The Honda Civic Type R—at least in Europe—is dead. Well, it will be once all 40 examples of the FL5’s ‘Ultimate Edition’ are built and with their new owners. That leaves what we would consider to be a whopping great hole in Honda’s lineup for a proper performance car.
Thankfully, the Honda Prelude name is back, and it’s returning as a two-door coupe. We’ve had a brief go already in a pre-production car and came away impressed with its simulated ‘S+ Shift’ gearbox, but could a full-fat Prelude Type R be in the works?
“It’s a very difficult question, of course, and you can’t expect a direct answer,” said Tomoyuki Yamagami, the new Prelude’s chief engineer. We knew this would happen, but it’d be remiss not to ask.
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“We have been talking for years now about whether there will be a hybrid Type R in the future or a battery-electric Type R in the future,” Yamagami-san continued. “What we’ve always said is that Type R is not dependent on the method of propulsion.”
Of course, it wasn’t an outright no when TG asked about an all-electric 0 Series Type R at the beginning of this year, and the same could now be said for the hybridized Prelude.
“I remember when the first turbocharged Type R came on the market, and everybody was so disappointed,” said Yamagami.
“Everyone was questioning the decision to go away from the naturally aspirated engine, but nowadays, nobody even talks about that because the Type R badge is more than just a drive unit. It’s the ability to enhance dynamic performance to its maximum, and as long as this attribute is being realized, it doesn’t matter whether it’s hybrid, electric, or a naturally aspirated gasoline engine.”
Dig the 324hp 2.0-liter turbo four-pot, the six-speed manual gearbox, and a giant rear wing out of the Civic Type R parts bin, Honda, then maybe strap a little bit of mild-hybrid assist in—and you’ve got yourself a lightweight Prelude Type R. Perfect, no?
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
