In case you didn't notice it, the all-new 2015 Civic Type-R for the European, Japanese and possibly other markets around the world (aside, of course, from North America), which was revealed today in near production form having shed all of its camouflage and wearing a flat black coat, will come with Honda's newly developed VTEC Turbo engine.
The Civic Type R will actually be the first model in Europe to adopt one of Honda’s all-new VTEC TURBO engines*, sporting a displacement of 2.0-liters and an output of over 280-horses.
Honda is pretty serious about the performance credentials of the new Type R, with the brand's CEO Takanobu Ito stating that their goal is to beat the current record of the fastest lap for a regular production, front-wheel drive hatch on the Nürburgring, currently held by the 265hp Renault Megane 265 Trophy at 8:07.97.
If Honda succeeds in doing so, it may very well even top or at least approach the fastest time held by any production Honda model, the NSX-R at 7:56.73.
Besides the new engine, Honda has re-worked the Civic five-door hatchback's chassis components, from the suspension, to the wider tracks, electronic driver assist systems and the big-Brembo brakes residing behind the 19-inch wheels.
No need to tell you that Honda has paid extra attention to the car's aerodynamics and consequently, sporty looks with wheel arch extensions up front working together with the new front bumper, a massive rear wing and a rear diffuser flanked by twin pipes on either side.
This Civic not only looks the part, but according to Honda’s WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini, it acts the part as well.
"The car and the characteristics of the car were fantastic," said Tarquini. "I was really impressed by the power and the torque of the engine but also by the set-up they achieved…The car is very pointed on the front and very fast to change direction. This car is very close to my racing car and you can feel very well the DNA of Type R."
Nevertheless, let's be honest here; as Honda's official driver, one would expecting nothing less than a positive thumbs up from Tarquini, so we'll just wait and see how the Type R does in other hands as well.
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It was only a matter of time before Japan's car-making companies joined their European, American and Korean counterparts in developing turbocharged gasoline engines for their mainstream products.
On Monday night (Tuesday morning in Japan), Honda joined the force-fed bandwagon with the announcement of the released of a newly developed line of VTEC TURBO direct injection gasoline turbo engines, which include a 1.0-liter three-cylinder unit, and two four-cylinder mills with a displacement of 1.5-liters and 2.0-liters.
Honda stated the following about its new VTEC Turbo units: "With the application of variable valve motion technology such as Honda's unique VTEC along with direct injection turbocharging with highly-fluidized combustion and a thorough reduction in engine friction, this engine achieves class-leading output and environmental performance, while downsizing engine displacement."
The brand with the "H" logo said that the new range of turbocharged petrol engines will be used in its future global models "in accordance with characteristics of each model and needs of local customers", without divulging any further details.
However, we do know that the 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo, which will produce more than 280-horsepower in its most potent form, will be used in the new European market Civic Type R scheduled for a 2015 launch.
