Honda has been teasing the upcoming 2015 Civic Type R for some time now, having given us a glimpse of it back in March. Now, the Japanese automaker has released some more details about the car, and says its performance will be unmatched by any other Type R cars.
Honda's Type R denomination is given to performance versions of its cars. The NSX was the first model to receive a Type R version in 1992, and the first Type R Civic was launched in 1997. Honda says the new Civic Type R signals the start of a new performance era for the brand.
"Honda has had four Type R model derivatives: the Civic, Integra, Accord and NSX," says large project leader for the Civic Type R at Honda R&D Suehiro Hasshi. "The engine in this new Honda Civic Type R is unrivaled against all of them in terms of raw power, torque and engine response."
The vehicle is powered by a turbocharged 2.0 liter i-VTEC engine that produces 280 PS (276 hp). The engine is one of Honda's Earth Dreams Technology series, which seeks to produce the next generation of Honda engines with improved performance and reduced environmental impact.
A new "+R" mode will increase performance further by tweaking the engine response, torque-mapping and steering. "The '+R' button brings out a more dynamic and athletic car for the driver," explains Hasshi. "The difference in character is immense. The '+R' mode is extreme; the car is ideal for track use and will be appreciated by the genuine sports-driving enthusiast."
Honda says the Civic Type R's suspension has been set up to get the most out of the engine's power, with an additional mechanical system at the front to minimize torque steer and a new "four-point Adaptive Damper System" that automatically adjusts front and rear suspension stiffness based on driving conditions. A six-speed manual transmission will also feature.
The new Honda Civic Type R will be on show at the 2014 Paris Motor Show and will be available to buy in Europe from 2015.
Source: Honda