- Messages
- 168
- Likes
- 0
The latest concept of the 2015 Honda Civic Type R was recently unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder motor producing about 280 hp, the next Type R marks the first time a Civic will ever feature forced induction, reports Topgear.com.
Honda considered a four-wheel-drive version, which would compete with Volkswagen's hot hatch Golf R but in the end decided to stick with its front-wheel-drive formula. But how can this little car deal with so much power going to its front wheels?
"We have a control mechanism using an adaptive damper on all four struts, in order to control body movement," said Honda Chief Engineer Hisayuki Yaki. "It distributes the drive force on the wheels, managing the center of gravity over any given driving situation."
The engine combines turbo boost with Honda's patented VTEC technology and redlines at 7,000 RPM. Inside, the Type R features a button labelled "R." In the following video, project leader Suehiro Hasshi explains its purpose: "When pressed, this enables the best performance on the circuit."
Honda has also stated that the Civic Type R will outperform any Type R that came before it, including the legendary and rare NSX-R. Available only on the Japanese market, Honda produced under 500 NSX-Rs from 1992-1995. The automaker also aspires to create the fastest front-wheel-drive car ever to lap the benchmark track for performance: the German N?rburgring.
Says Hasshi: "The new Type R is unlike anything that has come before." Sadly, like every Type R before it, the new one will not be coming to the U.S. The cost of converting the cars to U.S. safety and emissions standards has traditionally been the main obstacle.
[video=youtube;oAHI9XD8nzA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAHI9XD8nzA#t=11[/video]