EVO

Honda Ups The Pace

The safe, reliable image of Honda has just been given a welcome injection of adrenalin. The outlandish NSX-R GT takes its inspiration from the racecars competing in the Japanese Super GT Race Championship. It costs an eye-watering £250K, which is even more outrageous when you discover that under the multitudinous carbonfibre body addenda is a stock NSX-R, which costs £63K in Japan.

The large airbox looming over the roof is purely cosmetic, but the jutting chin spoiler and rear diffusers are genuine aerodynamic aids, as worn by the racers. The plan is to sell just five NSX-R GTs to cover the cost of developing the parts.

Of more consequence to Honda's long-term image shift is the rakishly daring concept unveiled at the Geneva show; it's 90 per cent of what the next-generation Civic will look like. The coupe-esque hatch looks like a three-door but has 'disguised' rear door handles like Alfa's 156. Although Honda has yet to announce any technical details, a Type-R version - perhaps with as much as 230bhp to match the latest firebrands from Ford, Vauxhall and Renault - would seem likely, given Honda's desire to attract a more youthful audience. The new Civic is launched in September.

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