The new Honda Civic Type R has had more than it’s fair share of hype about it coming into 2014. Rumors of the turbocharged Earth Dreams engine series that might find a home in one of Honda’s more well known chassis was more than many Honda fans could bear.
The Civic Type R Concept made it’s debut at the Geneva Auto Show in 2014, highlighting a concept chassis and engine. The Civic Type R Turbo shocked many Honda fans, drumming up the rumor mill and eager enthusiast excitement. Pictures of the Type R taking on the Nurburgring during various speed tests had fans up in arms, and that was before it set a new record around the famed track.
| Specifications | |
| Price(as tested) | est $ 35,000 |
| Engine | 2.0-liter DOHC inline-4 turbo |
| Power | 280 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| Torque | 275 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm |
| Transmission | Close-Ratio 6-Speed Manual |
| Overall Length | 171 in. |
| Overall Width | 71 in. |
| Overall Height | 57.0 in. |
| Wheelbase | 104 in |
| Curb weight | 3200 lb. |
The specifications then look about the same as they did when first announced back in August of 2013, but we’ve learned a few things since then. The checkmarks that most Honda fans are correctly listed off and in the new Civic Type R, from the turbocharged 2.0L Earth Dreams i-VTEC engine to the high revving redline.
The Earth Dreams i-VTEC engine has been thoroughly praised by racers who have seat time behind the much anticipated powerplant, including WTCC race car driver Gabriele Tarquini. We’ve got some footage of his review below and it’s certainly got us excited.
This is very exciting news for any sport compact fan, but the real question is, will we get it here in the States?
What we didn’t know was that the new Type R would utilize a Honda based adaptive damper system, much like the one used in the modern Corvette.
While Honda is still being coy about the final horsepower numbers, stating that it’s “more than 276 hp” we do know the Earth Dreams engine has a redline of 7000 rpm and a six speed gearbox.
The new Civic Type R will also feature a “+R” mode which will be the “Sport” equivalent, raising vehicle responsiveness and power accordingly. The new adaptive suspension promises to be interesting for many track bound owners of the sporty hatchback.
Some things are also sure to change from now and the final production model, in typical Honda style. From the oversized wing or many front aero ducts, Honda is sure to trim things down before release.
It’s still in the early in production, but it’s slated to hit showroom floors in the early parts of 2015. There’s still no word of any plans to bring the hot hatchback to the States, but we can always hope and vote. The good news however is that the Earth Dreams engine platform will be accessible no matter what the situation. The new turbocharged engine lineup could also find it’s way into many different Honda platforms from the Accord and CR-V chassis.
If you’d like to see the Civic Type R come stateside, take a moment now and help us vote to bring our issue to Honda. If you would love to see the new Civic here in the US as much as we would, vote now!
The 2014 Paris Auto Show promises more information and details about Honda’s newest hatchback, so stay tuned for further developments.