New Honda Civic Concept to be Unwrapped at Detroit Show, Previews Production Model

What you see pictured above is an official rendering of the Honda Civic Concept, which will be revealed in the flesh at the upcoming 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January 2011. According to the Japanese automaker, the concept is more of a pre-production study that will preview the actual, ninth-generation 2012 Civic, which will go on-sale in North America in spring next year.

The illustration depicts a coupe model with possible styling influences from the European market Civic hatchback (front) and the North American Accord Coupe (profile). Honda did not release any specific details on the car, but we suspect that we'll learn more within the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned.

Honda to Discontinue Civic Type R in Europe, Killed by Tougher Emission Standards

It's the end of the line for the current generation of the Civic Type R in Europe as Honda today announced its wedgy hot hatch will no longer be sold in many areas of the continent from the end of 2010, due to forthcoming Euro V emissions regulations. Production of the Civic Type R for the European market will cease in October 2010, with sales ending during December.

Honda said the decision to axe the Civic Type R across most of Europe has been taken because the car does not currently meet the Euro 5 emission regulations. "The introduction of Euro 5 means the Type R can only be sold up until the end of 2010 in markets where those rules apply," the Japanese maker said in a statement.

Production of the exclusively UK-manufactured 3-door Civic Type R will continue at Honda's factory in Swindon, to supply market where regulations allow it, including Australia and South Africa.

The commemorate the end of its European career, the Japanese firm is planning to bring together fans of its Type R models at a special event at Silverstone this month (22 August).

Honda also announced lower pricing and better finance deals for the remaining Civic Type R models in the UK with the Type R GT now available at £19,495, which represents a saving of £2,230.

The current Civic Type R, which is powered by a high-revving 2.0-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC with 201PS that maxes out at 8,000rpm, made its debut in concept form at the Geneva motor show in 2006 and in production guise at the Paris Auto Show the same year. Since its market introduction in January 2007, Honda has sold over 12,000 examples of this generation model in the UK alone.

The next generation of the Civic is due to make its debut in 2011, with a Type R model expected (but not confirmed)to be in the mix.

Honda UK Dealers Offer Factory-Backed MUGEN Tuning Bits

Honda fans in Britain can now trick out their cars with original Mugen performance parts backed by a factory-warranty straight from their dealer. The Japanese automaker said that a total of eight Honda dealers across the UK have launched the MUGEN Original Parts Programme offering a range of tuning parts, accessories and merchandise from the company's semi-official tuning partner.

The programme launches with MUGEN parts for the current FN2 Civic Type R, some of which were seen on last year's 240HP Civic Type R MUGEN special.

The initial range of parts includes forged aluminium wheels, performance brake pads, quick shift kits and a sports suspension for the Type R, as well as body styling kits for the standard Civics and a sports exhaust for the CR-Z hybrid coupe.

Honda said that parts requiring fitment by its dealers are covered by a 12 month/ 10,000 mile warranty, while other accessories are covered by a standard manufacturing defects warranty.

The dealers involved in the MUGEN performance parts programme are:

-Avonvale Honda (Midlands)

-Bristol Honda (South West)

-Inchcape Honda (South East)

-Brayley Honda (Home Counties)

-Two Mills Honda (North West)

-Phoenix Honda (Scotland & Borders)

-Ewens of Cornhill (Highlands)

-Donnelly & Taggart (Northern Ireland)

Honda Civic Type-R Heading to Australia this June

Not exactly “new” news as despite the fact that we just read about Honda Australia’s decision to import the 2008 Civic Type R hatch on Just-Auto’s website today, a quick search on Honda’s down-under website revealed that the announcement was made about…2 months ago. Nevertheless, since we missed it –yes shame on us but at least give us credit for being honest, its “redness” will find its way for the first time out of the Europe this June when the UK built Civic Type-R hatch sets sail for Australia. We remind you that the 3door / 5door versions of the 2008 Civic have been confined up to now to their European quarters, but apart from Australia, Russia will also get a taste of the Civic hatch later this year. Via: Just Auto & Honda Australia

Technorati: Honda+Civic+Type+R, Australia, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Do it like dad: Honda Type R Child Seat

We feel kinda stupid for admitting it but we’re suckers when it comes to gadgets like this JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) only, Type R child-seat that Honda launched as part of the accessory list for its recently released, 225Hp Civic Type R Sedan. Available for all you lucky Japanese folks at Honda dealerships for 44.100 YEN - about 371 USD or 273 EUR.

