Rumor: 2017 Honda Civic Type R Coming In Hatch Version Under Acura

Acura ILX Type-S anyone? The latest round of rumors has the 2017 Honda Civic Type R coming in Sedan and Hatch form with the Hatch selling under the Acura nameplate. 

If you’ve been around internet forums long enough, you’re familiar with the screen name RolledaNSX. It’s commonly understood that he’s got some friends in Honda where he gets his information. According to the latest rumor from RolledaNSX via Temple of VTEC earlier Friday, he’s received some Grade A rumors from Japan regarding the 2017 Honda Civic Type R that should be coming to US Shores shortly after Honda reveals there all-new Honda Civic Si.

According to RolledaNSX,

"Rumors from Japan (for the Honda Civic Type R.) Debut in North America First then other Markets. Engine same spec as now 310ps They’re stating it will be in Sedan(built in North America) and Hatch(built in UK) form.(is NA Market Hatch Type-R only going to be an Acura,Sedan Type-R a Honda??)So it looks like the Sedan will be first.Acura jewel-like lights."

and

"CTR Hatch and CTR Sedan will have different rear wings.Maybe they are thinking for the NA Market the better looking form will sell better as a Type-R…..NA Market likes Sedans.or are they just going Type-R across the board….coupe,sedan and hatch?and only in 6MT…..no word yet on a DCT"

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This is how we interpret that. First, the sedan form of the Honda Civic Type R will be made in North America with a Hatch version of the Civic Type R made in the UK. The hatchback version of the Honda Civic Type R built in the UK will then be possibly restyled and rebranded and sold under the Acura nameplate.  All Type R’s will come with a six-speed manual with no word on Dual Clutch transmissions. Both sedan and hatch will sport different spoilers. The new Acura Hatchback Type R will get jewel-like headlights. Again, these rumors should be taken with the largest grain of salt possible. 

First, there’s the conundrum of adding a hatchback to a performance luxury brand. But many performance luxury brands have done it before. Acura did it with the RSX, BMW did it with their 3-series compact and Mercedes did something similar with its C230.

That fact aside, it would be a bold move on Acura’s part to realign itself with their Acura Precision Concept they unveiled just weeks ago in Detroit. Acura’s designers will surely get a workout translating Precision Concept into hatchback form. With a push to rebrand itself as a performance brand above all else, a capable FWD hatch or coupe would bode well for Acura that finally has a halo car in its NSX. “Well I can’t afford the NSX, but I can finance this Acura hot hatch.”

In all likelihood, Acura’s ILX may be reborn using the Civic Hatchback base and renamed as a hotter ILX-S complete with SH-AWD as this rumored Acura Type-R. Base model ILX’s, like this current generation ILX, will receive Civic powerplants.

On the other hand, our options on what this Acura Type R will be named and marketed runs the gamut of possibilities (none based on fact mind you.) Acura could bring back the RSX or Integra Type R nameplate. The Acura RSX coming back might make sense but would they also introduce a base model? An Integra revival, in our opinion, wouldn’t fit as a hatchback form.

Next: First 2017 Acura NSX Sells For $1.2 Million At Barrett-Jackson

Acura ILX’s best selling month came in December 2012 (the year that it was introduced) with 2,485 units and hasn’t come close to breaking that record since. It would behoove Acura to spice up their lineup with something more capable than a Civic clone with a plush interior.