Will the 2015 Honda Civic Type R Spawn the Next Generation Honda CRZ?

by  Viknesh Vijayenthiran of www.motorauthority.com

Honda is hard at work developing a new hot hatch with 276 horsepower derived from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four and directed to the front wheels only. The car is the latest version of the Civic Type R that the rest of the world enjoys, but as with the previous generation the new one will be skipping the U.S. market.

Part of the reason is due to our Civic being different to the one sold elsewhere. Furthermore, the Civic is seen as an econo car over here so Honda may be reluctant to launch a Civic-based model as its performance flagship locally.

But the U.S. is still Honda’s biggest market and the automaker will need some sportier models if it wants to rebuild its faded performance image and lure back buyers that may have opted for top models like the Ford Focus ST, Mazdaspeed 3, Volkswagen GTI and Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins.

That’s where a redesigned CR-Z, sharing a platform with the Civic Type R, fits in.

A source has revealed to Car Sales that Honda is keen to launch a redesigned CR-Z based on the bones of its 276-horsepower Civic Type R, should a second-generation CR-Z be approved for production. In fact, a prototype is alleged to have already been built.

The prototype version is said to feature a direct-injected and turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with the current CR-Z’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is also said to have replaced both the CVT and manual options of the current CR-Z. Peak output of this prototype is said to be around 221 horsepower, a significant leap over the current car’s paltry 130-horsepower rating.

Should production be approved, the car could be on sale within two years. Stay tuned for an update.

Source;
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1086960_will-the-2015-civic-type-r-spawn-the-next-cr-z

2015 Honda Civic Type R rendered

Confirmed with at least 280 HP

ATC Design has come up with a virtual styling for the highly anticipated 2015 Honda Civic Type R.
As you would imagine, the hot Civic hatchback was envisioned with a more aggressive body kit and a lowered suspension arrangement. It comes with large glossy black multi-spoke alloys, four tailpipes and has received a large wing at the back.

Powering the 2015 Civic Type R will be a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine which will provide a minimum of 280 HP (206 kW) sent to the front axle. Honda has big plans for the new Civic Type R as they want it to establish a new record on the Nürburgring for a front-wheel drive car.

The current record was set in 2011 by the Renault Megane RS Trophy which lapped the circuit in 8 minutes and 7.97 seconds. Honda Europe's president Manabu Nishimae mentioned during Frankfurt Motor Show last week they tested a prototype and was close to taking down the official record.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113091663009/2015-honda-civic-type-r-rendered

Honda confirms 2.0-liter turbo Civic Type-R with at least 280 HP

Due in 2015

As promised, Honda has released more details about the highly anticipated Civic Type-R which will be launched sometime in 2015. Its heart and soul will be a direct-injection, turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine which will produce at least 280 HP (206 kW).

Other details are limited at this moment but judging from the attached official pics and video we notice the range-topping Civic will have a quad exhaust setup and a rear wing. It also seems to be lower than the regular model and rides on larger alloys. Other upgrades will probably be in the steering and braking departments, together with an uprated gearbox and revised looks.

With two years of development still to go, Honda will pull out all the stops to make the new Civic Type R the fastest front-wheel drive car around the Nürburgring. Honda Europe president Manabu Nishimae said testing has already begun and the car was close to taking down the record. The objective is to beat the 8m 7.97s time achieved back in 2011 by the Renault Megane RS Trophy.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113091062754/honda-confirms-20-liter-turbo-civic-type-r-with-at-least

Autoevolution: First Video of 300 HP Honda Civic Type R [Video]

Thanks to the guys at TouriClips, we have yet another insightful and cool video from the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

This is the very first clip of the brand new, super hot, very exciting, awesomely cool, exciting as fudge Honda Civic Type R.

The new one is supposedly going to be a monster, as company bosses have allowed the minions who make the engine to push it all the way to 300 horsepower.

Other reports suggest this uber-hatch will have rear wheel steering, just like the Porsche 911 Turbo.

As you can see from this video, there's nothing understated about the new Type R. It's massively flared wheel arches.

It's four exhaust pipes. It's a big wing. It's an awesome Honda.

The only question is, considering there are other 300 horsepower hatches out there, how cheaply can Honda make theirs.

