U.S. to get Honda Civic Type-R?
We might not get another Acura RSX, but as it turns out, that might not be such a bad thing. AutoWeek spotted the Honda Civic Type-R testing in Germany recently (pictured), and had a deep thought: the publication is predicting hoping that the Type-R, the tippy-top model in the Civic lineup, may be making its way to this side of The Pond.
Here's why: in an effort to take aim at BMW, Acura is moving upscale, leaving a Type-R -sized hole where the RSX used to operate. The production Type-R, powered by a 220 hp 2.0L four-cylinder, is set to premiere at the London Motor Show.
Similar statements have been made about the Civic Si as the RSX's replacement, but we're hoping AutoWeek is right and we're not left out of the loop on the Type-R yet again.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
doug 11:50AM (6/15/2006)
That ugly turd?! Keep it. Hope the new Evo rocks cuz Honda performance is dead (unless you can drive with your eyes closed).
Look at Honda's recent styling:
Accord - big butt, boring the rest of the way around
Element - nuff said
Ridgeline - what the hell is THAT?!
RL - I am paying HOW MUCH for this puffed up Accord?
Civic Si - let's face it, it ain't pretty especially the rear
RDX - Park it next to a CX-7 and you'll see
CRV - doesn't look good......
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Redwood 11:51AM (6/15/2006)
Hopefully it will be the engine and not the car, because that is U-G-L-Y.
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PJ 11:56AM (6/15/2006)
It'd be about time. Obviously, high-strung enthusiast cars are never likely to be high-volume sellers. But this car has become a lust object for an entire generation of import fans, and I can't believe it's taken Honda this long to (possibly) cash in on that following and win some brand loyalists.
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dreesemonkey 11:57AM (6/15/2006)
I still don't know why we haven't gotten any of the Civic type Rs. People are/were paying a premium for the new Si, so it's not like there is no market for premium, performance oriented small cars. I'd be happy to see it, hoping to usher in a wave of hot hatches.
The GTI can screw itself, it weighs more than my Volvo S70.
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Non-Bizarro Adam 12:03PM (6/15/2006)
When I clicked on the link and saw the car I threw up a little bit in my mouth......
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Woody 12:05PM (6/15/2006)
Have you ever noticed how most Honda's looks get better with time? At first they are ugly and then in 2 years they are in style. But with that said this car is Double UGLY.
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DJA 12:11PM (6/15/2006)
Unless that is the most effective spy camo yet, that thing is amazingly ugly! No matter was motor they use, it won't be fast enough to compensate for that look.
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Sid 12:11PM (6/15/2006)
This car is ugly. Even the new Si looks better and that's saying something. The RSX A-Spec was hot.
I'll take the Mazdaspeed3, thanks!
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points and plugs 12:13PM (6/15/2006)
Maybe this is one of those cars where you either "love it or hate it". I looked at the pics and thought the thing looked great.
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Hung2 12:15PM (6/15/2006)
"Here's why: in an effort to take aim at BMW, Acura is moving upscale" Moving upscale? WTF!! Wasn't the whole idea behind Acura to be more upscale than Honda?? Instead we get - hard plastics in the interior,bland designs,all wheel drive instead of RWD, NO V8 engines and STUPID car names!!! I know we've harped on this time and time and time again but if Acura wants to move UPSCALE then get with the friggin progam boys! Until you introduce RWD, V8 motors and more attractive designs you'll just continue to be children playing in the automotive sandbox of competitiveness.
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Cameron 12:20PM (6/15/2006)
/agree with points and plugs. I love it! I'm a sucker for hatchbacks, though. I just hope it isn't as large as it appears to be.
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villainy 12:22PM (6/15/2006)
Remember when the RSX first appeared? Kinda looked like this, then they shortened it a bit and stretched it a bit and it looked 10x better. I think Honda could do the same thing with this car and the looks would be greatly improved.
Sid: Agreed, let me know when you get that 3 I'll trade you my first born son for it. Well maybe not, but after driving a Mazaspeed 6 and MX-5 I can't imagine something with the Mazdaspeed badge being anything but an assload of fun.
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wayne 12:38PM (6/15/2006)
The Civic in the picture is probably not coming to the U.S. because that's a European Civic body style, built in the U.K. Honda went with a radically different body style for its European Civic to try and capture the youth market there. If Honda's going to launch a Type R Civic here, it would most likely look like the U.S. spec Civic.
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CrunchyCookie 1:03PM (6/15/2006)
Passe. In today's world, $25K buys you 5-seconds WRXs, 350Zs, and Mustang GTs driven by the correct set of wheels.
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Peter 1:10PM (6/15/2006)
I actually really like the looks of the Civic 5 door hatch in previous reviews, but they didn't have the extra plastic tacked on. This makes it look pretty bad.
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djSyndrome 1:27PM (6/15/2006)
It's still driving the wrong wheels.
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risingsun 1:42PM (6/15/2006)
#1: If you have been paying attention to the other Honda news posted on the site, the possibility of an Acura-badged Evo killer is very real. Honda performance dead? How about the new Civic Si having the same lateral grip as a C6 (non Z06) Corvette? Or the V10 powered NSX just over the horizon? Or how about all of those TSXs and RSXs campaigned by RealTime Racing that are dominating SPEED Touring Car? 9 Time world champions I might add. And that's against RWD BMWs by the way.
The hatchback is ugly because it's a UK design, and everyone in the UK is ugly so they love it! I won't argue the styling is awful. But, in automotive history, the the designs and cars that are remembered the most are always the ones with "love it or hate it" styling. I think the TSX is sexy though.
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Peter 1:46PM (6/15/2006)
Here is the review of the non type-R. Looks much better than the type-R with all the plastic bits. I think it looks better than the current model avaialable in North America:
http://www.wintonsworld.com/cars/a-cars-2005/honda-civic.html
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mickster 2:01PM (6/15/2006)
Show me a 25K 350Z or WRX. Maybe you'll find a Mustang GT if the dealer hasn't marked it up $5000.
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Andy 3:18PM (6/15/2006)
The 2006 WRX TR is actually only $23,900 and is 0-60 in 5.8
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