Honda, please, enough! We’ve been teased with videos, titillated with photos, and fed various factual tidbits for what seems like forever. The end is in sight, with the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show, but Honda is still keen to tantalise us up until the big reveal.
Given how we were tormented with details and sneak peeks of the new NSX, we shouldn’t really be too surprised at Honda’s little games. The global PR team has done a fine job of building suspense and intrigue – along with securing over 100 deposits for the new car in the UK alone. Not bad for a car nobody has officially seen, let alone driven, yet.
The big news today is, of course, that headline top speed of 167 mph. Yes, that’s right, one-hundred and sixty-seven miles per hour. Faster than 155 mph limited German saloons; faster than the original NSX; and, most importantly, faster than any hot-hatch rival at present. Whilst people will trot out the “straight-line speed is meaningless” line, it proves just how much engineering effort has gone into the latest Type-R.
Honda has invested substantial time in the wind tunnel, to ensure the turbocharged VTEC engine can power the Type-R to that mad top speed. The underside of the car is almost completely flat, with a rear diffuser designed to suck the car to the road – rather than just look pretty like many do. It seems that substantial rear wing will also deliver real downforce, along with giving the car real visual menace. The front splitter and bumper have also been shaped to manage airflow – and try to keep things on the ground – especially around the front wheels. This cuts the aerodynamic drag that usually ends up limiting the top speed potential of front-engined hatchbacks, like the Type-R.
Thankfully, with such a high top-speed, there’s Brembo four-piston brake calipers grabbing 350 mm drilled discs on the front axle. These nestle behind new 19″ alloy wheels, designed to fill the enlarged wheel arches and accommodate those big brakes. Honda has also confirmed the show car will be painted Championship White – a classic Type-R colour.
The new Civic Type-R is setting up to be quite something. We’re sure those lucky 100 who placed their deposits are feeling quite smug with themselves tonight!
