by Bradley Cavendish
After a host of unveilings at the Paris Motor Show in September it’s fair to say that Honda’s future is looking incredibly bright. The long list of new models, plus next generation technology inside the cars and under the bonnets is exciting enough, but with a new Type R on the way and a return to F1 as well, 2015 is set to be a truly stellar year in Honda’s illustrious history.
Paris hosts a motor show just once every two years and there’s always something of a thrill about being in the most glamorous capital city in the world. It is a huge show with no fewer than seven separate halls for the press and public to navigate but nevertheless it was hard to miss Honda’s presence right in the entrance to pavilion number three.
The prototype of Honda’s HR-V was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show
The HR-V
In pride of place up on the main stage two new concepts were unveiled: a prototype of the new European Jazz and Honda’s exciting new small SUV, which will be dubbed the HR-V when it goes on sale next summer.
The interiors were kept under wraps at the time, but we know that both cars will get the versatile Honda ‘magic seats’. A clever centrally placed fuel tank will also help to maximise cabin space in both cars. Vibrant metallic paint sets off the new designs, with the ingenious hidden door handles that help reinforce the coupé look of the HR-V attracting particular attention.
The new Type R appears more stunning than ever
The new Civic Type R
Moving away from the main stage the undisputed star of the show was the vibrant blue example of the new Civic Type R. Sitting in a pool of light on its own circular podium with its glossy new colour furthering its wow-factor, it looked more stunning than ever. No wonder then that it was voted the show’s Star Car by Auto Express readers.
We now know that Honda is promising unrivalled performance compared to any previous Type R… NSX included. Its turbocharged 2.0-litre i-VTEC will produce in excess of 280PS and rev to 7000rpm, while four point adaptive dampers and a ‘steer axis’ system will help transfer the power to the road effectively.
Previous generations of Civic Type R have always been known for their incredibly slick and precise manual gearboxes and the new car continues that three pedal tradition with a six-speed ‘box. Finally, we can look forward to a +R mode, which is aimed squarely at enhancing the performance of the Civic on track. For some of us next summer can’t come soon enough.
The Sport
It’s not only Type R that’s new to the Civic range in 2015. Racing into the new year alongside it, both the hatchback and the Tourer are receiving new front exterior designs, and the launch of a new Sport derivative is creating a buzz all of its own. The highly anticipated Sport will be powered by either the 1.6-litre 120PS diesel or 1.8-litre 142PS petrol engine, and will come with unique 17-inch alloys and a colour coded rear spoiler. A new, lower front grille will also presage the design of the Type R. The cherry on the cake is that the whole 2015 Civic range will premier Honda’s all-new in-car audio and information system called Honda Connect.
Via a 7-inch touchscreen, users will be able to access a huge range of functions and information, including apps, DAB and internet radio, rear-view parking camera and of course the optional Garmin satellite navigation system. The screen can also be personalised to make it more intuitive for individual users, while behind the scenes the system has one of the fastest dual-core processors in the industry.
The CR-V
As if that wasn’t enough, the wraps were also pulled off an updated CR-V in Paris. Fresh lights, bumpers, grille and tailgate all bring the exterior right up to date, but there are also new additions under the skin. A new 1.6-litre i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel from Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series is replacing the old 2.2-litre diesel.
Despite the reduction in size, the new engine actually produces more power with a maximum output of 160PS, while emitting 11 percent less CO2. A new, more efficient, nine speed automatic transmission will also be an option on the CR-V and, of course, they will all be built at Honda’s state-of-the-art plant in Swindon.
The RA271 was the very first Honda to race in F1, 50 years ago
The RA271
Finally, among all the shiny new metal in Paris there was one much older car that threatened to steal the show. On display in anticipation of Honda’s return to the pinnacle of motorsport, was the diminutive RA271 – the very first Honda to race in F1 50 years ago.
Painted in the now iconic white livery with the red rising sun it took to the grid at the Nurburgring for the German Grand Prix in 1964. Although it’s hard to believe when you look at the beautifully slim cigar-like shape, it actually has a V12 mounted transversely in the chassis.
Also on display, like a piece of sculpture in a glass case next to RA271, was the hugely successful V6 turbo engine that powered McLaren to 15 wins from 16 races in 1988.
If Honda’s next turbocharged V6 engine can produce similar results when the company returns to F1 next year, then 2015 really will be an annus mirabilis.
