GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Future models - Honda - Civic - Type R

Geneva show: Honda Civic Type R wields 228kW

Red hot: Honda’s new Civic Type R gets first use of the company’s 2.0-litre turbo VTEC engine that forms part of the Earth Dreams powertrain line up.

Honda makes good on its 'fastest front-drive hatch' hype for new 228kW Civic Type R

Gallery

Click to see larger images

3 Mar 2015

AFTER a five-year gestation, Honda’s new-generation Civic Type R has emerged on the eve of the Geneva motor show, with the Japanese company revealing its all-new 2.0-litre turbo-charged VTEC engine will pack 224kW of power and 400Nm of torque and thus live up to its hype as the most potent production front-wheel-drive hatchback on the planet.

Although some other hatchbacks such as Mercedes-Benz’s A45 AMG (265kW) and Ford’s new Focus RS (235kW) carry more power, they are all-wheel drive.

With a top speed of 270km/h and aggressive aerodynamics package, the British-built “race car for the road” is said to cover the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds – faster than the likes of Renault’s Megane RS275 Trophy (6.0s) and Volkswagen Golf GTI (6.4s).

Honda is claiming a new front-wheel-drive hatchback record for a lap of Germany's Nurburgring, saying a prototype achieved 7min 50.63sec in tyre testing, eclipsing the Renault’s Megane RS275 Trophy's 7min 54sec.

It now plans to send a production version back for another crack.

Honda says the Type R's new engine – part of its next-generation Earth Dreams powertrain line-up – boasts advanced new turbocharger technology that boosts low-end torque and delivers sustained acceleration.

Peak power – 80kW more than the previous Type R – arrives at a screaming 6500rpm, just 500rpm short of the 7000rpm red line. Torque peaks at 2500rpm and is fed to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and what Honda describes as an advanced dual-axis front suspension that is claimed to reduce torque steer by 50 per cent compared with the standard Civic set-up.

Honda says the front suspension also contributes to enhanced high-speed stability, on-the-limit cornering and steering feel from the dual-pinion electric power steering.

At the rear, an H-shaped torsion beam suspension employs a “crushed pipe” anti-roll bar to improve roll rigidity by 180 per cent.

The suspension has four-stage adaptive adjustment for comfortable ride around town and firm high-speed handling, while a ‘+R’ setting sharpens inputs such as steering and throttle.

The Type R sits on 19-inch alloy wheels with unique 235/35R19 tyres. The wheel arches have been enlarged to cope with the bigger wheels.

Braking is provided by Brembo 350mm drilled front disc brakes with four-piston callipers, again developed especially for this model.

As Honda previously revealed, the Type R was the subject of much aerodynamic testing as engineers developed aids such as the big rear wing – similar to that of the prototype shown at last year’s Geneva show – as well as a flat underbody, rear diffuser and front splitter.

The Type R made its world debut the at the Geneva show alongside the new hybrid NSX that is making its first European appearance in production form.

The Civic Type R makes its showroom debut in Europe later this year, but Honda Australia is yet to confirm the car’s inclusion in the local line-up.

Read more

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram
Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here