Joined
·
152 Posts

Auto Express got their hands on some exclusive pictures of the next-gen Type R before the hot hatch’s debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.
Type R fans were rejoicing when Honda announced last year that they will bringing the Civic Hatchback and its more powerful variant to North American shores. Now we have pictures of what the concept model will look like when it takes center stage at Paris.

As you can see, Honda went for a more mature and toned down look by removing the rear wing and replacing it with a more subtle spoiler. Although the spied Type R prototypes at the Nurburgring race track were sporting a rear wing, it will most likely not appear on the concept and productions model. Maybe an additional aero package for the 2017 Civic Type R will have the more prominent wing. Also changed in the back end was diffuser. From the looks of it, the diffuser is noticeably smaller if not outright missing from the renderings.

The front facia received an update to include the new Civic headlights and grille design. It actually looks a lot like the hatchback prototype we saw earlier this year at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show; similar air intakes, fog lights, grille proportions, etc.
Overall, we’ll see a body size increase since the new Type R is said to be around 30mm wider, 20mm lower and 130mm longer. Much will change but it’ll still retain the iconic Civic Type R design cues like the red detailing and badge, flared wheel arches, etc.

Sitting under the concept’s bonnet is a tuned turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and this engine will most likely make its way into the production model. Currently, the outgoing model can produce 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque but once tuned we can expect to see it make around an extra 34 ponies. This will increase the potential power output to 340 hp and boost the torque to 332 lb-ft (450Nm). Top speed could see an increase too as the current outgoing model is capped at 168mph. Paired with the newly tuned engine could be a six-speed manual transmission and they’ll probably have the Type R remain a front-wheel drive hot hatch.
For more information and confirmation from Honda, we’ll have to wait until the Paris Show that’s set to take place from October 1st to the 16th.