The Sleuth gets slightly giddy as the fall new-car season approaches and this one is no exception. The launch of the 10th-generation Civic lineup should prove especially exciting, with rumors of not one, but two turbocharged four-cylinder engines available as well as a non-turbo four-cylinder base engine for price-leader models. The 1.5-liter turbo will produce about 145-150 horsepower and is expected to be the fuel-economy champ. The 2.0-liter version is expected to spool out in excess of 300 horses in the Type R four-door hatchback. That car will be vying for attention alongside the 320-plus horsepower Ford Focus RS and the 292-horsepower Volkswagen Golf R. On the downside, the thrifty Civic hybrid and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) models won’t be returning after the 2015 model year.
The Civic Type-R kind of looks like a clone of the Subaru WRX STI. And maybe the new Ford Focus RS. Clearly, they will be competing for your rallying dollars.