A Most Exotic Civic: Next-gen Honda Civic Type R Concept to Debut in Geneva

The annual Geneva auto show is known for attracting the lion’s share of exotic-car debuts, and Honda is bringing an exotic of its own to Geneva next month—no, we’re not talking about another Honda/Acura NSX variant, although the NSX will be there, too—but as exotic a Civic as ever has been: the Civic Type R concept.

Honda is describing the hopped-up hatchback as a “racing car for the road,” and while no powertrain details were provided along with this preview sketch, we learned a lot about the production version of the 2015 Civic Type R at last year’s Frankfurt auto show, including that it will have five doors and its 2.0-liter four-cylinder will be turbocharged for the first time. Two months later, we drove a Civic Type R prototype of the car with that new engine, and found it to be loud, but seriously fast, with about 300 horsepower and an indicated 7000-rpm redline on the tach. Transmissions will include a six-speed manual and, likely, a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.

From what we can glean from the sketch, the Civic Type R concept will be more wildly styled than the prototype we drove, sporting smooth wide-body fenders with trailing vents, Subaru WRX-like quad exhaust tips, impossibly huge wheels, and a ground-scraping suspension. It also shows a unique rear-end treatment with what appears to be LED taillamps lining the huge rear wing. We shall see if the production Civic R will look as special as the concept, or if it will more closely resemble the prototype, with its tacked-on fender extensions and curious vertical aero winglets beneath the high-set taillamps.

Regardless of how truly exotic the production version ends up, Honda has no plans to bring the Type R to the U.S., so alas, this sizzling Civic shall remain exotic, at least to us.



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I can't imagine the people over at Honda are sitting comfortable with Ford's focus and focus ST taking up such a huge market share. That's why I am surprised this will not come over to the states to try and gin up some excitement for a tired lineup. I think they are making a big mistake. I also don't get why you would exclude something like this from what I presume to be the world's largest tuner car market (by volume).

Either way, it's still wrong wheel drive for me. I'd be much happier to see a revitalized S2000.

 

As a former owner of an Integra Type-R (2000 #933) I'm excited to see this concept, but I think there are two major hurdles that have to happen before this is even a reality.

1. Full production
2. Exported to the US

Honda has been making Type-R versions of their other models for a few years, but thanks to tariffs and profit margins, we have only been lucky once.

The Integra Type-R was only imported in 1998, 2000 and 2001.

 

Don't forget 1997.
The DC2 ITR is the best front wheel drive performance car ever sent to the USA bar none!

 

True.

Total USDM ITR Production by Year
(numbers in parens are the previously accepted totals)
1997 320 (318) 320 CW (100%)
1998 1002 (1023) 1002 CW (100%)
2000 1355 (1347) 573 FBP (42%) 782 PY (58%)
2001 1173 (1157) 523 NBP (45%) 650 PY (55%)

I think it's often overlooked because it was such a small batch.

 

The Honda B series is one of my all time favorite engines. If Ford and others are adopting a "global vehicle" strategy so that all (or at least most) markets get the same car, I don't see why Honda can't do the same.

The question is really will anyone pay $30,000 or more for a Civic?

 

My friend wrestled with that very issue many years ago. He was big into the Honda "scene" and wanted to look into getting a new one to use as his family car. He couldn't believe it when he saw the price of $25,000.



I think it's an issue of marketing? Like, Toyota created the Scion brand to sell cars comparable to the older Civics (and to millennials). Maybe Honda has been slowly increasing the price and quality so they could introduce the FIT for a new audience while the people that purchased a cheap Civic way back when can (theoretically) afford a more expensive model that they're already familiar with because they now earn more money.

Just throwing out ideas.

 

I'll echo what golgo and the others said here. I'm thinking it's a matter of time but may take a while to hit the US. I'm not familiar with automotive marketing but I've worked in marketing in other industries and I'd imagine venturing into a new high-priced FWD market here yet is risky, but an opportunity. Lots of global brands need to prove their product in other markets first, generate excitement then launch in the US in a big way. This civic looks pretty wild so in a rebounding economy, with good style /performance, if done correctly it could be successful. With good marketing and a good product they can create the market for it. Could be interesting.

 

To bring this car to the US, Honda will have an uphill battle. If this was the early 2000s when Honda was on top of their game, they could bring it here and people would have gobbled them up. But alas, Honda has lost it's way and I'm not a fan of anything they have out right now. The Si was the last hope and they've managed to kill it with the "American's want more torque" 2.4L way of thinking.

 

Yeah, modern Honda is dead to me too. It's almost unbelievable how they could have ruled the import car aftermarket scene 15 years ago, and now be the most unexciting Japanese car brand by a mile.

 

Modern ANY car manufacturer nowadays. They all lost their ways with these new cars. For example, Japanese car makers had awesome cars back in the days. I mean hell, Toyota was supercharging their 4 cyl mr2s back in the 80s, turbocharging most of their line up, their TRD catalogue actually had PERFORMANCE parts, and it even had a 'how to', to modify your emission equipment for more power. Nissan had the twin turbo z, Honda had their type R line up and the NSX, Mitsubishi had a vr4 and the turbo dsms. A lot of the car makers were catering to enthusiasts, the cars had personality, now they are just full of silly features like buttons on your wheel because I assume some folks cant stretch their arm to reach the radio, are sterile to drive, have no personality, and they all resemble each other.

The only thing I like about new cars is the headlights. The bi-xenon and full LED headlamps on newer cars are cool. Rant over.

 

I really think strict federal emissions guidelines is the major reason for the decrease in available performance cars. Also, gearheads are a niche market share, you would go bankrupt trying to only cater to that group with such a narrow profit margin.

 

That's exactly what it is. bigger profits are in the hybrid and family cars.

 

I totally agree with what others are saying about Honda losing it's way during the past decade or so. I test drove a '08 Civic Si the other day and I couldn't believe how boring it was to drive.

 

with all said, i just want to see it in the US. it's only a matter of time before someone i know would buy one and ill get to drive it haha..... if it even makes it out here in the US. but yeah as Ian0611 said, i drove the newer Si's and they seem very boring to me too.