Meet Honda’s 270kph Civic: Type R debuts at Geneva

This is a Honda Civic that can run at 270kph. Unabashedly calling it a “race car for the road,” Honda has revealed the Type R version of the Civic at Geneva. It’s the first to come with Honda’s new 2.0-liter VTEC turbo engine, the “most extreme and high-performing engine in the 22-year history” of the Type R brand.

The engine generates 310ps at 6500 rpm, with 400 Nm of torque at just 2500 rpm, and it has a 7000 rpm redline. This propels the Civic Type R to 100kph in 5.7 seconds, reportedly the fastest accelration for a front-wheel drive hatchback. The transmission is a proper six-speed manual, providing an “intimate, rewarding connection with the drivetrain.”

The Civic Type R certainly looks the part, from aggressive front fascia that carries the current Honda family look while adding a bit of menace—think CR-V on steriods. Then there’s the huge rear wing, which produces downforce without significantly adding to drag, and flat underside, which pushes and sucks the car onto the road. The car was developed using Honda’s motorsports facility in Japan, also the development site of its new turbo Formula One engine.

Civic Type R rides on 19-inch alloys shod with 235-35 series tires. Front brakes are 350mm discs with four-piston calipers, supplied by Brembo. An adaptive damper system allows for stabilty while cornering and braking, and a stable, flat ride. Honda says it is more comfortable while cruising. Torque steer is reduced using a new suspension geometry system. The rear suspension still uses a torsion beam.

The interior comes with sport seats trimmed in suede-like fabric with double red stitching, leather steering wheel, and machined aluminum gear shift knob. A button marked +R will sharpen the throttle response and steering feel, as well as stiffen the suspension.

Civic Type R will come with Honda’s full package of electronic safety features, including blind spot monitor, forward collision warning and auto braking system.

What’s the chance that such a beast will make it to the Philippines to compete with the just-launched Golf GTI? Don’t dream of that red H just yet, as past Type Rs have been limited to Japan and Europe. The price in the UK is the equivalent of P2 million.