Yesterday, we saw that Honda was road-testing this car against the 280 hp Opel Astra OPC and the 350 hp Ford Focus RS500.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/first-video-of-300-hp-honda-civic-type-r-video-65000.html

Autoevolution: Spyshots: 2015 Honda Civic Type R Nurburgring Testing

In Japan, Honda is one of the most popular and biggest carmakers, but over in Europe it's a clear underdog. Ignoring the two strange hybrids that arena't selling so well, they only really have four cars to rely on, the Jazz, Civic, Accord and CR-V. Even Kia or Hyundai can boast a lineups that are bigger.

Honda thus needs something new, something distinctly European, something with heritage. They need this new Civic Type R.

The last one was a mixed bag o potatoes. With only 200 hp, it played second fiddle to the much more powerful turbo engines used by its competitors, meaning Honda payed the price for its reluctancy to deviate from VTEC technology and use turbos.

Early reports about the coming of a new Type R were not that encouraging, suggesting Honda wanted a rival for the Golf GTI, basically a civilized and economical car for the road.

But these latest spyshots prove the Japanese automaker is willing to bet big and bank on the experience it's gained from the World Touring Car Championship. The prototype covers the Nurburgring track well using its ground-hugging body kit. They've also installed huge fender flares onto the factory panels instead of changing them and slapped a large wing and quad exhaust on the back.

Honda Europe is the one responsible for the development of the car which means it will have nothing in common with the cheap-ish models offered in the US. "GB" license plates indicate this prototype was developed by British engineers. Last month, Honda announced it was building a motorsport facility in Milton Keynes as it plans to return to Formula One as a supplier in 2015.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news-g-image/spyshots-2015-honda-civic-type-r-nurburgring-testing/139578.html#sjmp

First Glimpse of the new Honda Civic Tourer

Honda has provided more information about the new Civic Tourer ahead of its official unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013.

The new Civic Tourer was developed and designed in Europe, allowing Honda’s European R&D team to lead the creative and technical design process. The sleek and sophisticated profile of the Civic Tourer does not compromise the car’s practicality. The Civic Tourer delivers exceptional versatility and functionality with class leading interior space of 624L (trunk volume with the rear seats up, measured up to the tonneau cover).

The Civic Tourer will feature either the1.6 i-DTEC engine from the Earth Dreams Technology series or the 1.8 i-VTEC engine in manual or automatic transmission.  A brand new Adaptive Damper System (ADS) will help to enhance stability and comfort under varying load and driving conditions.

The Civic Tourer will be built at Honda’s UK manufacturing facility and will be launched in Europe from early 2014.

Functionality & Form: No compromise on design or space

“I am very proud of the Civic Tourer’s sporty, sleek and dynamic proportions, which somewhat hide the car’s true functionality and versatility.  To achieve true utility on a compact car, you have to consider how to make the most of the space in the cabin, which generally also affects the design.  Due to the clever platform of the Civic, we had freedom to optimise the package.  The end result is a car that has almost a sports-car silhouette. For me, the strength of the car is the synergy of functionality, versatility, and dynamic expression.” Adrian Killham, Large Project Leader, Civic Tourer.

The exterior design of the Civic Tourer is sophisticated and sporty, its unique style is defined by a bold line that runs continuously from the front A-pillar to the D-pillar creating the impression of a floating roof line.
The development team for the Civic Tourer spent much time working on new ways to interpret this section of the car to deliver a feeling of premium value and character. The glass of the rear quarter window has been extended to cover the body work of the D-pillar and the rear door sash has been raised by 17mm compared to the Civic 5-door to enable this bold styling line and creating an elegant look.

“At first glance it is clear that the Civic Tourer does not look like other Wagons.  Recently-launched cars have tended to follow a similar style. The Civic Tourer has a different balance and appeal.”  Adrian Killham, Large Project Leader, Civic Tourer.

Behind this sophisticated and sporty design is a hidden versatility that leads to clever functionality and unrivalled practicality.

The Civic Tourer benefits from the same unique centre fuel tank layout used in the Civic 5-door. The fuel tank is located under the front seats allowing the Civic Tourer to offer unparalleled interior space and Honda’s magic seat configuration.

The Civic Tourer offers class leading interior space across both the C and D segments. The cargo area will accommodate 2 full-size mountain bikes or 3 large-sized Samsonite cases with the tonneau cover pulled over to conceal the cases.

