Honda does not rule out that its renewed sports compact ends up succumbing to electrification. The Japanese manufacturer leaves the door open for a hybrid version of the new Honda Civic Type R. A model that has just released gasoline and continues to avoid the use of electrified mechanics.
The coming-out of the new generation of the Honda Civic Type R has generated a lot of interest. And not only because of the fact that the interesting sports compact from Sling will have continuity in Europe. One of the determining issues of the renewed model is neither more nor less having avoided the use of an electrified mechanics. Considering the current times in the Old Continent and, above all, the roadmap established by the company itself, it is somewhat surprising.
Yes, it is true that the new Civic Type R has given up electrification. Now, if you want to stay alive on European soil, sooner or later you will succumb to electrification. Moreover, its own Honda has opened the door to a hybrid Civic Type R. But what real chance is there of seeing an electrified Civic Type R? We must start from the basis that, at a technical level, it is possible.
The future of the Honda Civic Type R and electrification
Ko Yamamoto, Technical Advisor for Honda Motor Europe, has bluntly assured that everything is possible in relation to the future of the Civic Type R and that we should not rule out electrification: «Everything is possible. I would not exclude electrification. We can’t do a pure electric powertrain on this platform, but I imagine it can take some level of plug-in hybrid.”
The high position of Honda has not confirmed that a hypothetical new generation of the Civic Type R will use this same platform. But the truth is that based on his words, we can rule out a 100% electric version in the short term. However, she has left open the door to a hybrid version (HEV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Both options are technically possible.
Considering that Honda has accelerated its transition to sustainable mobility in Europe, we should not be surprised if we are looking at the last non-electrified Civic Type R. The end of an era. Let us remember that the new model that has just been presented uses an improved version of the 2.0-liter VTEC Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. A block that develops more than 300 hp and is associated with a six-speed manual gearbox and a front-wheel drive system.
An all-wheel drive Honda Civic Type R is ruled out
At this point we can say that electrification is very likely for the future of the Civic Type R. On the contrary, what Yamamoto has ruled out is the development of an all-wheel drive variant. It is a totally closed debate: «We can do all-wheel drive, of course. This platform is also used for the four-wheel drive CR-V. However, I think the all-wheel drive doesn’t really cope with the principle of the Type R. It’s not even necessarily faster, but it’s heavier.”
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