Honda Civic Type-R sedan pacing Japanese F1 GP
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
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
darkmaster2014 10:51AM (8/06/2009)
the civic type r looks more sicker compared to the civic si we get here and it has a nice wing compared to the small one on the civic si
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KT 9:26AM (10/04/2006)
looks alot like the acura csx (the canadian's exclusive acura).
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Cypher09 9:34AM (10/04/2006)
Keep the hatch in Europe and bring this to NA.
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Hamud 10:03AM (10/04/2006)
It's the japanese Civic that gets the Acura badge in Canada.
Anyway, is a very f. nice car.
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Leo 5:02PM (10/10/2006)
looks better thanthe Civic version we got here. this frontend at least is ok, and not horrificly ugly like the current one
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Car chops and Discussion 10:02AM (10/04/2006)
not a fan of Honda's at all..
but that one looks decent
http://www.carchops.com
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Bert 10:40AM (10/04/2006)
The Acura CSX that we get up here is basically the european Accord.
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Ted K 10:40AM (10/04/2006)
"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.
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Opposite Lock 11:30AM (10/04/2006)
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...
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Santino 11:30AM (10/04/2006)
Bert, isnt the european accord the TSX that we have here in North america?
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Kazuya 11:33AM (10/04/2006)
Hell yeah this is the model they've released in Oz. Hopefully it's a sign that they'll finally release the CTR locally!
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Kokomo 1:14AM (10/05/2006)
HUH? Is this Civic planning to fill in for the Mercedes CLK AMG that's normally the safety car?
Official car and red flag car... hmm, or are they saying it's not fast enough to be a safety car... I don't think Bernd Maylander would have too much fun driving a front drive car with only 220bhp when he's used to a 450+hp rear drive AMG to whack down the straights.
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andybee 12:59PM (10/04/2006)
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)
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Stumpy 1:26PM (10/04/2006)
Looks alot like the Current Mugen 4 Door Civic. I like it a lot.
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Ben Levy 1:50PM (10/04/2006)
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.
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2009 Mustang 2:44PM (10/04/2006)
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?
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Bert 2:25PM (10/04/2006)
Santino,
Yeah, I think I messed that one up.
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Big Al 2:31PM (10/04/2006)
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.
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stj 5:06PM (10/04/2006)
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.
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Eric 7:41PM (10/04/2006)
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.
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