Honda has confirmed a few more details about the next-generation Civic Type-R, and the newcomer will have up to 300bhp in an effort to secure the front-wheel-drive Nurburgring lap record.
The manufacturer is keen to topple the Renaultsport Megane 265, and its UK MD, Dave Hodgetts confirmed “it will have at least 265hp… the engineers’ target is 300hp, though”.
The Type-R will begin testing at the Nurburgring in the autumn, with production set to begin in Swindon ready for an on-sale date some time in 2015.
Honda is using its experience in the World Touring Car Championship to develop things like throttle response and handling for the new Civic Type-R but revealed it may not get the same 1.6-litre turbo engine. Anything up to a 2.0-litre turbo is possible.
The new Civic Type-R will be one of the first of a number of performance models that Honda is looking to produce as a backbone to its whole range. “We want a range that is genuinely perceived to be sporty, but with a range of practical models sitting underneath,” said Hodgetts.
This points the way for a range of sports cars following the NSX supercar, which is due for a 2015 release.
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