Honda confirms new Civic Type-R for 2015

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito made the announcement during a future product strategy briefing, where he also confirmed a new compact SUV, three new hybrid technologies and a new fuel cell electric vehicle.

The new Civic Type-R is the news enthusiasts have been waiting for, though. It wasn’t clear whether Honda would produce another version of its acclaimed British-built hot hatch, so Ito-san’s announcement will be greeted warmly by Honda fans.

Honda says the new Civic Type-R will be developed specifically for the European market. It will probably use a road-going version of the 1.6-litre turbo engine currently being developed for Honda’s new WTCC World Touring Car. This will first take to the track next month at the Suzuka WTCC race.

Power figures for the all-new engine have not yet been discussed, but Honda’s aims sound ambitious: it’s stated it wants to become “the fastest front-wheel drive vehicle on the Nurburgring race course”.

The old Civic Type-R was eventually phased out because it could not meet modern legislation on exhaust gas emissions. That’s why Honda’s had to develop an all-new engine – but does it spell the end for the brand’s famous high-revving performance VTEC engines?

Meanwhile, Honda’s now-confirmed new compact SUV will take on models such as the Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Mokka. It could be derived from the Jazz platform and, thus, could also be built at the firm’s Swindon plant in the UK.

The firm also has ambitions hybrid vehicle plans. It wants to launch the world’s most economical one-motor hybrid machine, and is also developing a two-motor hybrid system for mid-size vehicles and a high performance three-motor hybrid setup for sports cars including the new Honda NSX.

Honda’s next-generation fuel cell vehicle will also come to Europe in 2015.

The new models are part of plans to increase Honda’s global customer base by a massive 60%, from 23.9 million to 39 million. This needs an ambitious product strategy and these new cars will play a key role in it.

Honda will also launch a super sports motorcycle, derived from its mighty MotoGP models. This will help it compete with the incredible BMW S1000RR.