A new Honda Civic Type-R will be launched in 2013. A number of senior sources confirmed to Autocar that the hot hatch would make a return in the newly launched Civic hatchback.
Manabu Nishimae, president of Honda Motor Europe, admitted that “customers are keen to see sporty models and while we can’t deliver immediately we are going to develop and deliver those products.”
See our Honda Civic Type-R gallery
Expect the Civic Type-R to stick to its classic defining characteristics of a high-revving naturally aspirated petrol motor putting out over 200bhp and focusing on handling prowess rather than outright pace.
Yoshikazu Kigoshi, general manager for Honda research and design centre, described the new Type-R as having “special bumpers, wheels, spoilers and seats,” to set it apart from the standard car, as well as the usual firmer springs and more hardcore settings. It was also confirmed that Mugen would not be involved in the development of the Civic Type-R despite the tuning firm's hand in the new Mugen CR-Z that Honda has recently confirmed details and prices for.
The return of Type-R is yet another indication to come out of the Tokyo motor show that indicates how seriously the Japanese maker is now taking its performance cars. Sources even admitted that there was a possibility that more Type-R models could appear in the current range, but nothing is confirmed.
Read our full road test of a previous Honda Civic Type-R
However, while there is clearly a dedication to injecting more fun into the range, Kigoshi also claimed that there was very little chance of a new S2000 making an appearance any time soon due to the fact that it would be “difficult to justify the cost of making a rear-wheel drive car that would need its own platform.”
Vicky Parrott
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