Could Honda really be kicking a new performance renaissance? The 2016 Acura NSX and this car, the new 2016 Honda Civic Type R, have me hoping that's the case. Before its official debut tomorrow at the Geneva Motor Show, here's more of the hatch that Honda is calling their most extreme Type R model ever.
The production version of the new Type R leaked early in this Polish print advertisement for the revised European Civic range. (Side note: Damn, their Civic is cooler than ours. That Touring? Do want.)
As production cars tend to be, it's a little less radical than the concept version, pictured below. The front bumper and headlamps are a little different, and the front air diffuser has been toned down a bit. Still, it's a good-looking hot hatch, and one that seems worthy of the Type R name.
Full specs haven't been released, but we expect about 280 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbocharged i-VTEC engine that drives the front wheels. Honda is aiming for the car to be the fastest front driver around the Nürburgring yet. Other features include four-point adaptive dampers, torque mapping, and of course, a six-speed manual gearbox.
You can see additional production pics over at World Car Fans. Expect more of the new Civic Type R as the Geneva show approaches. I'm excited about this car, and I think Honda needs to sell it in America. If Ford is willing to bring over the Euro-built Focus RS, why can't Honda?
Hat tip to Carscoops