[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-hatch-cars\/honda-civic-type-r-prototype\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-hatch-cars\/honda-civic-type-r-prototype\/","headline":"Honda Civic Type R Prototype","name":"Honda Civic Type R Prototype","description":"The reveal of\u00a0the vastly redeveloped Civic\u00a0at the Paris Motor Show was overshadowed by the presence of a Type R prototype. The current Type R has only been on sale for around 12 months but the arrival of the more powerful, more affordable 345bhp Ford Focus RS has taken the wind out of its sails and left it looking a little inadequate. What a world we live in when a 305bhp hatchback isn\u2019t good enough. The Type R prototype has the […]","datePublished":"2016-10-06","dateModified":"2016-10-07","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/feature-8.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/feature-8.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-hatch-cars\/honda-civic-type-r-prototype\/","about":["HOT HATCH"],"wordCount":344,"keywords":["Ford Focus RS","Honda","honda civic","honda civic type r","hot hatch","Paris Motor Show","vw golf r"],"articleBody":"The reveal of\u00a0the vastly redeveloped Civic\u00a0at the Paris Motor Show was overshadowed by the presence of a Type R prototype.The current Type R has only been on sale for around 12 months but the arrival of the more powerful, more affordable 345bhp Ford Focus RS has taken the wind out of its sails and left it looking a little inadequate. What a world we live in when a 305bhp hatchback isn\u2019t good enough.The Type R prototype has the same low and wide proportions of the forthcoming standard Civic, but its styling is more muscular with tweaks to improve aerodynamics.For its Paris unveiling, the prototype\u2019s exterior was finished in a highly reflective, finely-grained brushed aluminium effect. Unlikely to be an option for the car-buying public but it looks cool as hell.A winged carbon fibre splitter and sporty red accent line breaks up the front bumper while slatted ducts add width. Carbon fibre skirts run along the side, bridging enlarged wheel arches while the 20-inch piano black alloy wheels are sprinkled with red accents.At the back, there are three (count \u2018em) functional tailpipes while a carbon fibre diffuser sits below the wider rear bumper.The most recent Type R made headlines for being the first to use turbochargers and ditch the naturally aspirated approach traditionally taken with previous efforts.Truth is that in the face of VW\u2019s Golf R and the then-impending Focus RS, it had no choice and although no details on the next Type R\u2019s engine have been made public, it seems unlikely that natural aspiration would make a return.However, you could bet your bed on the Civic coming back with more power than ever before. It will have to at least compete with the Focus RS\u2019 345bhp and 4.7 second 0-62mph sprint to stand a chance in the market.We\u2019ll find out how much of the Type R prototype makes it into the production model in the first half of 2017, before going on sale in the second half of the year."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Hot Hatch Cars","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/hot-hatch-cars\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Honda Civic Type R Prototype","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-hatch-cars\/honda-civic-type-r-prototype\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]