Honda Civic Type R
Next-gen hot hatch to be hybrid
The next-generation Honda Civic Type R will get a hybrid powertrain as part of the car maker’s accelerated electrification plans announced at Geneva.
Due from 2021, the next Civic Type R hot hatch is expected to adopt a similar set-up to the NSX supercar’s hybrid system rather than use a fully electric powertrain.
The NSX’S hybrid powertrain combines a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with three electric motors for a system output of 573bhp. The hatch is likely to use a 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motors to undercut the current car’s 0-62mph time of 5.8sec.
The move is part of a new electrification strategy, announced at the Geneva motor show, in which Honda wants to make its European line-up completely electrified by 2025. This supersedes the original plan to have two-thirds of its range electrified by then.
Tom Gardner, Honda Europe boss, said: “Since we made that first pledge in March 2017, the shift towards electrification has gathered pace considerably. Environmental challenges continue to drive demand for cleaner mobility. Technology marches on unrelenting and people are starting to shift their view of the car itself.”
The announcement ties in with Honda’s recent revelation that it will shut its Swindon plant in 2021, a move explained by Honda’s “commitment to electrified cars”. It said at the time that it would revise manufacturing locations to areas where volume is expected to be high – most likely China and Japan.
The announcement tallied with the public debut of the e prototype (see story below).
It will be the first all-electric model for Honda in Europe and sit alongside the CR-V hybrid as the only two mainstream models in the maker’s electrified line-up. A hybrid Jazz is due next and will be followed by the Civic in 2021.