By: IOL Motoring
Geneva Motor Show - Leading the Honda charge at the 2014 Geneva motor show is the Honda Civic Type R Concept, showing the design direction for the new Type R production version, slated for release in Europe in 2015.
Described by the design team as a 'the most extreme Type R yet' and 'a racing car for the road, rather than a high-performance version of a road car', it's been styled mostly by the stopwatch on the notorious Nordschleife at the Nnurburgring. The shape and angle of the spoiler, for instance, were decided as direct response to information gained through track testing.
COLD AIR IN, HOT AIR OUT
The upper and lower grilles have been enlarged to let more air in, and new bonnet vents let it out. The fenders have been flared to accommodate 20” tyres and the air outlet at the rear of the car have been integrated to smooth the airflow off the body.
Without giving away further performance details, Honda has confirmed that the new Type R will be the first Honda in Europe with a VTec Turbo engine - a two-litre direct-injection four that will not only be Euro 6 compliant but also deliver at least 206kW.
Jesse Adams, of our sister publication Star Motoring, drove the Prototype in Japan last year CLICK HERE to see what he thought of it.
Also featured on the Honda stand are the powertrain layout of the new NSX coupé, scheduled for release in 2015, and the next-generation Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Concept, the production version of which will be on sale in Europe from early 2016.