Civic Type-R ready for gravel assault
JAS Motorsport is in the process of working over its Honda-sanctioned Civic Type-R for lucky, privateer rally teams. Details on the Group-A machine are scarce, but the company insists that the modifications made to the Civic will meet the FIA's standards through 2007.
JAS gives its customers the option of purchasing individual parts, incorporated kits or a full turnkey vehicle, manufactured by the company.
More pictures of the exterior, interior and engine bay are posted after the jump, and you can read up on a few more details by following this link over to the Temple of VTEC.
[Source: Temple of VTEC via Jalopnik]
We just found this photo thrown in with the rest of the shots and thought you'd appreciate it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
lavardera 11:25AM (12/08/2006)
I would appreciate if we could turn this thread into a complaint fest about why honda does not sell a civic hatch in the USA.
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Jro 11:29AM (12/08/2006)
we complain that we don't get their cars, they complain that they don't get our cars... these are really played out and annoying comments!
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Lucas 11:39AM (12/08/2006)
This isn't a jab (because I like the Civic) but can you rally competently with a FWD car against AWD superstars like the EVO and STI? Or did they shove some specially made transmission and rear differential in there?
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Solar 11:42AM (12/08/2006)
What is up with that fake scoop on the roof?!
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Dan 11:46AM (12/08/2006)
Gives a new meaning to the creole dish...Dirty Rice!
I like.
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Dan 11:46AM (12/08/2006)
Oh, and the fake scoop is to bring fresh air into the interior, especially in dusty rallies.
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Cheezedog 11:49AM (12/08/2006)
Solar, thats how Rally Cars do air conditioning. It's too power expensive have a normal air condition system, so they use have as many points as possible into the cab to cool it off.
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hondacura 12:55PM (12/08/2006)
The only way this Civic Type R will come here if they change the front (headlights) cause it fits more with the Acura line up than Honda. So, dream on. It will never happen.
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Brian 12:29PM (12/08/2006)
Man I wish that car would come to America, that way instead of having a 197 hp Civic SI, we can get a 197 hp Civic Typer-R...because that would be so much cooler...
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ME 1:13PM (12/08/2006)
"This isn't a jab (because I like the Civic) but can you rally competently with a FWD car against AWD superstars like the EVO and STI?"
There is a class for FWD naturally aspirated cars, which is what I would assume this car is homologated for.
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J 2:58PM (12/08/2006)
^ right there is a whole class for SRT-4s, FWD celica's...
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lavardera 2:13PM (12/08/2006)
Jro, with all due respect, I think it won't be played out until we have a civic hatch in the usa.
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Matt Dell 2:18PM (12/08/2006)
I think a lot of people need to read up on rally before commenting on this one.
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robert 3:43PM (12/08/2006)
This gen of Civics are ugly compared to the now deceased Integra (RSX).
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Hyundai car owner 3:55PM (12/08/2006)
What the....
very UGLY.
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sean c 4:08PM (12/08/2006)
FWD vs AWD.... Didn't FOrd create an AWD drivetrain for the Focus in WRC? The Focus did VERY well against it's Evo, STI, Peugeot, and Citroen enemies....
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Scott 4:55PM (12/08/2006)
8. "Man I wish that car would come to America, that way instead of having a 197 hp Civic SI, we can get a 197 hp Civic Typer-R...because that would be so much cooler..."
While I'm sure you're proud of your cute, wisenheimer comment, you forget that there are people who prefer the added utility of a hatchback, as well as those who prefer the styling of this car, whether you do or not. Take a look at the sport compact market in recent years and you'll see an ever increasing number of 3 and 5 door hatchback models.
So, Honda offers the US a 197bhp Civic Si coupe and a 197bhp Civic Si sedan. Let's take the way-back machine to 1995. The top Civic models only had 125bhp (not including the del Sol VTEC); they were the EX coupe, EX sedan, and... whoa.. Si hatch.
From an engine power standpoint, the current Civic Si could be considered on the Civic Type-R level, or at least the European CTR level, as the JDM CTR sedan will have in excess of 220ps (rumored to be closer to 240ps) when it's introduced next spring. Actually both the North American and European models are too loaded with content to really fit the Type-R moniker IMO.
Cliff's Notes: There is room in the Civic lineup for this hatch. It doesn't have to be called Type-R.
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curtis 5:46PM (12/08/2006)
I don't get the complaints about which civic we ended up with. I like the Civic SI coupe so much better than the UK's Hatch, it's such an odd looking car, not to say it's ugly, I just think the coupe looks better. Now the sedan, that one is kind of ugly.
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Scott 6:08PM (12/08/2006)
I don't see anyone complaining about the existence of the Civic Si coupe. I see some people wanting the hatchback, as well.
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Monkeyboy 2:00AM (12/10/2006)
I'm not sure many people realize the difference chasis wise between a normal civic and a type, extra engineering is employed to improve stability. Geometery is ajusted and braking performance and the whole package is engineered to make a quick street legal race car. Just because hte new Si's have an amazing 197bhp does not mean they (unmodified) have the capabilities of the type-r model. And yes it owuld be nice if they brought the model to the US, but i wouldn't hold your breath,
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