The latest generation Honda Civic Type R is now not only the fastest front-wheel-drive car at the Magny-Cours track, but also one of the fastest pickups in the world today. Yes, you read that right – the specialist from the Product Engineering department at the automaker’s UK factory in Swindon have built a one-off Civic Type R pickup truck, which was revealed at the SMMT Test Day in Great Britain.
The team has used a pre-production prototype of the hot hatch, which was officially revealed nearly a year ago, to create the unique Project P concept. It has two doors and two seats, and features a flatbed loading area behind the seats, where the rear bench and boot space would normally be.
More fast pickups:
The transformation is performed in such way that allows the rear fixed wing to be retained. Actually, fixed is not the correct term, as it has a movable design which allows an access to the load bed of the small pickup. One of our favorite design details of the new Type R, the triple exhaust pipes at the back, is also here. The whole body is finished in Rallye Red, one the factory colors of the Civic Type R hatch.
“We have a special projects division at the factory in Swindon and this project was a fantastic opportunity for the team to show just what their creative minds could do,” Alyn James, project lead, comments. “The passion that our engineers have for Honda is shown in our latest creation and we are even considering taking it to the Nurburgring to see if we can take the record for the fastest front wheel drive pickup truck!”
The team shouldn’t have troubles setting a new record at the ‘Ring, given the fact that the Project P uses the same powertrain, suspension, and gearbox as the standard production Civic Type R. The specialists estimate the truck will have a 0-62 miles per hour (0-100 kilometers per hour) acceleration time in under six seconds and a top speed in excess of 165 mph (265 kph).
Needless to say, Honda has no plans to put the model into mass production.
Source: Honda
Gallery: Honda Civic Type R Project P
- Created by the team behind Synchro Motorsport at the Swindon factory
- Potentially one of the fastest pickup trucks on UK roads
- No plans to put concept into production
Honda UK has stolen the show at the annual SMMT Test Day this year by showcasing a Civic Type R Pickup Truck concept, almost a year after the launch of the standard road car.
Built by a specialist team from the Product Engineering department at the Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) factory in Swindon and codenamed ‘Project P’, the Civic Type R Pickup Truck has been modified and developed from the standard road car to create potentially one of the fastest pickup trucks on UK roads.
To create the Project P concept, the team used a pre-production version and adapted the design rearwards from the B-pillars of the car, with sweeping lines from the roofline to the back hiding a flatbed loading area in the centre of the car where the rear seats and boot space would normally be.
Finished in Rallye Red, the concept retains the iconic rear wing associated with both the FK2 and FK8 Civic Type R, which, in a clever piece of engineering, is movable to allow direct and unfettered access to the rear of the truck.
Using the same powertrain, suspension and gearbox as the standard road car, it is estimated Project P will complete the 0-62mph sprint in under six seconds and reach a top speed of over 165mph. It also possesses the same driving modes of comfort, Sport and +R, Project P offering both ride comfort as well as a unique racing capability on track.
Alyn James, project lead, commented: “We have a special projects division at the factory in Swindon and this project was a fantastic opportunity for the team to show just what their creative minds could do. The passion that our engineers have for Honda is shown in our latest creation and we are even considering taking it to the Nurburgring to see if we can take the record for the fastest front wheel drive pickup truck!”
Phil Webb, head of car at Honda UK, added: “This Civic Type R Pickup Truck concept by the special team at our Swindon-based plant demonstrates the passion and commitment of the team there – going above and beyond outside working hours to deliver the final product. There are no plans to put this in to production but we will be using it to transport our lawn and garden products as and when required!”