Honda is planning to add a high-performance version of the Civic’s current 150hp 2.2-litre diesel engine to the line-up.
The new unit is expected to generate 180-200hp and will join the eagerly-awaited 120hp 1.6-litre 94g/km diesel-engine in that arrives in January and will account for around 90% of the lower medium hatchback’s fleet sales.
The uprated 2.2-litre engine will appear in a sportier spec featuring larger alloys, lowered suspension and colour-coded bodykit, and the strategy of parallel higher-performance Civic derivatives mirrors VW‘s approach with the Golf GTI and GTD.
The range’s new diesel flagship will complement the petrol Type-R derivative, which is due on-sale by next autumn and will, it is believed, generate around 270hp. Its diesel counterpart will be badged Type-S.
Honda hinted that the unveiling of the Type-R may come after the Paris motor show next month as it doesn’t want to deflect attention away from the new CR-V off-roader.
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