► 2015 Honda Civic Type R to top 167mph
► Extraordinary top end for a hot hatch
► But still no full pictures!
Honda has confirmed an extraordinary 167mph top speed (270kph) for 2015’s new Civic Type R, claiming the aerodynamic package lets it go faster than any other front-wheel drive hot hatch.
The Japanese claim unusually good high-speed stability and downforce thanks to a virtually flat underside, a ground-hugging rear diffuser and that monster rear wing already seen on the Civic Type R concepts.
All combine to squash the hot Honda into the road where most GTIs would be skittering around and running out of puff. It should be quite the autobahn-stormer this Civic…
So how powerful is the new 167mph Honda Civic Type R?
Ah details, details… no word yet on the total power output from the 2.0-litre VTEC turbocharged engine. But CAR understands maximum power is likely to top 300bhp, possibly by some margin judging by that top speed claim.
A first look inside the Civic’s cabin shows a rev counter redlined at 7000rpm, which should relieve doubters fearing that the arrival of turbochargers would stymie the Type R’s hitherto barmy top end. Still, we won’t know until we drive the hot hatch in summer 2015.
Happily, there are strong Brembo brakes to wipe off all that speed, visible in these teaser photos. Honda says 350mm drilled discs are used, grabbed by four-piston calipers.
What else do we know about the 2015 Type R?
A trio of pictures released today show some pretty serious-looking front spoilers and splitters, side skirts and 235/35 ZR19 Continental tyres wrapped around 10-spoke alloys.
The brakes, and 2.0-litre turbo four, all require some serious cooling, and Honda says that grilles, bumpers and wheelarches have all been sculpted accordingly to ease the exit of hot air. Just a shame they haven’t shown all these changes yet…
See the new Honda Civic Type R in its launch colour of Championship White at the 2015 Geneva motor show on 3 March. We’ll have the full photos and details the moment they’re released.