Early this morning, Honda USA put out a tweet-sized press release about the forthcoming new-generation Honda Civic Type R entitled, “Next-Gen Civic Type R is Ready for Nürburgring Testing.” The brief statement pinpointed Honda’s place in the development process, as well as put a rough cap on the timeline. These are the first official full images we’ve seen of the Type R, and one of the most notable changes is the style of the wing.
“Development of the best-performing Honda Civic Type R ever continues,” the press release stated. “The all-new Civic Type R will be introduced in 2022.”
It’s exciting to receive an update on where Honda is at with the new Type R, considering we already know exactly what the new Civic hatchback looks like. Honda also included two photos of the Type R covered in a fairly revealing camouflage, and I think it looks quite promising.
This isn’t the type of camo job where the vehicle is draped in baggy fabric and looks like the Little Rascals trying to get a loan. This camo is displayed with a sick wrap, and I think it’d be epic if someone actually did a normal wrap of this wild design once the new Type R is released. Squint your eyes, and you’ll notice the camo features a bunch of old Civic silhouettes.
Design-wise, I like where the 2023 model is going. The rear wing is a nice size, and it has a slick new style. Whereas the outgoing model was two-tone with chunky posts, the new wing features metal posts to create a GT-style pedestal wing. Anybody who complained about the old wing getting in the way of the view (it didn’t) will be happy to see how slender this one is.
Furthermore, I dig the 10-spoke wheels, the cool tri-tip exhaust is designed opposite of the outgoing model (small, big, small rather than big, small, big), and it looks like there could be some sporty front bumper venting going on underneath its layer of ‘Magic Eye’ vinyl. If you look closely, you might see potential for oil temperature cooling and possibly ducting to the front brake calipers, which appear to be wearing red Brembo brakes like the old model.
New photos and videos of the camouflaged Type R in action on the Nürburgring should pop up soon and should help provide a bit more information about what’s under the skin. It shouldn’t sound too different from the outgoing generation, as it will likely use the same turbocharged K20C1 inline-four with a bump in power from its current stats of 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The new Type R will continue to be offered with a manual transmission, so that doesn’t change, but it will be interesting to find out what sort of new suspension work has been done to increase grip and balance.
Honda is quiet about any other details on the car, but it’s confirmed the new Type R will debut in 2022. Let’s hope the world’s current supply chain issues don’t push it back.
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