Honda emblem and the Type R badging. Then there’s that wild looking spoiler that was designed with form and function in mind. Now, as far as we know, the Type R will be front-wheel drive, so there isn’t a need for excessive downforce back here, but that spoiler will provide some. Down below, there is the same massive vent on each corner while the bumper insert from the road-going hatch has been replaced by a mild diffuser-like element. A red pinstripe graces the bottom of the rear fascia. But, what about those spaced out exhaust outlets with that smaller red pipe in the middle? We don’t know exactly what is going on with that, but rumors suggest that could be performance related in one way or another. Or, it could be a sound tube to really amplify the sound of the turbo blow off valve. This car really is the definition of sexy and Japanese aggression all rolled into one package.
Type R Comparison
Honda Civic Type R Concept
Honda Civic Type R
In comparison, the new Type R (left) is sleeker and more aggressive than ever. The air intakes and air dam are larger, while the hood has a much better angle.
Honda Civic Type R Concept
Honda Civic Type R
The new Type R (left) is way more aggressive in the rear, the taillights are larger, and the diffuser is more aggressive than ever. Plus, the Type R will finally have center exhaust pipes.
Interior
Honda Civic Type R Concept
So far, Honda has kept the interior of the Type R prototype a complete mystery. It hasn’t released any images whatsoever, while the windows are also heavily tinted, so we can’t even get shots of the interior in person. When Honda debuted the new Civic Hatchback, the interior was a pretty big departure from the then-current model. That weird, double-stack instrument cluster was gone, replaced by a single, three-stage unit that is recessed into the dash. As such, the dashboard sits a little lower and also features a little more character. The infotainment display in the center stack sits at a better angle, and the center console got a little wider. The armrest and switch panels on the front doors also sit flat now as opposed to elevating upward in the front.
In the last Type R, there was lots of red accenting on the seats and mild red striping on the dash and door panels
We expect the Type R Concept to preview what we will see in the road-going Type R, but even if we never get a look at the inside, we can at least look at the new road-going hatchback and the previous Type R to get a fair idea of things to come. In typical Type R fashion, the interior will be primarily black with healthy doses of what I like to call Type R red. In the last Type R, there was lots of red accenting on the seats and mild red striping on the dash and door panels. The steering wheel got red inserts around the bottom spoke and a red stripe at 12 O’clock. The instrument cluster also illuminated red, while the infotainment display has red accent lighting as well.
The new Civic hatchback already has the red built into the instrument cluster and the infotainment display, so that’s pretty much a given for the road-going Type R. Expect to see a flat bottom steering wheel with inserts and the 12 O’clock stripe that are similar to those in the outgoing Type R. The face of the dash should get some red accenting, but I think for the new Type R, we’ll see some red ambient lighting in the pockets of the door trim, along the bottom of the dash, inside the cup holder, and inside that pocket at the front of the center console. The backlighting for all of the controls could also take on red coloration. I expect to see race-inspired seats that will feature heavy red accents and red seatbelts as well. If the past really is a good representation of the future, the interior of the Type R Concept or the road-going Type R definitely won’t disappoint.
We’re keeping our eyes open for interior shots of this concept, so stay tuned for updates.
Drivetrain
Honda Civic Type R
As far as this concept goes, Honda has said nothing at all about what lurks under the hood. Honda did just spend buckets of money on the 2.0-liter, turbocharged, VTEC that is found in the current Type R, so we’re expecting that to hide under the hood of this concept and the road-going Type R that we’ll see in the coming months. There’s more to it than that, though. Honda wants to reclaim its place as the fastest FWD car on the Nürburgring, so expect the road-going Type R to produce more than the 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque found in the current model. Some sources are saying that the road-going model will put out closer to 325 ponies, but here at we think it will be more than that.
See, Honda has a real hot hatch on its hands for the first time in a long time – and it’s coming to the U.S. That means it’s got stiff competition from cars like the Ford Focus RS. Honda would be smart to tap into that kind of power and bring at least 345 or 350 horsepower out of the production Type R. Granted the Focus RS is rear-wheel drive, but outside of that, the Type R will compete with it on every level. And, who’s to say that Honda won’t really surprise us and go rear-wheel drive? Okay, so that’s really not likely at all, but it could be done, and it would certainly be an interesting thing to see. Either way, we’re really looking forward to learning what motivates this concept and the future, U.S.-bound Type R.
Conclusion
This Is The Honda Civic Type R We’ve All Been Waiting For
All I can say about this concept is wow! Not only does Honda finally have a hatchback worth really having, but this Type R Concept proves we have something to really look forward to here in the U.S. For a while there, it seemed like Honda’s research and development department was full of recruits from nursing homes. This Type R Concept finally proves that Honda has some young blood, or at the very least young thinking, within its R&D department. I know I can’t wait to see the road-going version land here in the U.S., but at least we can look at the pictures of this awesome beast until that happens. Job well done, Honda. I’m officially a fan yet again.
LOVE IT
Aggressive exterior
Wild styling
Preview of U.S.-bound Type R
LEAVE IT
No view of the interior
Drivetrain is a mystery
What’s with that middle exhaust outlet?
Photo Credit: Honda
Press Release
Fresh on the heels of the sales launch of the 2017 Civic Hatchback, the next-generation Civic Type R had its global debut in prototype form today at the 2016 Paris auto show. The radical new Civic Type R, with its sporty and sleek hatchback design and track-ready performance, will make its North American debut at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 1-4, 2016, marking the arrival of the first-ever Honda-badged Type R in the U.S.
The Civic Type R Prototype offers insight into the styling of the next-generation Civic Type R, which will be officially unveiled in 2017, joining the 10th Generation Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe and newly released Civic Hatchback, with the Civic Si variants also launching next year.
This Is The Honda Civic Type R We’ve All Been Waiting For
“We promised the most ambitious, sportiest Civic lineup ever and we’re delivering on that promise with each new Civic,” said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “For the first time ever in America, Honda fans and enthusiasts will have access to the ultimate in Civic performance in the form of the new Type R.”
Based on the low and wide proportion of the new Civic Hatchback, the Civic Type R Prototype is enhanced by muscular body styling and modifications to aid aerodynamic performance. The exterior is wrapped in a highly reflective, finely-grained brushed aluminum-effect finish, which is unique to the prototype car. At the front, the aggressive fascia is accentuated with a winged carbon fiber splitter and sporty red accent line. Additional slatted ducts add width to the fascia, and diamond-mesh inserts fill the sculpted air intakes.
This Is The Honda Civic Type R We’ve All Been Waiting For
Honda’s iconic red “H” badge, which adorns all Type R models, sits prominently on the front grille at the nose of the car. There is a new intake on the hood, with an air scoop sited centrally in a trapezoidal recess. Smoked lenses for the LED headlights, indicators and side indicator repeater lights reflect the Type R Prototype’s more aggressive character.
Carbon fiber side skirts run the length of the side sills, between 20-inch piano black alloy wheels with red accents and 245-section high-performance tires. A beefy carbon fiber diffuser runs below the wider rear fascia, which frames three fully-functional tailpipes flanked by a pair of directional strakes. The smaller diameter central tailpipe is highlighted in bright metallic red. Model-exclusive vortex generators at the rear edges of the roof point backward toward a visually striking rear wing.
This Is The Honda Civic Type R We’ve All Been Waiting For
The next generation Civic Type R was developed by the joint efforts of Honda R&D teams in Europe and Japan and will be officially unveiled in production form next year. The 2017 Civic Type R will be produced exclusively at the Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) plant in Swindon, the global manufacturing hub for the five-door hatchback.
