The Vauxhall Astra VXR is going to have 276bhp, and the RenaultSport Megane 265 Cup has 261bhp. However, I've seen rumours (in magazines) that the next Golf GTi may not rise much and will have 210bhp or so (don't know how accurate that'll be, but there you go). So, if the customers are that strongly influenced by the numbers, there are going to be a bunch of Renaults and Vauxhalls sold (at ~£25k). Then there were Focus RS's and are Golf R-series, the BMW M135 (316bhp, £30k) etc. Perhaps they reside in a category above ? The range of fast hatches is much bigger than it used to be.
However, the CTR does close to 150mph, and 0-60 in 6.6s or so, and generally goes like a bat out of hell if you rev it. I can't see the point of more, except for the sake of it. In fact, I can see the point of less (on the road). Maybe I'm a Jazz Type-R customer ! I'm willing to believe this is not necessarily a popular view, but what's the point of more and more and more power ? You can't use much of the VTEC zone in 3rd without going very quickly, never mind 4th to 6th. 205GTi's (1.6 and 1.9) were just either side of 140bhp / ton, which is also where the old MX-5 sits (I think). A base Elise is around 155, and the Euro CTR's (new and old) are 159 and 166.
As to whether it deserves a Type-R badge, it's about as mental a hot-hatch as there is, it's firm riding, has _that_ engine and red-line and goes pretty damn well. If you're chucking the FN2 out, you may as well chuck the EP3 out (they're very similar, yes I know, no double-wishbones at the back on the FN2, but it's still effective, and some FN2's get an LSD). Don't know much about the really old (Japanese) CTR, and not sure whether the Accord merits the badge on this revised scale or not. You may be left with NSX-R, Integra-R (both generations, or just DC2 ?), and newer Japanese CTR (FD2). Well, these are the (even) more extreme end of the range, I guess it's up to where you want to draw the line.
Anyway, that lot's just my opinion. An interesting question is, what engine can they use in the new one ? Is there a 2.0 in the new engine range or only a 1.8 ? There is a 2.4 as well according to the Earth Dreams news item.
![[home]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/home.gif){kind=small}
![[rumors and news]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/rumors.gif){kind=small}
![[model release matrix]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/newmodelreleasematrix.gif){kind=small}
![[dealer network]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/dealernet.gif){kind=small}
![[desktop calendar]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/calendar.gif){kind=small}
![[exhaust notes]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/exhaust.gif){kind=small}
![[tov forums]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/forums.gif){kind=small}
![[links]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/links.gif){kind=small}
![[search]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/search.gif){kind=small}
![[sponsors]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/sponsors.gif){kind=small}
![[garage]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/garage.gif){kind=small}
![[login]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/login.gif){kind=small}
