Click to enlarge
UPDATE: Press release, hi-res photo gallery added
The 'R' in Type-R stands for 'racing,' so the deciders for Formula 1 thought it best to name the Civic Type-R Prototype as the official vehicle for this week's Japan Grand Prix. The four-door prototype has been given the go ahead for production and will likely hit dealers in its home country in late 2007. The overall shape bears significant resemblance to the current Civic sold stateside, however a revised front and rear fascia give the JDM Civic a bit more flow, when compared to its angular sibling abroad. Motivation will come in the form of a 2-liter, inline-four, producing upwards of 220 HP and sending power through a six-speed manual.
The race, to be held at the world-famous Suzuka Circuit in the Mie Prefecture, is the second to last race of the season and may prove to be one of the most entertaining races of the year. With a course rife with passing opportunities and the two leaders, Schumacher and Alonso, running neck-and-neck in points, we've already planned our Sunday around the race and even if you're not into F1, this may be the race to see.
(Photo gallery, press release after the jump)
[Source: Honda]
GALLERY:
Click any image to enlarge
PRESS RELEASE:
Civic Type R Prototype Named Official Car For 2006 F1 Japan Grand Prix
October 3, 2006 -- Honda Motor Co., Ltd., today announced that the prototype 4-door Civic Type R, the sports version of the Honda Civic, has been selected as the official car for the 2006 F1 Japan Grand Prix, to be held at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie prefecture, Japan, october 6-8, 2006. A production model, currently under development, is scheduled for release in japan in spring 2007.
The 4-door Civic Type R prototype, fitted with a 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC engine with an output of 220PS and a specially tuned sport suspension, delivers exhilirating driving performance in keepting with its bold, dynamic styling.
In addition to serving as the official car (red flag car) for the F1 Japan Grand Priz, the Civic R prototype will also be on display at Honda's exhibit at Suzuka Circuit.
Civic Type R Prototype (4-door) Specifications
Engine: 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC
Output: over 220PS
Dimensions (L x W x H): 4,540 x 1,771, x 1,425mm
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
KT @ Oct 4th 2006 9:26AM
looks alot like the acura csx (the canadian's exclusive acura).
Cypher09 @ Oct 4th 2006 9:34AM
Keep the hatch in Europe and bring this to NA.
Car chops and Discussion @ Oct 4th 2006 10:02AM
not a fan of Honda's at all..
but that one looks decent
http://www.carchops.com
Hamud @ Oct 4th 2006 10:03AM
It's the japanese Civic that gets the Acura badge in Canada.
Anyway, is a very f. nice car.
Bert @ Oct 4th 2006 10:40AM
The Acura CSX that we get up here is basically the european Accord.
Ted K @ Oct 4th 2006 10:40AM
"the R stands for racing"?
according to who?
honda's actually never given a definition for their R's, either in single R or double RR form. it's just the ricers and wikipedia that think it means racing.
i'll wait for honda's definition or just be content with the letters alone.
Opposite Lock @ Oct 4th 2006 11:30AM
I sure hope there isn't a Safety Car period this race, because this is not fast enough. The F1 cars won't be able to keep their tires warm behind this. There is a raeson that they normally use a CLK55 AMG...
Santino @ Oct 4th 2006 11:30AM
Bert, isnt the european accord the TSX that we have here in North america?
Kazuya @ Oct 4th 2006 11:33AM
Hell yeah this is the model they've released in Oz. Hopefully it's a sign that they'll finally release the CTR locally!
andybee @ Oct 4th 2006 12:59PM
to clairfy.... North American Acura TSX is the EU Accord. The EU Civic has the Canadian Acura CSX front and rear. (not sure if this is applicable to non Type R JDM Civic)
Stumpy @ Oct 4th 2006 1:26PM
Looks alot like the Current Mugen 4 Door Civic. I like it a lot.
Ben Levy @ Oct 4th 2006 1:50PM
That looks much better than the Civic Si sedan we're going to get. Why does Honda hate us? I think it's punishment for the abuse that the "R" took in America.
Bert @ Oct 4th 2006 2:25PM
Santino,
Yeah, I think I messed that one up.
Big Al @ Oct 4th 2006 2:31PM
Can someone talk Honda into making an R version of the Accord? This Civic is quite possibly the nicest looking Honda I've ever seen, although I would prefer a more subtle rear wing.
2009 Mustang @ Oct 4th 2006 2:44PM
Is this going to be the main pace car for this race? I'm surprised the Stewarts would allow this as I thought F1 used a Mercedes as the pace car? I guess Honda paid big bucks for this spot?
stj @ Oct 4th 2006 5:06PM
There is all ready a R version of the accord in japan
its the ACCORD EURO R it has a 2 liter 4 cylinder that make's 220bhp.
Eric @ Oct 4th 2006 7:41PM
To Further Clarify.
Canadian Acura CSX IS the Honda Civic in Japan. Or the Type R version you see posted. Also the Honda Civic we have here is the So called "North American" version in our Honda Dealers. Which is like the Same one in the U.K. The Real "CIVIC" is actually the one in your Acura Dealer "CSX".
- Whoever said a CSX was like a ACcord. Buddy u need too go do a rain check on that.
The Real accord here in "North America" is called a "Acura TSX" And in Japan its called Honda Accord. Different names same thing. And yes the TSX has a "R" version. Its called the Honda Accord Euro R.
330R @ Oct 4th 2006 9:14PM
#6, Ted K...
Without attempting to explain the obvious, I'll let two uploaded scans of an Integra Type-R brochure do the talking.
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/5691/itr05eb5.jpg
(read about halfway down)
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6525/itr14of9.jpg
PiCASSO @ Oct 4th 2006 9:33PM
Exterior is nice...
Only if the interior wasn't Star Trek Enterprise.
Wished it looked more like the TSX or TL.
330R @ Oct 4th 2006 9:35PM
#1, it's really the other way around: the Acura CSX is based off the European and Japanese Civic sedan styling. They came first.
#3, someone constantly soliciting their automotive website shouldn't show bias against certain makes. It's confusing, too, since you have the European Civic Type-R Concept in the banner.
#4, they're not exactly the same, because Canada's CSX gets the K20A3, rated at 155hp. This is the engine from the last-gen American Civic Si and base Acura RSX. The JDM and EDM Civics do not offer this engine.
#7, you're right. The CTR is the "Official Car", but not the FIA Formula One Safety Car. In the press release, you'll see it referred to in parenthesis as the "red flag" car. During red flag periods, the field of race cars is stopped, or sent to the pitlane. The Safety Car, a Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG, drives balls-out when pacing the field. The CTR, while a great little car I'm sure, can't manage that without being unsafe IMO.
#12, what punishment did the "R" take in America? They sold in limited quantities, which was the plan. In 1997'-98, and 2000-'01, there were 3,850 Integra Type-Rs sold in the US. They are a classic in the sport compact world, and have a storied racing record, among which being the winningest car in SCCA Speed World Challenge history. From an owner standpoint, they are super reliable, as are the other 3rd generation Integras. They also have very strong resale value. The only real problem with the ITR is the theft rate. Swappable drivetrain and suspension parts have their drawbacks. :(
@15, no big bucks involved, unlike Toyota's big bucks to steal away the Japanese Grand Prix @ Suzuka from all the fans who love the circuit, and all the drivers who love it just the same. Thanks Toyota! Thanks Bernie! Anyway, no Civic Type-R Safety Car...