With the legendary reputation that comes with Honda’s Type R-badged automobiles, it’s a little sad to think that there’s only been one Type R ever officially sold in the United States. That, of course, was the DC2 Acura Integra Type R, available in the late ’90s and early 2000s. But thankfully, things are about to change.
Honda has confirmed that the Type R variant of the new 10th generation Civic will be making its way to US shores.
The Japanese automaker has just unveiled a prototype version of the new Civic Type R at the Paris Mondial de L’Automobile, and from there the car is set to make its North American debut at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
If Honda’s past prototypes are anything to go by, then this should be very close to what the actual production Civic Type R will look like. In fact, the largest difference between the prototype and production model may just be the prototype’s brushed aluminum wrap.
While Honda has yet to reveal any final mechanical specs, the Type R prototype shows off aggressive fenders, carbon fiber side skirts, Brembo brakes, 20-inch alloys and three – yes three – functional exhaust tips. Power will come from a turbocharged 2.0-liter – most likely the same K20C1 Earth Dreams unit used in the current FK2 Civic Type R – developing somewhere north of 300 horsepower.
Development for the new Type R was a collaboration between teams in Japan and Europe, and the car will be built at Honda’s Swindon plant in the UK with sales set to begin some time next year.
It’s really happening folks. A new Civic Type R for the world – this time with the United States included. Regardless of the MSRP, I’m guessing the years of anticipation and low production numbers will mean these things are going to be snatched up very quickly. So, who wants one?
Mike Garrett
Instagram: japanifornia
mike@speedhunters.com