US Production Model 2017 Honda Civic Type R (Finally!) Debuts in Geneva
Those who have grown old and grey patiently waiting for an American version of the Honda Civic Type R were greeted with some good news this morning, as they ate their Early Bird breakfast of bran muffins and oatmeal. The long-anticipated production model of the 2017 Civic Type R, which is slated to go on sale in the US in late spring with a price tag in the mid-$30,000 range, finally debuted at the Geneva Motor Show.
In addition to looking pretty cool, the Honda hot hatch will boast a high performance 2.0-liter turbocharged 306-horsepower engine, upgraded body and chassis, and other track-ready performance components. The Type R’s American debut will come on April 12th, at the New York Auto Show.
“The fastest, most powerful Honda ever sold in America, the Type R caps off the incredible success story of our 10th generation Civic lineup,” said Honda exec Jeff Conrad. “We’re happy to inform our US enthusiasts that the long wait for the forbidden fruit of Honda Type R performance is nearly over!”
The UK-manufactured 5-door Type R hatchback will be powered by an Ohio-built 2.0-liter DOHC, direct-injected and turbocharged i-VTEC in-line 4-cylinder engine that yields 306 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. The turbo motor will be mated to a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission with rev matching capability and a new single-mass flywheel that reduces clutch inertia by 25%, compared to the European Type R.
Model-exclusive spring, damper, and bushing settings; a new Dual-Axis front suspension setup with aluminum lower arms and steering knuckles; a new four-wheel Adaptive Suspension System with three-chamber dampers; a retuned and adaptive dual-pinion electric power steering system with variable gear ratio; and a helical limited-slip front differential are among the improvements made to the chassis and body of the Type R. 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels and 245/30R 20 Continental ContiSportContact 6 performance tires have been mounted to the vehicle’s suspension. Brembo 4-pot aluminum calipers and 350mm (13.8-inch) cross-drilled rotors provide stopping power at the front, while the rear braking system features 305mm (12-inch) rotors.
The Type R’s body is 14% ultra-high strength steel, while lightweight components, such as the aluminum hood, bring down the overall weight. Three driving modes are available to 2017 Honda Civic Type R drivers: Comfort, Sport (default), and +R. Technology-wise, the Type R will come equipped with a 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen featuring Honda Navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, funneled through a 540-watt, 12-speaker audio system with standard SiriusXM 2.0, HD Radio, and Pandora compatibility.
The Type R will only be available in one, premium-contented Touring trim when it goes on sale this spring. More specific pricing information will be revealed closer to the car’s launch date.
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