Honda Civic Type R OveRland busts out
Hardcore mud-plugging Civic Type R hot hatch surfaces - and it's road legalThe 228kW, 270km/h Honda Civic Type R just got a little tougher.
Meet the OveRland, which could be the world's first battle-ready Civic Type R rally car.
Revealed one year after the wild Honda Civic Type R pick-up broke cover, the new model makes SUVs look quaint by comparison.
Fitted with a four-inch lift kit the brawny Civic has an imposing look, amplified by massive BF Goodrich tyres (255/55) fitted to 18-inch alloy rims.
The suspension rig has been significantly bolstered to withstand considerable off-road punishment, with reworked transverse links and unique trailing arm mountings at the rear. The front end retains its Dual-Axis strut arrangement.
Based on the standard Civic Type R hot hatch that was until recently the Nurburgring FWD lap record holder – the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R has since clocked a quicker lap – the Honda rally car was built for Honda's UK arm by Ralph Hosier Engineering.
Other changes include several body work updates including a wide body kit, made up of thicker wheel wells and a wider front apron. It also has a wider track and a redesigned rear hatch to fit spare tyres.
There's a roof duct and a pair of vents added to the bonnet, a hint that perhaps more power will be forthcoming from the car's already potent 228kW/440Nm 2.0-litre turbo VTEC engine.
The gearbox and powertrain remain unchanged however, meaning the turbo-four drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual.
We've seen other rally-raid machines such as the Ford Focus RS X before, but these were flights of fantasy – the Civic Type R OveRland is firmly based in reality. And it's road legal!
Revealed by Honda UK at the annual SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) Test Day at Millbrook Proving Ground, the Civic Type R OveRland was also joined by a boosted version of the road car which hikes power and torque from 228kW/400Nm to an eye-watering 298kW/500Nm.
The power gains were achieved by way of an engine control unit (ECU) remap, plus a new intercooler and induction system and a Scorpion exhaust.
The chassis has also been given some love, with the fitment of adjustable anti-roll bars and rear camber arms, Eibach Pro performance spring and braided brake lines. New-look 19-inch alloy wheels are shod with high-performance Dunlop tyres.
The chassis has also been upgraded with goodies such as Eibach Pro performance springs, adjustable anti-roll bars and rear camber arms, stainless braided brake hoses and new 19-inch alloys wrapped in sticky Dunlops.
The man who runs Ralph Hosier Engineering, Ralph Hosier, said the standard Civic Type R is such a well-crafted machine that making changes to the vehicles wasn’t overly complicated.
"These two wildly different interpretations of the Civic Type R showcase the standard car’s attributes, but also reflect the advanced, sporty and playful nature of the entire Civic range."
The company says it would quite happily build customers cars based on these vehicles if the interest is there. Question is, if you take one or the other, which would you pick, the rally raid or tarmac rally Type R?
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