During a recent press drive of the Euro-market Civic Type R, Winding Road's European editor Matt Davis appears to have gotten unofficial confirmation that Honda will be offering a Type R variant of the U.S. model Civic in 2010. Speaking with an unnamed assistant chief engineer, Davis learned that the car we'll get is likely based on the Japanese Domestic Market Civic Type R, which is a four-door sedan rather than the Euro market's three-door hatchback. Since Honda already sells the four-door Civic in the States and not the Euro hatchback, this only makes sense. Davis' source also revealed the car would receive a horsepower boost and limited-slip differential. We imagine any car wearing the Type R badge would also lose some weight, as well.
While we do appreciate Honda offering the Civic Si here in the U.S., especially the four-door version, it's high-revving 2.0L enginer producing 197 hp is easily outmatched by many of its competitors that have crested the 200 hp mark and then some. The closest thing Honda has right now to what we'll eventually get in the U.S. is this prototype four-door Type R Civic (shown above) based on the JDM model. It was used as the official pace car for the 2006 F1 Japan Grand Prix and is the prototype for the four-door Civic Type R that will be on sale in Japan this year.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Drew3k @ Feb 27th 2007 5:22PM
It looks good! The headlights look like the ones from the ion red line, but they look better on this car. I don't see what the big difference is between the Si and the Type-R. 8hp? Who cares?
Cameron @ Feb 27th 2007 5:24PM
The new Si sedan and coupe are plenty sporty, I'll take a new CRX over a US-bound Type R. Plus, a Type R Civic sedan would approach WRX TR prices, and even as Honda fan, I'd still take the turbo AWD WRX over a Type R Civic.
Bring back the CRX!
djSyndrome @ Feb 27th 2007 5:26PM
If it's MY 2010, that would be the last year of the current generation Civic - there's no way Honda would spend all of that money to bring the T-R over for only one year. If it's CY 2010, that fall would be the first year of the 9th generation Civic, and the 'new' Type-R wouldn't even be out in Japan yet, since Type-R's are normally about a year to 18 months behind.
Based on the date alone, I'd say this is suspect, at best.
David @ Feb 27th 2007 5:31PM
Mehhh whatever... Won't budge my love affair with my current Mazdaspeed3... (which sticks your neck to the seat @ 2500rpm and not 6000 !).
Hondafan @ Feb 27th 2007 5:42PM
I scartch my head in bewilderment as to why Honda is so gun shy about bringing to the US market a really kick ass sports car. My only guess is that they don't want to screw with their Green image by having the best overal MPG of any car manufacturer.
3rdgear=heaven @ Feb 27th 2007 5:47PM
David, I'll second that emotion. I'm in love. Can't wait to see the Type R in my rearview.
Howard Kerr @ Feb 27th 2007 5:48PM
"...which sticks your neck to the seat..."
Me? I'd want the acceleration of a car to stick my butt to the seat. Must be kind of hard driving your way.
With several years to produce a working prototype, I don't understand why Honda can't do like what it does in Europe...take a two door (in this case NOT a hatchback) strip it down a bit, inject it with a dew more horses, paint it a special color and charge a bit extra for the "privilege to buy it.
I am curious to know how popular the 4 door Si is compared to the 2 door and if the numbers are being manipulated. That is, are dealers "flooded" with 4 doors while 2 doors are scarce...or vice versa?
damanteo @ Feb 27th 2007 6:00PM
then it's just the csx type-s up north?
Hondacura @ Feb 27th 2007 6:08PM
i'll believe this when Temple of Vtec post the info.
Also I agree wit djsyndrome. Unless 2010 is the last model year of the current Civic which is possible. I can see Honda offering it for the last year of this model. Typical of Honda.
A shame they don't give it to us now.
Jeremy @ Feb 27th 2007 6:16PM
Why is everyone getting worked up about a 200 hp Civic??? I'm no Dodge fan, nor am I a big fan of the Caliber, but the SRT-4 will pump out 300 hp from about the same size engine with a standard limited slip. What's so great about a 200 hp Civic? Even the Solstice GXP/Sky Redline do 260 hp and equal torque. Why is it that imports ALWAYS have significantly less torque than they do hp? But it's ok, brag about the Honda because it's a Honda instead of looking at the specs.
R @ Sep 16th 2007 7:38PM
Hmm, who's not looking at the specs? You're comparing a 2.4L turbocharged engine to a naturally aspirated 2L. Of course the 2.4 FI is going to blow the 2 NA out of the water in terms of power.
The caliber is also a lot heavier than the neon it replaced. It's expected to be 3200 pounds, while the Type-R will be 2800. And the caliber has a drag coefficient of .375, which is pretty damn high. Sorry, but to me, the Neon SRT-4 was much better overall. The caliber looks like a sporty minivan.
Just for clarification, the JDM Type-R gets 225 horses, not 200.
