Civic Type R to Tone Its Looks Down Upon Return to the Streets
Though still ready to dominate the track, next-gen Type R to take its looks from the more stealth Accord to keep wannabes, police away.
The Civic Type R attracts all sorts of attention. It’s certainly had the eyes of U.S. Honda fans for years before finally arriving back in 2017. And why wouldn’t it? After all, it’s Honda’s reliability tied to an iconic name, multiplied by performance for days! It even logged a record ‘Ring time for front-wheel drive cars, plus tons more from Silverstone and Mount Panorama to Spa and Suzuka.
With great attention comes great responsibility, though. Too many wannabe street fighters, track-day bros, and the police all have their eyes on the hot hatch. Even some Type R fans aren’t that thrilled with the ultra-aggressive, ultra-loud appearance. Thus, according to Car and Driver, the next one will tone down the looks while retaining the performance.
As revealed recently, the 11th-gen Civic prototype takes its looks from its bigger sibling, the Accord. Thus, it’s expected the Type R will follow in the same vein. According to AutoExpress, spy photos hint the next hot hatch will jettison the many fake vents of the current model in exchange for more appealing lines. The large rear wing and center tri-exhaust tip cluster will still be in play, as will the deep front splitter.
One aspect that’ll remain the same? A turbo-four with nothing more than premium to provide power, and a six-speed manual transmission to control it all. Though the upcoming Civic will include a hybrid option, a rumored all-wheel drive hybrid Type R isn’t in the cards at this time, per Car and Driver
The new Type R will also be the first one built solely in Japan since the last EK9 Type R left the factory in 2000. The famed Swindon, England factory which built the EP3 through FK8 machines is due to close in July 2021. According to BBC News, the closure is due to changing global economics, and the need to electrify its European lineup.
No matter where the next Type R comes from, though, there’s one thing guaranteed to come out of this: less headaches at the stop light from everyone.
Photos: Honda
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