The Next Honda Civic Type R Will Look Less Crazy, And That Makes Me Sad

In the last few months of running a Honda Civic Type R, I’ve discovered a newfound love for car parks. Before you label me a weirdo, hear me out: it’s all to do with the car’s bonkers aero package. With its huge front splitter, festooning of lumps and bulges and that colossal rear wing, it always sticks out like a sore thumb, like someone’s dumped a BTCC racing car outside the local branch of Asda. I’ve said before that nothing this side of a Lamborghini can match its visual presence, and that’s a statement I’m sticking too.

Unfortunately though, it’s looking like the next Civic Type R will be toned down massively. While recent testing footage showed the 10th-generation Civic-based Type R wearing a massive great wing, Auto Express is reporting that it won’t make an appearance on the production car. In addition, the front bumper and rear diffuser won’t look quite so aggressive as on the current car.

This seems like a massive shame, not just because the Civic will lose its claim of being the only car in class producing negative lift. The 0 f—k’s given outward look of the Type R is one of my favourite things about it, and while it’s no oil painting, I’d argue that’s down to the fugly Civic hatch upon which it’s based, rather than the aero kit. And as we’ve seen from renders like the one above, wearing the downforce-inducing gubbins of the current Type R, the much prettier shape of the 10th-gen Civic hatch (seen in standard form below) would look downright smokin’.

My argument has always been that if you can’t live with the looks - or the jolly firm ride - buy something like a Seat Leon Cupra. But in the world of numbers, spreadsheets and suits behind the scenes, it seems Honda has concluded that the crazy wings are costing it sales, and a diluted exterior would help them steal potential customers for the Leon Cupra and cars of that ilk.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, with Auto Express claiming that the current Type R’s 2.0-litre turbo four-banger will be carried over and given a boost in power. Reportedly we’re looking at 340bhp up from 307, while the torque will jump up to 332lb ft. Without that rear wing creating a load of drag it may even end up with a top speed in excess of 170mph.

We won’t have to wait long to get our first look either, with a concept version expected to make an appearance at the Paris Motor Show in October.

What do you think: do you dig the idea of a softer-looking Civic Type R, or will you miss the aesthetic lunacy?