After the release of the first images of the new five-door Honda Civic (for the European market), several photo-mounts tried to predict the appearance of the sportiest of them all: the Civic Type R . But now, no assemblies, we have the spy photos of the new Japanese hot hatch, caught in tests in southern Europe, in neighboring Spain.
And despite being covered in generous camouflage, we can immediately identify two elements that denounce it as a Type R, just like the current generation: the triple exhaust outlet positioned in the center (now with the central outlet being larger than the two that flank it) and the huge rear wing.
As this is the sportier version of the Japanese model, we can see that it is even wider compared to the other Civics, due to the more pronounced front and rear tracks.
Moreover, from what we can see in the images, brake discs “at the height” with red calipers, more pronounced side skirts and revised shocks, with larger air intakes that give them a more aggressive appearance.
Not one but two rear wings?
On the Honda Civic Type R that we know, the rear wing was one of the elements that generated the most attention, considered by many to be exaggerated, by others simply… suitable for the model in question. To meet the more discreet tastes of some, Honda even added a variant without the mega-rear wing in the hot hatch's latest update, with a more discreet spoiler in its place, which it called the Sport Line.
In the spy photos we had access to, we see two test prototypes, where you can see that the renowned mega-rear wing is not only for keeping, but it looks like there will be two variations of it. In one of the prototypes, we can see it equipped with the rear wing resting on more voluminous supports, as you can see below:
In this other prototype, we can see the rear wing — which seems to maintain the same profile — but rests on two much thinner and more elegant supports, even suggesting that it could be adjustable. However, common to both prototypes is the absence of vortex generators, positioned on top of the rear window, as in the current model.
The latest pure combustion Honda Civic Type R
On the European market, there are already several Honda models that are and will be equipped only with hybrid engines, such as the new Honda Jazz e:HEV, and the 11th generation Honda Civic.
The exception to the rule will be the next Honda Civic Type R. After rumors that this model could follow the hybrid route — even talking about an electrified rear axle, turning the hot hatch into a four-wheel drive "monster" — we can , now, “archive” them definitively.
The service station belongs to the Portuguese company Galp, but this photo was taken in Spain.
The future hot hatch of the Japanese brand, which should be launched in about a year, in 2022, will remain faithful, only and only, to combustion.
Thus, it is expected that this hot hatch will inherit from the Type R on sale the same 2.0 l block and four cylinders in line and turbocharged. It should have at least the same 320 hp as the current one, although some rumors say some additional horses.
But given the times we live in, the focus of Honda engineers seems to be more on increasing the efficiency and response of the engine, than adding horsepower and the truth is that the Civic Type R remains the most powerful of the hot hatch in Honda. front wheel drive. What will also remain from the current one is the “delicious” six-relation manual gearbox, indispensable in this model.