Photo: CarPix
The new Civic Typer R is without a doubt a hotly anticipated new car from Honda. However, we've known for quite some time that the Japanese automaker is working on the facelift for the regular Civic, the European hatchback model, not the American model. These are the very first photos of that car, spotted wearing British number plates and a light layer of camouflage.
As you can see, a lot is going on with that front bumper. Large side air intakes with a blade-like bottom edge makes the Civic look a bit like a German performance car, maybe a BMW M. The upper grille also brand new, larger and seemingly inspired by the Type R.
Round the back, Honda is changing the graphics for the high-mounted taillights and adding LED accents. The look of the aero lower bumper is sportier, thanks to a small diffuser. No exhaust pipes are visible, so we're not looking at the Civic Type S, but new engines are possible.
Last year, Honda announced two small small turbo VTEC engines, a 1-liter 3-cylinder and a 1.5-liter four. Downsizing is key to staying competitive in the European market. The existing 1.8-liter VTEC currently offered with the Civic could be replaced by the 1.5 turbo, which should thus deliver a matching output of about 150 hp
As for the 1-liter VTEC turbo, most engines of this type deliver between 90 and 120 hp. We expect Honda's version to be the same, though we can't confirm it's going into the Civic.
Another possible direction for the Civic powertrains is hybrid. Honda is killing off both the Insight 5-door hatch and the CR-Z, leaving the brand without a hybrid. However, because of the low sales volumes it's experiencing, the automaker looks unlikely to invest in such complicated tech.
Back in March 2014, Honda UK said that more than 300 jobs are under threat at their factory in Swindon due to production cuts. "The truth is that there is simply no pick up in the incomes of Honda's customers, either here or in the Eurozone. People are not confident and do not have the cash to spend. That is something which must give the Government serious cause for concern," said Tony Murphy, national officer of the Honda Unite union.
Round the back, Honda is changing the graphics for the high-mounted taillights and adding LED accents. The look of the aero lower bumper is sportier, thanks to a small diffuser. No exhaust pipes are visible, so we're not looking at the Civic Type S, but new engines are possible.
Last year, Honda announced two small small turbo VTEC engines, a 1-liter 3-cylinder and a 1.5-liter four. Downsizing is key to staying competitive in the European market. The existing 1.8-liter VTEC currently offered with the Civic could be replaced by the 1.5 turbo, which should thus deliver a matching output of about 150 hp
As for the 1-liter VTEC turbo, most engines of this type deliver between 90 and 120 hp. We expect Honda's version to be the same, though we can't confirm it's going into the Civic.
Another possible direction for the Civic powertrains is hybrid. Honda is killing off both the Insight 5-door hatch and the CR-Z, leaving the brand without a hybrid. However, because of the low sales volumes it's experiencing, the automaker looks unlikely to invest in such complicated tech.
Back in March 2014, Honda UK said that more than 300 jobs are under threat at their factory in Swindon due to production cuts. "The truth is that there is simply no pick up in the incomes of Honda's customers, either here or in the Eurozone. People are not confident and do not have the cash to spend. That is something which must give the Government serious cause for concern," said Tony Murphy, national officer of the Honda Unite union.
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