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Let's go crazier
No great leap of faith is called for to see why the next Civic Type-R will set us salivating, but a Type-RR?
Nostradamus-style powers of prophesy aren't really needed to imagine quite how enticing the next generation Civic Type-R could look, given the shape and detailing of the car that it'll be based on. Still, a good year before the quick Civic will be offered up for sale, we've had a go anyway.
Our Photoshop fakers have even made one extra cheeky little addition. Notice the Type-RR insignia? It's looking like this is how the very fastest Civic will be badged.
First there'll be a regular Type-R, set to take a slight step back from the excesses of the current hot-hatch arms race, with barely more than the 197bhp of the current R, presented in a more rounded-off, less frenzied, more civilised package.
The role of pushing the benchmark beyond the level set by the likes of the 238bhp Vauxhall Astra VXR could be left to the mooted, but long from being confirmed, Civic Type-RR.
'The final specification depends on just how far owners would be prepared to push it'
The logic of this would start where the just launched run-out edition based on the current Type-R leaves off. This has a Momo steering wheel, Recaro seats and blacked-out glass.
In a sense it's a pre-modded new car, to which the future Type-RR could add an assortment of bespoke engine and chassis upgrades. The final spec depends on just how far owners would be prepared to push it.
Honda's two-wheeler division has gone down the RR route already, as Top Gear bike columnist Morgan Donnair explains: "In the Nineties, 'RR' became a popular couple of letters for Japanese manufacturers to add to their special models.
"Right now, you can buy a Honda CBR600RR and CBR1000RR. Both mimic Honda's MotoGP bikes, with similar frames, trick suspension and race-tuned engines. And let's not forget Honda reliability.
"The CBR1000RR is particularly close to the bike ridden by Nicky Hayden, Honda's top factory rider; it has 180bhp, weighs 179kg and can hit 100mph in well under five seconds."
Peter Grunert
Read Honda Civic Car Review
Honda Civic road tests
Honda Civic Type S 1.8 i-VTEC - November 17, 2006
Honda Civic Hybrid 1.4 ES Leather - May 9, 2006
Honda Civic Type R - January 9, 2004
Honda Civic facelift - December 1, 2003
Honda Civic Type-S - June 3, 2003
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