Next-gen Honda Civic Type R outed

Leaked patent images of the next-generation Honda Civic from last week have informed renders of the new Civic Type R hot hatch.

Blending the new-look headlights into the hot hatch’s front end, the unofficial design gives the all-new Honda Civic Type R a wider, lower appearance. And the trademark bonnet scoop returns for active duty, naturally.

Published by the CivicXI forum, the next-generation Honda Civic Type R renders incorporate the longer-bodied look of the new 11th-generation Civic together with the smoother, more curvaceous roofline.

Slimmer tail-lights with the full-length LED bar are in evidence, while the exhaust pipe array has expanded from a trio to a quartet.

Many of the current Honda Civic Type R’s cosmetic flourishes have been retained, including the bold rear wing and flared wheel-arches, while the front bumper features larger central and lateral air intakes.

These would be necessary if speculation of a more potent powerplant eventuates, which will likely need improved cooling to cope with up to 298kW or 400hp to match the upcoming Subaru WRX STI – which will be the most powerful STI ever.

There are few concrete details on the next Honda Civic Type R, but the flagship model is expected to retain its front-drive, six-speed manual layout and gutsy 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.

There are strong suggestions Honda will use electrification to ramp power up from the current 228kW/400Nm combustion engine.

“People complained when we said the Type R would use a turbocharger, but now they appreciate the new possibilities this has provided,” said Honda’s project lead for the all-electric Honda e, Kohei Hitomi.

“We think it’d be quite easy to achieve Type R performance with a full EV right now, but Type R isn’t just about performance. It’s also about handling, operation and driveability. We don’t think it’s as simple as replacing that [turbo engine] with electric power,” said Hitomi, speaking to Pistonheads last year.

“We just need to find the best attributes that are relevant for the Type R, so as to enhance the experience without losing what makes a Type R.”

Another route to bigger power would be increased displacement, as seen on vehicles like the Ford Focus ST, which upgraded its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine to a 2.3-litre unit this year.

Whatever form the new Honda Civic Type R takes, you can be sure the Japanese brand will be shooting for hot hatch supremacy, with upgrades to the suspension, brakes and aerodynamics to ensure its next tilt at a Nurburgring lap record is successful.

The next-generation Honda Civic is expected to break cover early in 2021 but the Civic Type R has traditionally arrived a couple of years later – so we may not see this hot hatch until 2023.

Until then, the $70,000 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition should be enough to keep the faithful frothing – although only 20 of these lightweight machines will be coming to Australia.

And if you want one, you’ll have to enter a random lottery.