Paris Motor Show: 2017 Honda Civic Type R prototype unveiled

Honda previews the fifth-gen Civic Type R at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Production likely to commence in the second half of 2017.

Honda has taken the covers off the prototype version of the Civic Type R at the ongoing Paris Motor Show. Set to make its global debut sometime in 2017, the new Type R is based on the current, or fifth-gen, Honda Civic hatchback. When launched, it will go on sale in markets of Japan, Europe and US in the initial phase.

Specifications or technical details of the new Type R have not been revealed as yet. But, given the fact that the fourth-gen Type R was only launched over a year ago, expect the new model to feature the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol that powered its predecessor. Power/Torque may increase from 306bhp/400Nm to around 350bhp/450Nm. Honda may also choose to continue with the six-speed manual gearbox of the fourth-gen Type R while drive will continue to go to front wheels.

Now the main improvement over the outgoing model is perhaps the styling. Instead of the fussy and busy lines of the previous model, the new one looks quite subtle – albeit only relatively. That’s because it’s still got some pretty intense details such as a large rear wing, extra wide front and rear bumper, large air intakes, carbon fibre splitter, air-scoop on the bonnet, smoked LED headlamps, carbon fibre side skirts, flared wheel arches, 20-inch black alloy wheels, etc. And of course, the whole car has red accents on the bodywork, representing its racy origins.

The new Honda Civic Type R will be built at the company’s manufacturing base at Swindon in the UK, from where it will be shipped out to other markets.

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