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The 2017 Honda Civic Type R went on sale last week as the most powerful production vehicle Honda has ever offered in the U.S. But an even more powerful Type R may be coming, Honda has revealed.
Speaking with Automotive News, Civic chief engineer Hideki Matsumoto divulged Honda is considering a number of new Civic Type R variants. ?We?re hoping that by gradually putting out more [variants] that we?ll be able to maintain a more stable sales volume,? he said.
First on the list is a Type R with more horsepower than the existing model?s 306 ponies. Honda could also introduce a softer version that is ?focused more on the grand touring aspect,? according to Matsumoto. Another possibility is an all-wheel-drive variant that would more directly compete with the Volkswagen Golf R and Subaru WRX STI.
While new variants will help broaden the Type R?s customer base, Matsumoto said it was important for Honda to stick with a familiar formula for the first version to make its way to the U.S. Like the previous-gen Type R that was sold in markets outside the U.S., the new model features front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. Its 2.0-liter turbo-four is pretty much the same as the engine in the outgoing version.
The new Civic Type R is now on sale in the U.S. Prices start at $34,775 for this vehicle, which is available in a single trim level.
Text Source: Motor Trend