The Civic Type-r Concept Debuts At Geneva

[Apex]

Takeo Fukui, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., unveiled the Civic Type R Concept at the 76th Geneva Motor Show recently. The Honda Civic Type R Concept, which strongly hints at what the production car will look like when it reaches the market in 2007.

In unveiling the Civic Type R Concept, CEO Fukui was joined by the Honda Racing F1 Team’s ever-popular driver, Jenson Button. Jenson made a brief “pit stop” from his busy pre-season testing schedule to help launch the exciting concept model to the press.

When Honda unveils a new sports concept there is always a sense of anticipation and the new Civic Type R is no exception. To please all its fans, Honda engineers have designed a 'superhatch' to deliver blistering performance from the same power output as the previous incarnation (200 bhp). The aggressive, lower and wider-looking body encases a new 2.0 liter engine and the model, built in Britain, will go on sale in early 2007 priced around £18,000.

What is a Type R?

The Type R name was introduced by Honda Motorcycles, where the letter R was added to conventional bike names to indicate a performance derivative. For example, the CB – a standard 4-cylinder across-the-frame bike – became the CB-R, a sporting model.

One of the earliest Type R cars was the Honda NSX-R, a stripped-down, lightweight version of the NSX supercar. This was developed in response to claims the NSX did not have enough power to compete with rival cars from Porsche and Ferrari. The key factor in this argument – and a point proved by the NSX-R – was the importance of the power to weight ratio.

Philosophy

The Type R philosophy is not about building the most powerful, or fastest car in the world. It is about creating a car that provides a well-engineered, but exciting driving experience. To offer this, every Type R needs to have certain key characteristics:

Racing: An exhilarating driving experience similar to that felt when piloting a racing car.

Involvement: High levels of feedback and involvement in terms of sound, steering response and handling. The driver should feel part of the machine.

Not just speed: Going fast is part of the Type R experience, but not everything. The Type R should have above average levels of performance in gear change quality, braking, steering and handling.

Pure: The driving experience should not be diluted or interfered with by driving aids or sound proofing that could detract from the driver’s involvement.

Stripped-out: A Type R is not equipped with luxuries such as satellite navigation, hands-free telephones or leather upholstery. It should look and feel like a racing car.

Engineering: To meet the aims set by the philosophy, a different approach is taken during the design and development of a Type R. Therefore, each car possesses a special set of engineering qualities.

Normally aspirated: No bolting on of a turbocharger to give silly power figures. All Type R engines are normally-aspirated, which deliver smoother power delivery throughout the rev range, allowing power to be transferred through the chassis more easily, improving traction and acceleration.

Torsional rigidity: A stiffer chassis improves the handling of the car in terms of balance and adjustability. This makes for a more involving drive.

Simple technology: No traction control, stability control or four-wheel drive. Or indeed any other driver aids that can distance the driver from the experience. Instead, a Type R is based on clever, but simple engineering solutions rather than electronic gadgetry.

Type R Time-line

February 1992: NSX-R introduced. Weight is reduced by 265 lbs. Recaro seats and MOMO steering wheel fitted. Stiffer suspension adopted. Production limited to 1995 units.

September 1995: Honda announces the launch of the DC2 Integra Type-R. The Integra Type-R is powered by the B18C 1.8-litre DOHC VTEC engine, specifically developed for the Integra Type-R, with 200 bhp at 8,000 rpm. Standard equipment includes a helical LSD, sports suspension, a front lip spoiler, a rear spoiler, alloy wheels, a leather wrapped MOMO steering wheel, Recaro seats, and a titanium shift knob.

August 1997: The EK9 Civic Type-R is launched in Japan. It is powered by an exclusively-developed 1.6-liter DOHC VTEC B16B engine that makes 185 bhp at 8,200 rpm. The lightweight B16B engine features a new valve system allowing higher engine speeds, reduced engine friction, improved breathing, and increased compression ratio. Main features of handling include increased body rigidity, reduced weight, sports suspension, torque-sensitive helical LSD, sports-tuned ABS, and Bridgestone Potenza RE010 tires.

Jan 1998: The Accord Type-R goes on sale in the UK, with a tweaked version of the H22A engine on board. In addition, the Accord Type-R boasts a limited-slip-diff, Recaro seats and a stiffer chassis.