Accordsforall @ Feb 27th 2007 6:31PM
Hmmmm
There are a dozen other auto companies that make their best cars in Europe, Brazil, Japan, Austrailia (GM, Ford, Chrysler / DCX / M-B, VW, BMW), and thats not even mentioning the better European companies.. that would woop the domestics if their cars came here.
As far as the front clip from the Civic is compared to the Ion.. Dont. They dont look anything alike. I can name a dozen cars.. with that same bubble in the front lights.. the TL is just one of them.
My only hope.. is that they bring over the Accord Type R in Sedan and Estate form. Not to mention the better version of the Ody and stream.. the next gen Fit / Jazz.. and fix the front clip of the Ridgeline
Kunal @ Feb 27th 2007 6:36PM
10. Why is everyone getting worked up about a 200 hp Civic??? Why is it that imports ALWAYS have significantly less torque than they do hp? But it's ok, brag about the Honda because it's a Honda instead of looking at the specs.
Posted at 6:16PM on Feb 27th 2007 by Jeremy
Ever heard of a Mazdaspeed 3? 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The hot hatch market is cornered by the Europeans, and we don't get any of those in the US except the Golf R32, which isn't shy of torque either.
naggs @ Feb 27th 2007 6:40PM
"I scartch my head in bewilderment as to why Honda is so gun shy about bringing to the US market a really kick ass sports car."
maybe its because for the price, they arent really all that kick ass. the bang for buck factor is changing by the year, todays MS3 is yesterdays rsx. by 2010, the sport compact market could be ruled by 250 hp rwd coups. i dont know how a 220ish hp fwd 4 door civic will do in a market like that.
BTW, am i the only one who thinks its completly retard that they would only bring the 4 door type r? why go to great legenths shaving weight and turning a car into a hardcore racer while making it a family friendly 4 door? seems like most people in the market for a type R wouldn't be looking to use it as a people hauler. honda should be looking at 2 seats (new CRX is a total no brainer) rather than 4 doors.
R @ Sep 16th 2007 7:45PM
You'd be surprised. I was. There's a huge market for people who want performance vehicles but aren't willing to sacrifice practicality. It's the modern mass market. A lot of my friends simply won't get a 2 door vehicle, and want a 4 door. I think it's kind of retarded, but whatever. A few of them track, most do not.
My friend has a 4 door m3 and keeps giving me crap about having only 2 doors (which I just shrug off, because I know it's retarded), claiming some mumbo jumbo about being able to haul in more chicks per car, ha.
Accordsforall @ Feb 27th 2007 6:42PM
Hmmm
And the front clip that is shown.. isnt even the Japanese version. Its the EUROPEAN VERSION!
How do I know.. cause the front clip's lights cover the front end totally. And there is no.. "bubble lights".
And dotn forget that the DODGE NEON / SRT4 is canned.. cause it was a POS. The Caliber is the next little cum sucker from DCX. Cause.. they cant figure out how to produce a decent 3box sedan.
But dont compare the old SRT4 with the new one.. they arent even similar. Not the frame.. the engine might be... but thats it.
As for why the Civic is a big deal.. cause its the last bastion of hope for a decent FWD powerful sedan. Instead of the little boy racer cum sucker.. otherwise known as the EVO 9 and or WRX STI.
MikeW @ Feb 27th 2007 6:45PM
Raise the bottom, not the top.
6 speed manual for the regular civics
http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsID/2070129.006/page/8/lang/eng/country/jcf/honda/honda-civic-type-r-and-type-s-in-depth
138hp on 95 RON fuel for the R18A1, seemslike honda is stretching the truth again.
The civic automatic has gearing set up for the 2 liter version of the R series engine, the Fit's gearing/axle ratio would work way better with the R18A1.
The headlights are already plenty poor, why would they downgrade them to dual beams.
The micro 10.3" brakes have to go, the 11.1" for the regular models
and maybe some big tires, say 225/50 16 for stick models, the Si needs 225/45 17
Traction control, stability and brake assist, wow that would add $100 to the price of the car, install it.
Accordsforall @ Feb 27th 2007 6:48PM
Hmmm
Its a proven fact.. coupes are a fickle market. I can name a DOZEN that have gonen by the wayside..
NSX, RSX, Legend Coupe, Prelude, CRX, Del Sol, , SC400, SC430 the Camry Solara is being canned. Then there is the T/A and Camaro and the Supra, Celica and Tercel all round out the 2dr market.. for the coupe.
The Coupe market.. is a fickle one. If Honda can make a sedan.. with the same purposes that a coupe is asked for.. THEN SO BE IT.
doglet @ Feb 27th 2007 6:51PM
the reason to buy a type r is because it is the track version. the engines, although not producing much more power, are more responsive and better set up for the track. the weight reduction, stiffer suspension and sticky tires is where the real performance comes from.
4 door type r doesnt make sense to me. are the 4 door civic si selling well? how do they compare to the 2 door civic si?
Ivan @ Feb 27th 2007 6:52PM
Maybe they'll drop the K24 oh-so-popular swap in there.
I'd really like that in my S2k though :) S2k Type-R please? Pretty please?