·         624L* trunk volume (Rear seats up, up to window)
·         1668L* trunk volume (Rear seats down, up to roof lining)

There is a small compartment suitable for storing the tonneau cover so that it can be detached and stored out the way when it is not needed. 

Furthermore, there is additional under floor storage in the boot which makes carrying tall objects in the boot easy and the height of the loading lip has been reduced by 137mm* compared to the Civic 5-door to facilitate effortless loading.

Honda’s unique Magic Seats deliver further practicality and space within the Civic Tourer, enabling a range of seating configurations for maximum versatility.The rear seats assembly folds down in one easy movement, and the interior trunk floor of the Civic Tourer has been raised compared to the 5-door to create a completely flat area when the seats are folded down.

The rear seat cushions can also be flipped up to reveal ample floor space for carrying tall objects. A 60:40 split in the seat base offers even more options for carrying both people and cargo and provides an alternative load area if access via the tailgate is limited. 

Driving Performance: Advanced and Efficient Technology

The Civic Tourer will feature either the1.6 i-DTEC engine from the Earth Dreams Technology series or the 1.8 i-VTEC engine in manual or automatic transmission.

1.6 i-DTEC

The 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine was first applied to the Civic 5-door and subsequently to the new CR-V. The engine is the first of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series to be introduced in Europe.

The philosophy behind Earth Dreams Technology is to deliver an impressive balance between fuel economy and driving performance and this is certainly the case in the Civic Tourer.

The 1.6 i-DTEC engine is comprised of an aluminium cylinder head joined to an open deck aluminium block and is the lightest diesel engine in its class. The mechanical friction has been reduced to the level equivalent of a petrol engine. All the rotating parts have been carefully optimised to reduce their friction, helping to provide excellent fuel economy whilst making sure the new Civic Tourer is fun to drive.
The 1.6 i-DTEC engine was designed specifically for the European Market and is built at Honda’s UK Manufacturing plant (where the Civic Tourer will also be built).

Adaptive Damper System (ADS)

The Civic Tourer also features an innovative Adaptive Damper System. This is the first time that a rear adaptive damper system has been introduced on a production car and it features three settings - comfort, normal and dynamic - all of which have been developed to enhance stability and comfort under varying load and driving conditions. This allows the Civic Tourer to remain comfortable during highway cruising, yet firm and agile when high-performance handling is required.

“By introducing the technology in this format, we expect many customers will be able to experience the benefits of this advanced system.”  Adrian Killham, Large Project Leader.

Safety

As with all Honda cars, safety was at the forefront of the development team’s mind when designing the Civic Tourer, particularly the integration of advanced active safety systems. The Civic Tourer will deliver a high standard of safety for the driver, passengers, pedestrians and other road users in line with Honda’s philosophy of ‘Safety for Everyone’.

Comparison table (Civic 5-door/ Civic Tourer)

		CIVIC 5-DOOR	CIVIC TOURER
Dimensions (LxWxH)		4285/1770/1440	4520/1770/1440*
Volume	Luggage space (Seats up, up to window) Litres	477	624*
	Luggage Space  (Seats down, up to roof lining) Litres	1378	1668*
	Load height (mm)	702	565*

(*Honda internal figures)

Source;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/carnewsdetail/?id=3083

AutoExpress: Euro New Honda Civic Type-R will arrive in 2015

Honda CEO confirms that the new Civic Type-R is on track for a 2015 debut

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has confirmed that a new Civic Type-R will be unveiled in 2015, alongside a new fuel-cell electric vehicle. A compact SUV is also set to join the range in the near future.

The new Civic Type-R will be developed specifically for Europe and will incorporate developments learned from Honda’s experience in the World Touring Car Championship. Ito wants it to be the fastest front-wheel-drive car around the Nurburgring, which means it’ll have to beat the Megane 265 Trophy’s time of 8 min 7.9 seconds. Honda's UK MD Dave Hodgetts went on to tell Auto Express that the new Type R "will have at least 265bhp... the engineers' target is 300bhp though."

Hodgetts told us that the Civic Type-R will begin testing at the Nurburgring in the autumn of 2013, with production set to begin in Swindon ready for an on-sale date some time in 2015. He explained that the handling and throttle response were being developed using lessons learned from Honda's WTCC entry. Hodgetts wouldn't draw on whether the production Type-R would get the same 1.6-litre turbo as the WTCC car but said: "it's possible, but then anything up to a 2.0-litre turbo is possible."