July 2001: An updated version of the Integra Type-R (DC5) is launched for sale in Japan and USA. The special color of Championship White celebrates Honda’s first victory in F1. The DC5 Integra Type-R is powered by the K20A 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine with 220 bhp and a new 6-speed manual gearbox. The suspension adopts clever front suspension and reactive-link double wishbone rear suspension. The Integra Type-R is also equipped with Recaro front seats, a leather wrapped MOMO steering wheel, aluminum pedals, aluminum shift knob, exclusive aero parts and Brembo front brakes.

October 2001: A Type-R version of the 7th generation Civic is announced. It is built at Honda in the UK Manufacturing in Swindon, Wiltshire. The CTR – as it becomes known by enthusiasts – is powered by a 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine that produces 200 bhp. The Civic Type-R goes on to sell over 35,000 units and pick up numerous Hot Hatch of the Year awards.

[Andrew_GTR]

UGLY UGLY UGLY!!! Sorry Guys but i dont like it one bit....For me the best Type-R's ever to grace this earth were the 2001 CTR's and the DC5 ITR's...this looks like a spaceship to me... Yuck.......................

[west coast customs]

THT CAR SUITES FOR THE RUBBISHH CAN MAN THTS BULL SHITTT

[JwesT]

UGLY UGLY UGLY!!! Sorry Guys but i dont like it one bit....For me the best Type-R's ever to grace this earth were the 2001 CTR's and the DC5 ITR's...this looks like a spaceship to me... Yuck.......................

machan call this ugly, u should see the normal civic in UK.. its freaking damn ugly.. this one much better looking compared to that (because of the kit)... For me previous Type R is the best looking (2001/02 model)..

from a survey carried out in UK, from Ford Focus ST, Golf GTI, Astra VXR and honda type R

most ppl chose Type R

which 1 would u guys choose?

[Overdrive]

machan call this ugly, u should see the normal civic in UK.. its freaking damn ugly.. this one much better looking compared to that (because of the kit)... For me previous Type R is the best looking (2001/02 model)..

from a survey carried out in UK, from Ford Focus ST, Golf GTI, Astra VXR and honda type R

most ppl chose Type R

which 1 would u guys choose?

VXR Sh*ts down the throat of the rest of the cars, performance wise.." Golf Gti killer"

looks wise will go with the VXR, ST,GTI

Interior, GTI

[Pericles]

GTI from that list for me ....

Article looks sorta old. If this was during the pre-F1 season, then its sorta dated.

[Overdrive]

GTI from that list for me ....

Article looks sorta old. If this was during the pre-F1 season, then its sorta dated.

finally someones back on the forum, pretty dull day eh? no avrudu for u praveen?

[Pericles]

finally someones back on the forum, pretty dull day eh? no avrudu for u praveen?

Had avurudhu and came back Nice having a fast car

[Overdrive]

Had avurudhu and came back Nice having a fast car

roads must be empty ha?

[Pericles]

roads must be empty ha?

Yup, specially the morning run to Panadura. Evening run back was ok, but I was in cruise mode then.

[Bishu]

For Me from the List :- Volkswagen Golf GTI !!!!!

[ucscsades]

GTI definitely, hands down.

And yeah, that civic is butt ugly. I really like the new civic being sold in the US market...is that what comes to SL as well?

Why haven't they introduced the Type-R to the US market?? There are so many people who want it! Yeah, the Si is nice, but just doesn't compare!

[isurujosh]

GTI definitely, hands down.

And yeah, that civic is butt ugly. I really like the new civic being sold in the US market...is that what comes to SL as well?

Why haven't they introduced the Type-R to the US market?? There are so many people who want it! Yeah, the Si is nice, but just doesn't compare!

well hatches don't sell in big numbers in US, from what i gather from the net, the sole reason why the si coupe was introduced was coz da hatch was not well receved by USDM...

ONE THING I HAVE REALISED FROM WHAT I READ ABOUT HONDA IS THAT, EVER SINCE THE DEMISE OF SOICHIRO HONDA, HONDA(COMPANY) HAS BEEN ANSWERING THE MACRO MARKET NOT NECESSARILY THE ENTHUCIAST COMMUNITY, THIS IS EVIDENT BY MEASURES LIKE DROPPING ALL DOUBLE WISH BONE SUSPESION TO GETTING LAGGED BEHIND COMPETION.