Paris

Honda Civic Type-R II: The Ultimate Type-R

by Frédérick Boucher-Gaulin
All photos
Photo: Jean-Charles Lajeunesse

If you ever needed another reason to want to move in Europe, here it is: Honda just unveiled a new version of its Civic Type-R Concept, which will be sold beginning next year (but not here, obviously).

According to Honda, this blue pocket-rocket is closer to a production version than the one that was presented at Geneva. It is still equipped with the same 2-litre turbocharged mill producing 276 horsepower (!), and it sends its power to the front wheels via a good old six-speed manual gearbox. To make sure that the car won’t torque-steer itself into the nearest ditch, Honda developed a new system named Steer Axis that uses the front suspension. The car also features adaptive dampers, and an R+ driving mode. Activated via a button on the steering wheel, it sharpens throttle response, gives the engine a different mapping to generate more torque and firms up the suspension. Honda points out that this new Civic is now the fastest Type-R car, beating the Integra, the Accord and even the (admittedly 19 year-old) NSX.

We will be able to marvel at the Civic Type-R at the Paris Auto Show.

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