The Euro Civic Type-R has officially been let of out its cage, and its non-turbocharged (that’s refreshing) 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC engine generates about 197 horsepower of front-tire shredding fun. Alberto says it looks even better in person, and even though the Type R being shown in Geneva is technically a concept we expect the production version to be very similar.
Live shots, press shots and Honda’s rather uninspired press release after the jump.
CIVIC TYPE R CONCEPT
Dynamic styling, exciting performance
Over 35,000 customers have been thrilled by the current Civic Type R – far more than originally forecast. A ‘CTR’ fan base has developed, and now enthusiasts from the UK, mainland Europe and Japan enjoy the raw, involving and exhilarating ‘super hatch’ Type R experience.
But while the previous model is a tough act to follow, the credentials of the Civic Type R Concept suggest the new 2007 car will attract a whole new wave of enthusiasts.
Bold and emotional styling is teamed with further development of the current Type R’s race-proven, high-revving DOHC i-VTEC engine.
200PS is delivered from the 2.0 litre motor without resorting to a turbocharger – part of what defines the current CTR and a feature that will equally define the character of its spiritual successor.
The promise is of a performance hatchback that will be as exciting to drive as it will be to look at when it goes on sale at the beginning of 2007.
A new 3-door version of the Civic, which shares DNA with this Type R Concept model, will go on sale in Europe later this year. It makes use of many of the styling themes that have brought such wide praise for the recently introduced Civic 5-door.
Civic Type R and the rest of the Civic 3-door range, will be exclusively built alongside the Civic 5-door range at the Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) plant in Swindon.
New KITT Attack Mode revealed at Comic Con
London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"
London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora
2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images
2010 Chevy Camaro - LIVE from the reveal
In the Autoblog Garage: Aprilia RSV 1000 R
First Drive: Maserati Quattroporte S in Europe
First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW
In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R
North American Exclusive First Drive: Alfa MiTo
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
tony belligerent @ Feb 28th 2006 2:20PM
Just in time for Easter!
An egg-shaped grain of rice with wheels!
Thanks, Honda, for keeping the spirit of Easter alive.
Jaimie B @ Feb 28th 2006 2:27PM
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
Gunnar Heinrich @ Feb 28th 2006 2:34PM
Very nice. But when does the hybrid version debut?
Steve S @ Feb 28th 2006 2:36PM
Why this is not turbo-charged I have no idea. Slap on some good AWD and total pocket rocket fun!
zeroSignal @ Feb 28th 2006 2:47PM
The rear is ugly, especially the exhausts and the area between them. But otherwise, hot damn.
Tim UF @ Feb 28th 2006 2:51PM
i'm diggin the split rear window, nice tribute to the early 90's crx si.
any reason why the type r has the same engine as the us spec civic si engine?
bring on the s2000's 240hp, please...
o_fizzle @ Feb 28th 2006 2:56PM
#6,
240hp through the front wheels? No thanks.
This car is beautiful as is.
rem83 @ Feb 28th 2006 2:59PM
can you really shred tires with such a small engine tuned to achieve peak power at 9000 or so rpm? seems like with a 2-liter tuned like that you might stall unless you drop the clutch everytime
Tommy @ Feb 28th 2006 3:05PM
100+ lb/ft of tq shy of MPS and SRT-4... Yawn...
Andy @ Feb 28th 2006 3:10PM
Yeah, very nice, such a massive step forward with its torsion bar rear suspension. Much better than the previous generations ILS setup.
This is much like Ford launching the new Mustang with a live axle, except I imagine the ricers will keep veeery quiet about their low tech rear suspension.
Its amazing that folk bitch and moan when Ford go on a cost cutting exercise to sell a car, yet when the allmighty Honda does it no one notices.
Oh, and I bet it'll cost as much as a mustang in the UK here too. £21K for either a stang or this. I know which one I'd take and it ain't Japanese.
nastinupe @ Feb 28th 2006 3:14PM
Yea, all buzz and no sting. 200 hp meant nothing 5 years ago in this market. Double yawn. I don't care what color, spoiler, fenders you put on this car... Honda just needs a better engine.
editblog @ Feb 28th 2006 3:14PM
It's funky and it will probably not get to America, (maybe the RSX Type R someday) so I'm guessing we'll still be graced with all the wanna bes who buy aftermarket Type R and "R" decals and badges to make their fake... Civic Type Rs, Integra Type Rs, Eclipse Type Rs, Accord Type Rs, Saturn Type Rs, 200SX Type Rs, Sentra Type Rs, Celica Type Rs, Miata Type Rs........
ghughes @ Feb 28th 2006 3:31PM
yet more ugliness from honda!
A_B @ Feb 28th 2006 4:04PM
Looks like a lemon.
Kamil @ Feb 28th 2006 4:13PM
As much as I love Hondas... man, this thing needs to be "un-pimped"
RayRay @ Feb 28th 2006 4:14PM
I think the Civic we have in the U.S. is a lot better than the Euro version. I agree with the rear suspension issue... why??? But that's only for Europe, and it's not on the ones we have here, I am not worried. With our Si, we wouldn't even need the Type-R since they both make the same amount of power.
IamAlwaysRight @ Feb 28th 2006 4:31PM
I am the biggest import fan as they come...I drive a '94 Toyota MR2 and my family owns nothing but Honda and Toyotas. I've owned 2 civics, one of which was highly modified and another DC integra which was also highly modified (mechanically, not exterior/aesthetics). That being said, I find this car incredibly ugly. My God, it actually made me physically cringe upon site of it. The cuts and headlight/taillight designs are cool but the overall egg shape just doesn't fit my mental image of the Type-R philosophy (despite hatchback tradition). My point is--there is only so far (exterior design wise) you can take the hatchback design. I always rag on the domestic manufacturers for their horrible styling choices (IMHO of course) but this is inexcusable. The last civic si (also the hatchback variety, also ugly egg shaped) and this design are a complete disaster. I'm dissapointed in Honda.
Tad @ Feb 28th 2006 4:52PM
That thing is just hideous! YUCK! Not to mention you have to rev the thing out to 7k rpm to get any hint of what little power it has out of it! Honda needs to stick with making fuel efficient commuter cars, thats all they are good at.
Ted K @ Feb 28th 2006 4:55PM
All you weenies pissing on about 200hp need to remember the Lotus. Power means *NOTHING* without considering how much mass it needs to move.
Ever think a Type R might have slightly less weight than its non-performance versions?
Just a thought.
Ted K @ Feb 28th 2006 4:58PM
Also, "unpimp" this thing?
This thing will kill the hefty-ass 3300lb, "powerful" 200hp GTI like it aint no thing. Get a clue.