Honda Civic Type R: Next-Generation Model Could be a 400 Hp Hybrid

Don’t attack the Honda Civic Type R yet, because being a hybrid isn’t a bad thing these days. Plus, you won’t mind some additional horses coming from a couple of electric motors, would you?

The current-generation Honda Civic Type R was launched amidst a heap of hype and it more or less lived up to the buzz. It has a Nurburgring lap record under its belt to begin with. Now, it looks like the successor which is expected to hit shores after 2021 will be kicking off debates and discussions much like the one you can buy right now. Autocar has a report up on their site, which hints at the next-generation model of the Honda Civic Type R being a hybrid.

Honda is quite vocal about its electrification plans and went on to state at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show that they aim to transform their entire European range to either hybrid or all-electric by 2025. So, it’s obvious that the new model of the Honda Civic Type R will have to take the same path.

Inspiration and technology will be drawn from the sophisticated Honda NSX hybrid system. While the Civic Type R may not need the firepower of the NSX revival, it could benefit from a bunch of electric motors which will go on to lend a hand to its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder petrol motor.

The current layout sees the 306 hp petrol engine powering the front wheels. Once the electric motors enter the scene, driving the rear wheels, the next-generation model will become the first all-wheel-drive Type R ever. What makes the inclusion of a couple of electric motors more exciting is the prospect of the total power output being north of 400 hp.

In a recap of some related news, the current Honda facility at Swindon will be shut down in 2022 and production will move to Japan as part of Honda’s scheme to consolidate manufacturing operations. Well, you may place some blame on Brexit as well for the company joining the exodus of carmakers who are either leaving the UK or scaling down production in the country.

Source: Autocar