Honda’s chief engineer for the Civic Type R says the Japanese firm is not yet “at the limit” of its front-driven hot hatch’s potential.
Project leader Hideki Kakinuma suggested to MotorTrend the Civic Type R’s front axle could handle even more oomph.
The recently facelifted model retains the automaker’s turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder engine, sending an unchanged 228 kW and 400 N.m to the front wheels via a six-speed manual for a claimed zero to 100 km/h time of 5,7 seconds.
“No, we are not at the limit,” Kakinuma told the publication.
“I personally believe that we can go beyond this level with a front-drive configuration. If I continue to work on Civic Type R, it will be to even further improve the performance,” he added.
MotorTrend speculated any power upgrades would come only with the next-generation version of the hot hatch, likely due late in 2022.
Honda recently took the wraps off its refreshed Civic Type R, complete with a Limited Edition model (dubbed the “most extreme” version of the hot hatch yet) and a Sport Line version, which employs a “stealthier look” by switching to a smaller rear spoiler.
