Goes on sale next year

Honda is gearing up for the launch of the 2015 Civic Type R by releasing a new teaser campaign that will attempt to build hype for the upcoming model.

While the video only shows the concept, Honda says the production model will have "bold and aggressive styling reflecting the strong performance characteristics for which the marque is renowned." Honda UK's Head of Marketing, Olivia Dunn, went on to say "The new Type R promises to be the most extreme yet, it's born from racing and it pushes the boundaries. This new campaign encompasses this spirit perfectly, with Disruption the ideal curtain raiser in setting the energy and adrenaline levels very high."

As we have previously reported, the Civic Type R will go on sale next year and Honda has already confirmed it will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that develops at least 280 HP (206 kW)

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11406247...reme-yet-video.

We head out to Belgium to see the new Honda Civic Type R concept car, and talk to the fans that Honda invited along to get a look at the car.

Our Croatian friend Luka C emailed us these two shots of what we believe could be the production version of the new 2015 Honda Civic Type R.

"Here are two pictures of new Honda Civic Type R!" said Luka. "[The] car was seen in the Croatian city of Rijeka while shooting promotional videos and photos".

It’s not a lot to go by, but comparing these pictures to the most recent Civic Type R Concept seen at this year's Geneva Motor Show, this sample appears to be missing the study's steroidal wheel arches and front and rear fender air slits, while keeping the massive rear wing and an altered version of the rear diffuser.

Obviously, we'll need to get a better and closer look at the car to be sure, but at a first glance, it does look like it may be the production version that will go on sale in Europe next year.

Honda has already confirmed that the new Type R will debut a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four VTEC engine with over 280-horses driving the front wheels.

The same "POW3 ROF" license-plated 2015 Honda Civic Type R that one of our readers saw in Croatia was also spotted in the neighboring country of Slovenia.

These new photos, courtesy of our Japanese car-loving friends at FarmofMinds, give us a better view of the car, including the front end.

The big question is whether the car we see here is the final production model or a development prototype, as it lacks the LED headlamps of the study, not to mention the bloated fenders, grounds kit and vented bumpers that made the concept look like it had just came out of a pit stop.

It still has that gigantic airplane wing at the rear with more LED lights than a Griswold Christmas, and the aggressive diffuser housing a pair of pipes on either corner.

Until we learn more about this tester, let us remind you that the production car expected next year will debut a new 2.0-liter turbo'd four from Honda churning out "more than 280hp", according to the Japanese firm's CEO.

Honda has refreshed its Civic hatchback and Tourer models in Europe, both cosmetically and technologically, while also adding a new Sport grade to the range.

The mid-life tonic gives both 2015 Civics a new pair of headlamps with integrated daytime running lights and a redesigned front bumper, while the hatchback further benefits from a restyled rear bumper, side skirts, rear spoiler and LED rear combination lamps.

Minor enhancements were made to the Civic's interior, with fresh designs for the seat fabrics, new door trims with chrome door handles and a control panel finished in a metallic black.

More importantly, Honda is introducing its new Android 4.0.4 –powered Connect in-car audio and information system with swipe and tap functionality for the seven-inch display screen.

A new automatic low-speed braking system called City- Brake Active (CTBA) is now standard across the range.

We'll forgive you for mistaking the blue model in the pictures for a milder Type R; it’s actually a new addition named Sports, which Honda says, comes with "visual links to forthcoming Type R".

Unfortunately, it all starts and stops with the cosmetic stuff as there are no changes under the hood with the Sport offered with the regular 120PS (118hp) 1.6-liter i-DTEC diesel and 142PS (140hp).

Even the visual features are limited to a new bumper that echoes the styling of the upcoming (and turbocharged) Civic Type R, a color-coded rear spoiler and unique 17-inch alloy wheels finished in black.

The 2015 Civic will debut at the Paris Auto Show.

With only a few days left for the 2014 Paris Motor Show, Honda has unveiled a renovated version of its Civic Type R Concept while also confirming fresh technical details.

As far as we can tell, nothing has changed on the (dramatic) styling front compared to the red Civic Type R Concept shown in Geneva this past March other than the new luminous blue paint job with white and red graphics.

The concept is believed to be very close to the production model that will go on sale in Europe next year. According to Honda, the all-new Civic Type R "has been developed and engineered for European driving tastes" and will be built at the brand's manufacturing plant in Swindon, UK.

And before you ask, Honda hasn't said if it will be offered in any other markets outside Europe.

Honda still won't confirm exactly how powerful the Type R's brand new 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC engine is, stating that it will produce "more than 280PS (276hp)" with a redline at 7,000 rpm.

The Japanese firm makes some bold claims about its new hot hatch saying that it "it will deliver unmatched performance compared to any previous Type R car" including the "iconic performance-oriented versions of the Integra, Accord and even the NSX".

Suehiro Hasshi, Large Project Leader for the Civic Type R at Honda R&D, commented: “Honda has had four Type R model derivatives – the Civic, Integra, Accord and NSX. The engine in this new Honda Civic Type R is unrivalled against all of them in terms of raw power, torque and engine response.”

Instead of going the semi-automated dual-clutch route like most other carmakers, Honda has chosen to link the turbocharged inline-four to a traditional short shifting six-speed manual gearbox in order to "maximise driving enjoyment". Given Honda's previous excellent record with stick shifts, we can't say we blame them.

"The manual transmission allows the drivers to select the gear they want, for example, down from fifth to third when approaching a corner," explains Hasshi. "The concept of the new Civic Type R is to be the complete driver’s car so this was the best option."

Honda will debut a new "+R" button on the Civic Type R. Located on the side of the steering wheel, it's said to recalibrate the engine response, steering and the new four-point Adaptive Damper System.

"In default standard mode, the Civic Type R is exceptionally agile, an everyday sports car with an enjoyable and fluid acceleration," said Hasshi .

"The ‘+R’ button brings out a more dynamic and athletic car for the driver, to set pulses racing. The difference in character is immense. The ‘+R’ mode is extreme; the car is ideal for track use and will be appreciated by the genuine sports-driving enthusiast," he explained.

Another new feature being introduced on the Type R is the 'steer axis', a mechanical system added to the front suspension that includes two supporting ‘kingpins’ to minimize torque steer under hard acceleration.