Red Label: Honda Civic Type R Prototype Interior Looks Ready for Takeoff

–

In Honda World, red isn’t just another color. The red Honda badge is reserved for only its highest level of performance vehicles known as Type R. Throughout decades of automaking, Honda has applied the R only to a select few cars, the NSX, the Integra, and the Civic being the most memorable. The Civic has had the longest run of them all, but there’s one major problem: It’s never been to America. The Integra Type R is the only one we’ve had, and that hasn’t been around since 2001. Thankfully, that’s about to change.

–

After years of clamoring for more hot-hatch goodness, enthusiasts in the United States are finally getting the Honda they desire. At the Paris auto show last month, the Civic Type R prototype was unveiled in all its winged, scooped, and kitted glory. With all the attention surrounding the carbon fiber, the spoilers, the triple exhaust, and the 20-inch wheels, not many people seemed to take notice of the interior. A website called Leblogauto, however, managed to open the prototype’s doors and take some photos.

–

–

As you can see, the red-against-black theme bleeds right into the steering wheel, the dash and door trim, and the floor mats. The rojo is most prevalent in the bolstered sport seats, which not only have contrast stitching on the bolsters but also red inlays on the backrest and the bottom.

–

–
• Honda Civic Type R Prototype: It’s Almost Here!

–

• Save the Manuals: Turbocharged Honda Civic Hatch Starts at $ 20,535

–

• Honda Civic: Full Info, Specs, Pricing, and More

–

–

The photos also show what’s expected to be a six-speed manual shifter, metal pedals, carbon-fiber-like trim on the dashboard, and a large infotainment screen that looks similar to what’s in the current Euro-spec Civic Type R. Below are a few photos captured more recently in a different preproduction test vehicle that seems to closely match what’s inside the Paris show car. One thing that’s missing: a manual e-brake handle, which some enthusiasts are sure to get upset about. Piece by piece, this car is crawling toward reality. The Civic Type R is expected to be released stateside for the 2018 model year.

–

–
Car and Driver BlogCar and Driver Blog