Honda fans protest as 2015 Civic Type- R Concept bipasses North America

While we know that Type- R production was halted in 2010 due to emission standard constraints, Honda engineering tackled the problem with the development of a high compression turbocharged 2.0 liter. Europe will take delivery on the latest Civic Type-R, midyear 2014.

The “R” is for race and Honda engineering and development describes the Civic Type-R as a “ race car for the street.” Unfortunately for North America, Honda’s largest automotive market with 1.4 million cars and light trucks sold in 2013, will most likely never witness a dealership delivery of a 2015 Type-R.

Much has been written about the car since Honda Motor Company’s promise to return the much revered Civic Type-R to production. As reported by Torque News in November, the development of the “ Earth Dreams” 2.0 Liter turbocharged I.D. VTEC 4 cylinder engine has paved the way to the presentation of a Civic Type-R Concept at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show.

We find it interesting that Honda has released a new conceptual drawing for a vehicle that’s been viewed testing in time trials. While the drawing pictured at the top of this article is not identical to the flat black “Earth Dreams” Type-R lapping Nurburgring, they’re very similar. None the less we like the concept drawing.

Back in November 2013, we predicted that the turbocharged and inter-cooled, variable timed, cylinder controlled 2 liter would be the performance force to reckoned with in 2015. This is also the year that we predict that the engine will show up in North American production models.

As to the possible release date of a North American Civic Type-R, pure speculation.

Outside of the world of independent metric “tuners” the hottest cars that American Honda Motors offer is the Civic Si Sedan or Coupe and the CR Z Sport Hybrid. Yes, you can add body, suspension components and upgrades via Honda Race Development and HPD, but you won’t reach the performance and handling characteristics of the European specification Civic Type-R. You won’t have 19 inch Brembo brakes and pending world record lap time performance.

Claiming 280 + bhp and weighing in at a mere 2700 lbs fully fueled, Honda has designed a giant killer ready to compete in a very crowded European and Asian sports and performance car sector. Early estimates of the retail cost of this Porsche and Corvette killer approaches $40,000 U.S.. This would put the car in direct competition with Acura,BMW, Nissan and the Subaru WRX.

We, like others, will keep a close eye on the Type R with fingers crossed. Hopefully 2016 will find a Civic Type-R available for serious driving enthusiasts in North America.