2013 Honda Civic Type R

Has the new Honda Civic Type R started testing? This mystery prototype was spotted near Honda’s engineering centre close to the Nurburgring circuit in Germany – and the vast rear wing suggests it’s no ordinary hatch.

The car also features modified front air intakes to allow extra cooling, although there don’t appear to be any other changes to the wheels, tyres, brakes or suspension, leading our spies to believe this could be the first prototype to test the Type R’s new engine.

Rather than follow the current trend for small-capacity turbocharged engines, Honda is expected to fit a naturally aspirated, high-revving i-VTEC with the same 2.0-litre capacity as the old hot Civic.

The next generation of 2013 Honda Civic Type R is speculated to be Honda’s first-ever turbo road car. Due to strict emissions regulations, the new Civic Type R will replace its 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine with a 2.0-litre turbo designed to comply with Euro V emissions regulations. Stop-start is also likely to be fitted too.

To be expected, we will be seeing the similar engine to be featured in Honda’s 2012 British Touring Car Championship challenger. The new 2013 Honda Civic Type R is estimated to churn out 210bhp, 0-100km/h in less than 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 240km/h.

Instead of 3-door, Honda will offer the car as a 5-door only. Prices are expected to start from around £23,000 in UK when it arrives in 2013.

Honda Civic SUV?

The Japanese based automaker is planning to release a Civic based SUV in the nearby future, and the model might be launched sometimes in 2013.

After the Germans will develop an Opel Corsa based SUV named the Mokka, the French will make the 2008 SUV based on the 208 hatchback, with the Americans already launching the Ford Ecosport and the success of the Nissan Juke urban crossover, SUVs based on hatchbacks are apparently the next “must” in the automotive industry. The latest car manufacturer to prepare itself for launching an SUV on a hatchback is Honda, and the model chosen as a “platform” for the upcoming crossover is none other than the popular Civic.

According to the guys over at autoexpress.co.uk, the Japanese based automaker Honda will launch a Civic based SUV sometimes in 2013. Even if the future model won’t have anything in common with the Opel Mokka, Peugeot 2008 or the Ford Ecosport, the principle is basically the same, take a hatchback, tweak its powertrain, lift its suspension, place an all-wheel drive system, modify its body and there you have it, a new model is born at a low production cost. Our source is also telling us that the Honda Civic SUV, which probably won’t have this name, will go against the Nissan Qashqai, but there’s no official word on this yet.

Honda Civic Type R with TURBO 2013

The next Honda Civic Type R will not only be the fastest version yet – it’s tipped to be Honda’s first-ever turbo road car. And our sources in Japan say tuning expert Mugen is already well underway with development.

The Type R has already achieved cult status in the UK – Europe’s biggest hot hatch market – thanks to its combination of a high-revving naturally aspirated engine and aggressive styling. But in order to meet emissions regulations, this latest model will tweak the formula slightly.

Instead of the previous 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, it will use a 2.0-litre turbo designed to comply with Euro V emissions regulations. A similar engine will feature in Honda’s 2012 British Touring Car Championship challenger.

Adding a turbo will give more torque lower in the rev range, so a higher gear can be used more often to boost efficiency. Stop-start is also likely to be fitted.

Honda will increase the Type R’s output – but not by much. A figure of 210bhp would allow a 0-62mph time of less than 6.5 seconds and a top speed approaching 150mph.

Based on the new Civic seen at last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Type R gets the standard car’s front grille, slim headlights and LED daytime running lights, although most of the bodywork will be uprated.

A front end with large mesh air intakes, a lower chin spoiler and chunky side skirts will boost the visual impact, while a rear diffuser and extended spoiler  aim to increase stability at high speeds. Also helping the car’s balance in corners is the standard Civic’s longer, wider chassis; this should also improve ride comfort and grip.