Technorati: Honda+Civic+Type+R, child+seats, ISOFIX, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Honda Civic Type R-R 260Hp – True or False?

We have to admit that we were caught unguarded when we first saw Autoexpress’ article on the first drive of the 260Hp Honda Civic Type R-R this morning. We had heard rumours but to see a magazine driving a car that hasn’t even been seen on spy-pics let alone on a press-kit, was to say at least, strange. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

A thorough check on all Honda websites and a few PR phone-calls later we were still left in the black. And then we remembered: the JAS Motorsport developed, FIA Group N and Group A homologated Civic Type R (our pics). A closer look at Autoexpress' images reveals interesting details like the roof air-intake and the bonnet clips. So unless the Brit mag got the “scoop” of the year or they got their hands on a still unreleased, UK Honda developed special version, I’d say they just drove JAS Motorsport’s race edition and just “forgot” to mention it... Check out Autoexpress' article here and tell us your opinion. Pics Via: JAS Motorsport

Technorati: Honda, Honda+Civic_Type+R-R, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

2008 Honda Civic Type R Sedan by Mugen

Practically a few hours after Honda introduced the 225Hp strong Civic Type R Sedan and Mugen released an upgraded version of the car! Mugen’s exterior mods include a new front apron, and grille, air-vents on the hood, a jumbo-sized rear wing, rear diffuser and new rims. In the Type R’s cabin we find a new set of Mugen bucket seats and an extra array of gauges. Due to the fact that we missed out on Japanese language courses we weren’t able to find out if Mugen tampered at all with the engine apart from the addition of a new air-filter, but we did manage to find out that they revised the suspension, the brake system and the exhaust. Via: Motorpasion & Mugen

Technorati: Honda+Civic+Type+R+Mugen, Tuning, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Honda Civic Type R Sedan with a 225Hp 2.0 i-VTEC released in Japan

As promised as last year with the prototype Civic Type R Sedan that was used as the official car for the 2006 F1 Japan Gran Prix (Suzuka Circuit on October 6-8 2006), Honda unleashed the production version that goes on sale throughout Japan on Friday, March 30. The Civic Type R sedan is fitted with a naturally-aspirated K20A 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine with a higher compression ratio and improved breathing delivering a maximum output of 225Hp / 165kW at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 215Nm (21.9kgm) at 6,100 rpm. There’s no performance figures out yet but expect a sub 7,0 sec for the 0 to 100 km/h (62mph). Appearance-wise, I’ve said it before I’ll say it again; I just love white Civic Type R’s. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release and 55 high-res images

Press Release: Honda Adds New Type R to Civic Lineup

TOKYO, Japan - March 29, 2007– Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced the release of the all-new Civic Type R, a pure sports edition of the Civic with further enhanced driving performance. The new Civic Type R will go on sale throughout Japan on Friday, March 30

This new Civic Type R was developed to make the driver feel at one with the car for the ultimate driving experience in all driving conditions, including on circuits.

The all-new Civic Type R comes equipped with a specially tuned 2.0-liter normally aspirated engine matched to a 6-speed manual transmission. A lighter, more rigid body shell, specially tuned suspension, 18-inch tires and large 17-inch front disc brakes contribute to the Civic Type R’s ability to push the performance envelope. Newly developed aerodynamic devices further enhance high-speed performance while giving the wide and low form a more aggressive look. Front bucket seats, a unique instrument panel and other performance accessories contribute to an easier and more responsive drive.

Type R models are specially tuned to take full advantage of the potential of the base model and provide a racing car-like driving feel. First offered on the NSX in 1992, the Type R range was extended to the Integra in 1995, and the Civic in 1997. This latest all-new Civic Type R is the distillation of 15 years of technological progress and the latest expression of Honda’s “Challenging Spirit.”