The new Civic Type-R will be one of the first of a number of performance models that Honda is looking to produce as a backbone to its whole range. "We want a range that is genuinely perceived to be sporty, but with a range of practical models sitting underneath,” said Hodgetts.

One of these more practical cars is a compact SUV, expected to be a Nissan Juke rival based on the next-generation Jazz platform. Hodgetts and Ito both confirmed that a Civic-based SUV-MPV crossover with similar styling to the 2009 Skydeck concept was also under consideration.

As well as confirming a new hydrogen-powered vehicle will be on the roads during 2015 (possibly a successor to the FCX Clarity) Honda revealed it is working on hybrid systems with one, two or three electric motors. The technology will be used throughout Honda's future range, allowing for everything from a 100mpg-plus Jazz to a plug-in hybrid four-wheel-drive NSX supercar. These use the one and the three motor systems respectively, and we were told that the two-motor system is reserved for mid-sized vehicles.

All of the developments mentioned are part of Honda’s push to increase its market by 60 per cent worldwide from 23.9 million customers to 39 million by 2017.

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/honda/civic/60362/new-honda-civic-type-r-will-arrive-2015

Honda confirms Civic engine upgrade

by Hans Greimel of www.autonews.com

TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co.'s top executive for North America says Americans still favor small cars and good fuel economy, despite a recent boom in pickups that has fueled Detroit 3 market share gains.

To match that demand, Honda will deploy one of its Earth Dreams direct-injection gasoline engines in its Civic small car, confirmed Tetsuo Iwamura, executive vice president and regional director for the company's biggest market.

"Gasoline prices are stabilizing in the mid-$3-a-gallon range, and Detroit is selling quite a few pickups," Iwamura said. "Yet while the average person sees those numbers, their income hasn't risen that much. It's wrong to say Americans don't care about fuel economy. They care."

Honda, bringing out a redesigned Fit small car in Japan this fall, eventually will upgrade its Civic compact sedan with Earth Dreams technology to deliver better fuel economy, Iwamura said.

The Earth Dreams suite of technologies, unveiled in November 2011, encompasses four new gasoline engines with direct injection and double-overhead cams, a turbocharged diesel engine, three redesigned continuously variable transmissions and three new gasoline-electric hybrid powertrains. 

But an Earth Dreams engine has yet to be installed in the bread-and-butter Civic. That car was freshened in a rush for the 2013 model year after its 2012 redesign was panned. It faces steeper competition this year from an overhauled and sportier Toyota Corolla.

Iwamura said the Earth Dreams upgrade for the Civic would come when the car is re-engineered or redesigned, not when it gets just a freshening. 

He declined to say when it will come. But Iwamura said cars are re-engineered typically every two years or so. That could put an engine swap on schedule for the 2015 model year.

"We'll be doing it for the Civic. The Civic has to evolve," Iwamura said. "But we have to consider what timing works best."


Source;
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130624/OEM05/306249967/honda-confirms-civic-engine-upgrade#axzz2X8r8CsUT

2015 Honda Civic Type R Will Have at Least 270 HP

Honda used to be the mac daddy of the hot hatch world a little over a decade ago. The 2000 Civic Typer R was so much fun on the track that it's still sought after by enthusiasts who believe in the power of the VTEC.

However, the previous generation Type R was a complete thumble, so much so that some European buyers imported Japanese-spec cars rather than buy the British built hatch.

Early reports about the next Civic Type R were less than encouraging, as Honda was willing to put a turbo on the 2-liter engine, but only wanted 210 or 220 hp in return.

Now though, it seems they are going to make a complete animal, something to keep the fans happy. Honda has officially announced it will soon begin testing the 2015 Civic Type R on the Nürburgring track, the home of all things that handle and go fast.

Not much else was revealed officially, though onda UK Managing Director Dave Hodgetts told Auto Express the 2015 Civic Type R will have at least 265 bhp (270 HP) but engineers are actually targeting as much as 300 HP.

Previous speculation said the Civic could come with a limited slip diff at the front and even rear wheel steering. Now that sounds like a fast hatch, let's hope we can still afford it. Our other big complaint is that they took so long until they started working on the car. By comparison, VW only had a few months' delay between the Golf VII and the GTI.

Source;
 http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2015-honda-civic-type-r-will-have-at-least-270-hp-56079.html