SPY PICS: Honda's next Civic Type R

Honda has given us some great hot-hatches and coupes over the years (DC2 Integra, anyone?), but the Japanese firm’s cupboard has been bare over the past couple of years.

The last hot Honda we received here was the UK-built, eighth-generation Civic Type R hatch, which had a zingy, free-revving engine, but a relatively low-tech torsion-beam rear axle.

The signs are better for the next-gen model (captured pounding around the Nurburgring in prototype form by Automedia lenses), which is due for launch in 2015.

Honda bosses have gone on record as saying they have the Renault Megane RS265 in their sights, as the French hot-hatch currently holds the lap record for front-wheel drive production cars with a sizzling lap of 8:7.97.

Although Type R models have traditionally relied on peaky VTEC power (the last Civic Type R cranked out 148kW at 7800rpm and 193Nm at 5600rpm), the next-gen go-faster Civic promises greater reserves of low- and mid-range torque thanks to a new 2.0-litre turbo engine.

According to company insiders, the new Civic Type R could belt out 220kW-plus, which would make it the most potent front-drive car in its segment.

Among the current crop on offer, the Opel Astra OPC kicks out 206kW (it’s a shame the brand is being discontinued here), the Megane RS265 serves up 195kW and the Ford Focus ST offers 184kW.

It’s believed the new Civic Type R benefits from much of the nous gained via the Civic that competes in the World Touring Car Championship.

The accompanying pics reveal a camouflaged test mule based on the five-door Civic, but the key points to note are the black 10-spoke rims (which look to be 19-inchers), with large brake discs and red calipers peeping through from behind.

Also note the aggressive front bumper/spoiler with its large central air intake, sidesill extensions and the single-plane wing perched on the rear decklid. Unusually for a four-cylinder car, the Civic Type R has a quartet of exhaust outlets.

One area where the last Civic Type R fell down badly was in its cheap, plasticky interior. This will obviously need to be remedied if the next-gen model is to make inroads against the likes of the VW Golf GTI/Golf R.

The new Civic Type R is being designed and developed in Europe, and it will once again be built at Honda’s UK plant in Swindon.

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