New Civic Type R hits the track!

We find ourselves a little hard for words when it comes to writing this piece. We've just received news that the development of the new Civic Type R by Honda has been hitting the track for further handling and performance testing. 

That in itself is not cause for speechlessness. However, in the press release I have in front of me it states the official power figure for the new Type R. Now the previous generation Type R, utilizing the VTEC engine system, packed a massive......198hp. This is barely enough to pull the skin of custard and other hot hatch manufacturers snorted with derision as their turbocharged models punched past the 250hp barrier. 

Their snorts may soon be silenced however. I'll just say it, the new Type R will have 280hp. Honda have done quite well in not only matching their rivals, but one-upping them too! That puts the Civic well and truly in the heavyweight division of hot hatches, with its key rivals being the Audi S3 and Focus RS. However it does look to be a big ole beast - making it likely to be a heavy old beast, can it shed its hp to weight ratio and fight the big fight? We'll soon see! One things for sure though - the Civic Type R just got interesting. 

Words: Andy Pilcher              Images: Honda UK