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Honda Is Cooking Up a Spicier Version of Its Enthusiast Favorite

There’s an even faster and more extreme Civic Type R in the works.

Rear view of a red Honda Civic Type R with a prominent black rear spoiler and taillight details.Honda
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By Chris Chin

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Honda is apparently preparing an even faster and more extreme Civic Type R. Japan’s domestic car publication, BestCar, reports that the automaker is moving its Civic Type R HRC Concept into production.

Honda revealed the Civic Type R HRC Concept in December during the Tokyo Auto Salon. Originally thought to be a showcase of Honda Racing Corporation’s new line of OEM accessories, the concept was actually a hint at a new production model. That being a harder-edged CTR.

Just when you thought a normal Civic Type R was fast enough

Honda Civic Type R with red and blue geometric camouflage wrap and black wheels in a dark room.
Honda teased a potentially more extreme Civic Type R with the HRC Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Honda

According to BestCar, Honda received a lot more positive feedback about the CTR HRC Concept than expected. Because of this, executives made the decision to move the model into the production preparation stages, which means that an even faster and more intense variant is likely on the way.

This sort of change isn’t surprising. Automakers tend to use the spotlight and attention brewed by auto shows to pitch concepts and ideas. While some are just for show, automakers also use the opportunity to gauge feedback about potential plans.

Rear-side view of a Honda hatchback with a red and blue geometric racing wrap and black wheels in an indoor showroom.
Originally thought as an OEM parts and accessories showcase, the Civic Type R HRC Concept actually previewed a potential new variant.
Honda

Honda Racing Corporation’s Chairman, Koji Watanabe also said that the HRC Concept “development is proceeding with an eye toward future commercialization,” during the press conference.

In the accompanying press release, Honda described the Civic Type R as a development in “pursuit of ultimate pure sports performance,” with the model boasting tons of motorsports-derived technology.

Building the “ultimate genuine Type R”

Red and white Honda Civic Type R cars driving on a road with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
The already pretty fast Civic Type R is about to potentially get faster.
Honda

However, while Honda remains tight-lipped about specifics, we imagine the upgrades involve ones similar to other, more harder-edged performance variants of some already high-performing sports cars.

Thus, we’re expecting more aggressive track-tuned suspension, steering, chassis, brakes and aerodynamic body work. More power would obviously be the icing on the cake.

White Honda Type R hatchback with red racing stripes and black wheels in a dimly lit garage with red vertical lights.
Honda revealed the Civic Type R Ultimate Edition for Europe, where it’s ending production due to emissions compliance, but it’s still available elsewhere.
Honda

Speculation suggests Honda could used a street-adapted version of its motorsports engineered “HRC-K20C” turbo-four, along with other improvements to the cooling and exhaust system. On top of the aforementioned potential tweaks.

Regardless of the rumors, the Civic Type R’s chief engineering developer, who led the development of the current and previous models, reportedly confirmed the new HRC variant’s development as underway.

Projected cost of the new car? Somewhere around 10 million yen, or just under $65,000 at today’s conversion rates. That is, assuming America will get it.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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