Honda ponders Civic Type R model with AWD
Variety of models aimed at maintaining sales volumes, project lead engineer says
If Honda’s engineers have their way, the all-new Civic Type R won’t be a one-trick pony.
Speaking with Automotive News, Civic Type R lead engineer Hideki Matsumoto says there’s a very real chance we may see more variants in the lineup, including a more hardcore version and a few others.
“We’re hoping that by gradually putting out more variants that we’ll be able to maintain a more stable sales volume,” he said.
While the standard Type R is certainly hot enough (and fast enough, with 305 horsepower on tap), the first probable variant would be a hotter Type R with even more power and performance enhancements. Also in the cards is a softer Type R that would focus “more on the grand-touring aspect,” according to Matsumoto.
He also suggested an all-wheeldrive Civic Type R could see the light of day. Initially, Matsumoto wanted the first U.S.-spec Type R to reflect its powerful, front-drive predecessors, but it seems he’s open to levelling the playing field with the Ford Focus RS, Subaru WRX STI and Volkswagen Golf R, all of which have AWD.