Key Features of the Civic Type R

Exterior Design

The exterior employs a pure sports one-motion form design with aerodynamically advanced surface treatment and sharp edges. Newly developed aerodynamic devices include a large air intake in the front bumper and grille, a rear bumper with built-in rear diffuser, a high-mount rear spoiler, and extended side sill garnishes, giving the car an aggressive overall appearance.

•Specifically designed engine hood and front fenders.

•Specially designed shiny black chromed front grille bar, headlight sub-reflector and Civic emblem design.

•Type R red Honda emblem front and rear.

Interior Design

•The overall black color scheme gives the interior cockpit a racing car-like appearance, bringing the driver closer at one with the car.

•The front bucket seats are specially designed for Type R. Separate center/side construction with high side bolsters and optimized cushion rates help hold the body in place, helping the driver concentrate on driving.

•The multiplex i-VTEC engine revolution indicator alerts the driver that engine speed is approaching maximum allowed revolutions. Self-illuminated, lit with red-colored flashing lights and is strategically located for minimum eye movement in circuit and other high speed driving conditions.

•Other performance-oriented features include a small-diameter, genuine leather oval steering wheel, an aluminum ball-type shift knob, a short stroke sports shift linkage, metal sports-type pedals and footrest, and a separate, button-type engine starter.

Engine

•A higher compression ratio and improved breathing efficiency help the naturally-aspirated K20A 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine output a maximum of 165kW (225PS) at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 215Nm (21.9kgm) at 6,100 rpm.

•NSX production methods contribute to smoother port surfacing, improving intake/exhaust airflow.

•Drive-By-Wire (DBW) provides for finer tuning of throttle response and power output.

•Optimum tuning of intake and exhaust manifolds provides for high output at high engine speed while also improving torque characteristics over a broad engine speed range.

Transmission

•A close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission is matched to the Type R engine.

•Optimized gear ratios offer superior accelerations at high speeds, providing exhilarating performance.

•New features include a highly rigid aluminum transmission case while the addition of a baffle plate helps mitigate oil starvation at high cornering speeds.

•A short stroke shift linkage contributes to a sporty shifting feel.

Highly Rigid Yet Lightweight Body/Chassis

•The highly rigid Civic body and its advanced layout serves as the basis for an even more highly rigid, yet lightweight Type R body. Measures to enhance body rigidity while reducing weight have translated into a body that is 50% more rigid than in the Integra Type R production model sold between 2001 and 2006.

•Specially tuned suspension, high performance 18-inch tires, a torque-sensitive helical limited slip differential, large disc brakes for improved fade resistance and other performance-enhancing features contribute to higher cornering performance and stability for an exciting, racecar-like driving experience.

•The specially tuned suspension boasts revised spring and damping rates, and thicker stabilizer bars for improved vehicle stability.

•225/40R18-sized high-performance Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires.

•17-inch disk brake with Brembo 4-pot aluminum front calipers.

•Specially-tuned ABS/EBD system.

•Special lightweight 18-inch aluminum wheels are matched to black wheel nuts.

Safety Performance

•Honda’s original G-CON (G-force Control) technology is incorporated to create a body with a crash safety performance that is among the best in the world, withstanding a 55km/h full-frontal collision, a 64km/h front offset collision, a 55km/h side collision, and a 50km/h rear collision.

•The vehicle’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body provides a high level of self-protection and also improves compatibility toward other vehicles.

•The vehicle is also designed to help mitigate pedestrian injury in the event of a collision thanks to the use of impact-absorbing structures.

•The front seats are equipped with 3-point, load-limiting ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seatbelts with E-pretensioners.

•Front-seat occupants are further protected by standard driver/front passenger i-SRS air bags.

•ISO FIX compatible child seat anchoring bars and tether belt anchor plates are standard on the rear seats.

Environmental Performance

•The Civic Type R complies with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport emissions regulations for 2005. PVC and Cr6+ use have been eliminated from interior and exterior components and wherever possible throughout the vehicle to achieve over 90% recyclability.

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