With 305 hp, Honda’s Civic Type R is a tantalizing piece of forbidden fruit

By Stephen Edelstein March 3, 2015

Over the years, lots of formerly forbidden fruit has made its way from other markets to the U.S., but the Honda Civic Type R still eludes us.

Even European and Japanese buyers have had to wait five years for the new Civic Type R, which was unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

It looks like it was worth the wait, though. the new Civic Type R features the outrageous styling of Honda’s previous concepts, and an absurdly powerful engine.

The concepts’ flared fenders, ductwork, and quad exhaust tips are still there, but the rear spoiler with integrated taillights has been reshaped into a more production-feasible more.

It’s not just for show either.

The spoilers and diffuser, combined with a nearly flat underbody, help suck the Type R down onto the road.

Honda says the front bumper was shaped to inhibit air turbulence in the front wheel wells, while all of those grilles and the vents on the trailing edges of the front fenders help cool the engine and brakes.

Backing up all of that go-fast bodywork is Honda’s new 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo four-cylinder engine. It sends 305 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through a six-epeed manual transmission.

That will get the Civic Type R from 0 to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of 167 mph. Honda says a prototype also lapped the Nüburgring in seven minutes, 50 seconds.

Other upgrades include stiffer suspension, Brembo brakes, and an “R+” button, which activates sportier settings for the engine and electric power steering.

The Civic Type R goes on sale in Europe later this year, with U.K. pricing set at around 29,995 pounds. That’s about $46,000 at current exchange rates.

Honda still hasn’t confirmed the mother of all Civic for the U.S. and, admittedly, the hatchback body style used by the Type R isn’t available here.

However, the car’s VTEC Turbo engine will be built in Ohio, and will eventually find its way into a U.S.-market Honda of one form or another.

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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