2015 Honda Civic Type R development continues

Honda has continued the development of the 2015 Civic Type R by racking up a few laps of its own Tochigi test track. Aside from that they’re not telling us much else. And that’s not really news anyway, is it.

We already know the car will be powered by a new 2.0 litre turbo pumping out more than 280PS (206kW). We already know they’ve been testing at the Nürburgring. In case we’ve forgotten they’ve wheeled out WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini to remind us (see video below).

What we do have is a selection of new images with no camouflage other than matte black paint. As you’d expect the Civic Type R has some extreme styling and overall it doesn’t look too bad. Aggressive and purposeful, let’s just hope for Honda’s sake that it’s got the balls to match its hype.

Remember, the Civic Type R isn’t due for release until 2015, so we’re going to be getting a lot more hype between now and then.

Latest Civic Type R development car takes to Tochigi test track

19 November 2013. Ahead of the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda has showcased the latest Civic Type R development car at its in-house test track in Tochigi, Japan. The currently camouflaged car is being put through its paces as part of an extensive testing process taking place in Europe and Japan, ahead of its much anticipated launch in 2015.

The Civic Type R will be the first model in Europe to have one of Honda’s all-new VTEC TURBO engines from Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology range. This 2 litre, direct injection, 4-cyclinder turbo engine is expected to have class-leading output in excess of 280PS and will be EURO 6 compliant.

Speaking during recent testing at the Nurburgring, Germany, Honda’s WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini, gave his first driving impressions ‘The car and the characteristics of the car were fantastic. I was really impressed by the power and the torque of the engine but also by the set-up they achieved…The car is very pointed on the front and very fast to change direction’. ‘This car is very close to my racing car and you can feel very well the DNA of Type R.’

To hear Gabriele Tarquini’s comments in full, please go to the following link – www.myjourneys.com/typer

Honda announces all-new VTEC turbo engine series

19 November 2013. Honda has announced the introduction of three all-new VTEC TURBO engines as part of its growing Earth Dreams Technology range. These new engines come in three capacities; 1 litre, 1.5 litre and 2 litre, and will deliver a dynamic performance, as well as class-leading output and fuel economy.

All three engines will be direct-injection petrol turbos, utilising variable valve motion technology such as Honda’s refined VTEC technology. Together with Honda’s 1.6 litre diesel engine and hybrid technology, these new turbo engines will be applied on a number of future global models, depending on local market requirements and vehicle characteristics.

Based on a completely new engine structure and utilising its newly developed turbo systems, Honda has downsized its engines and produced a highly efficient 1 litre direct-injection, 3-cyclinder turbo engine as well as a 1.5 litre direct injection, 4-cyclinder turbo engine. Both engines have low friction throughout and are able to achieve class-leading output and environmental performance.

The first VTEC TURBO set to come to Europe will be the high-output 2 litre, direct injection, 4-cyclinder turbo engine, which will appear in the forthcoming Civic Type R. A highly efficient and highly responsive engine, it will have an output in excess of 280ps and will be EURO 6 compliant.