At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda showcased the Civic RS Prototype which previews a future production model that will be sold in Japan. Said to bridge the gap between the Civic Type R and lesser variants of the Civic (Japan only gets the hatchback body style), the upcoming Civic RS comes with a six-speed manual transmission and distinctive styling.
The former is nothing new in Japan, as the LX and EX variants of the Civic currently available in Japan can be ordered with a manual as an alternative to a CVT. However, those variants are powered by a 1.5 liter turbocharged inline-four petrol engine rated at 182 PS (180 hp or 134 kW) and 240 Nm of torque.
Reports suggest the Civic RS will get a more powerful version of the 1.5-litre engine with 203 PS (200 hp or 149 kW) and 260 Nm like what’s found in the Civic Si sold in the United States.
Honda isn’t providing much details for now, so we’ll have to wait and see if this is true. What is promised are “further refinements to the joy of driving,” which suggests a revised chassis for a more engaging driving experience.
Honda Civic RS Prototype Debuts In Tokyo With Sharper Looks And A Manual Gearbox
Visually, the Civic RS Prototype is being presented in black with a redesigned front bumper, which provides a sportier look. The new bumper boasts sharper surfacing and more discreet side intakes, with other touches being RS badging and what appears to be 18-inch wheels finished in black.
The new Civic RS will be available in Japan starting in the fall, when more information and pricing should be available. Does this Civic RS look better than the one we have here? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Honda brought several exhibits to the Tokyo Auto Salon this year, with one of them being more interesting to Japanese buyers as it will soon become a production offering. The 2024 Honda Civic RS prototype previews a sporty manual hatchback trim that aims to bridge the gap between the regular versions and the hardcore Civic Type R.
The Civic RS was presented with an all-black paint job that emphasizes its understated appearance. The highlight of the exterior is the redesigned front bumper with a sharper surface and narrower side air inlets. Additionally, Honda added red RS emblems at both ends to contrast with the black paint.
The subtle visual improvements make the new trim look like a soft-core version of the Type R, even though the rest of the body and alloy wheels are taken from the standard Civic Hatchback.
Honda Japan 2024
The Honda Civic is already available with a six-speed manual transmission in the US market, but Japanese buyers are limited to the CVT automatic. This will change in the fall of 2024 when the manual-equipped Civic RS goes on sale in Japan.
The company hasn’t said what’s under the hood, but chances are it will be powered by the non-electrified 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. More importantly, Honda promised “further improvements in driving enjoyment” and hinted at a revised suspension tune that would justify the sportier looks.
Reading between the lines, the JDM-spec Civic RS could mirror the specifications of the US-spec Civic Si. The latter benefits from a limited-slip differential, speed-matching technology, stiffer springs, revised dampers, thicker anti-roll bars, larger brakes, and 200 hp (149 kW / 202 hp) from the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine.
Revealed With 6-Speed Manual
Honda has just revealed the Honda Civic RS Prototype with a 6-speed manual transmission at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024. It is made for the Japanese market and will be making its debut in the country this fall. So no, this is not the same Civic “RS” we know here in Malaysia.
The Honda Civic RS Prototype shown by the Japanese carmaker is finished with black paint, along with a set of black wheels. It sports a different front bumper than the Civic RS model available in Malaysia and it doesn’t come with fog lights. Its grille sports a honeycomb pattern, and of course, with an RS badge slapped on it too.
Round the back, Honda has only revealed a portion of the rear of its sporty hatchback, which so far looks similar to the regular FL-generation hatchback model, albeit with an RS badge.
The Honda Civic RS Prototype is currently being developed, so no performance-related specifications or interior designs have been revealed for the car just yet. This is except for the fact that it will be coming with a 6-speed manual gearbox and will be making its debut in Japan this fall.
To further whet everyone’s appetite, Honda has previewed a new variant of the Civic hatch. Not only that, it’s a familiar name to most people in Southeast Asia. Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the Honda Civic RS Hatchback.
At first glance, it looks much like the sedan we already have here. It has the same badge location, wheels, and ‘blacked-out’ treatment. However, we observed a different set of bumpers for the front and rear. That should give it more distinction over the standard hatch variants.
Civic RS Interior
There are no interior photos of the Japanese-spec Civic RS hatchback just yet. However, we’re likely to see similarities between this and the sedan sold in ASEAN.
If so, we can expect red highlights on the dash, door, and seats, along with a unique welcome animation on the digital instrument cluster. Other possible upgrades include suspension tweaks as it slots in between the ‘regular’ variants and the Type R.
But what caught our attention was Honda’s claim. The company has said that it will be offered with a six-speed manual. Will this be the modern-day SiR people have been wishing for? Well, it will depend on what’s under the hood.
Granted, there’s a Civic Si sedan in North America, and it’s even available in orange. It packs a higher-output version of a familiar 1.5-liter turbo, punching out 200hp and 260Nm of torque. If the RS won’t use it, then it’s likely it’ll stick to the standard version of the 1.5-liter turbo that makes 176hp and 240Nm of torque.
Summary
The prototype of the new Honda Civic mirrors nearly every detail we first saw in leaked patent images, but gives us a clearer look at some design highlights.
The Honda Civic is one of the most popular sedan worldwide. Interestingly, people from different parts of the world has also embraced the Civic generations after generations.
On the other hand, Honda has also redefined the definition for Civic. They have removed the crazy, sharp fascia and replaced it with a neat surface. We love the new mature appearance.
We believe Honda won’t let us down in times to come. The new Civic will become more active and passive in features. We will come back soon with more on Honda. Stay in touch with us for more.
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