Japan to get UK-built Civic Type-R hatchback in 2010
Honda Civic Type R hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery
One thing Honda fans in other countries have long had access to is the automaker's series of high end Type-R models. Unfortunately, here in the States, we've never been able to get Type-Rs, and that's a real shame. Currently in Japan, Honda is only offering the Civic Type-R as a sedan. However, early next year Japanese drivers will be able to get their mitts on the latest Type-R edition of the Honda Civic in three door hatchback form – but it won't be coming from a Japanese factory. Instead, the right-hand-drive 201 hp Civic will be arriving by boat from Swindon, England, which is the only Honda facility currently building the three-door hot hatch.
The Type-R gets a 2.0-liter i-VTEC four cylinder powerplant with a 7,800 rpm power peak and six-speed gearbox. Honda rates the 0-62 mph acceleration at 6.6 seconds with a 146 mile per hour terminal velocity. Inside, the front occupants are ensconced in some serious sport seats bolstered in Alcantara suede. Yes, we're jealous.
Gallery: Honda Civic Type-R
[Source: Honda]
PRESS RELEASE:
European Manufactured Civic Type R to be Sold in Japan
The British-built Civic Type R will be exported to Japan from next year. The acclaimed 3-door hot hatch, manufactured at Honda's factory in Swindon, England, is to be shipped to Japan where it will go on sale during 2010.
The model will be called the Type R EURO, to distinguish it from the Japanese-market 4-door Civic Type R saloon, and will be sold in limited numbers.
Japan is the third country outside Europe to import this high-revving hot hatch with the red 'H' badge, following Australia and South Africa. The demand for the European-produced car in Honda's domestic market is testament to the dedication and skill of Associates at Honda's largest European factory - the only production facility in the world that builds the Civic Type R 3-door.
Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) also builds the 5-door Civic, Civic Type S and CR-V for Europe and will start production of the Jazz, this Autumn.
Japan also imported the previous Swindon-built Civic Type-R (EP3 model) in 2001.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Pat 9:32AM (8/07/2009)
We've never been able to get Type-R's? Um...what about the Integra Type-R?
And based on Fifth or Top Gear (forget which one), apparently the Civic Type-R sedan is significantly better than the UK Civic Type-R hatch.
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John 9:45AM (8/07/2009)
damnit! Why wouldn't they let the US have this one too??? Yes, we may have had the Teg-R 10 years ago... but how about letting the US have another R?? ...Hasn't the wait been long enough?!
Eddie 9:54AM (8/07/2009)
I would have bought the Civic Type R sedan if it was available in the US. That is a very hot car. Honda/Acura is so boring now, I miss the RSX Type S and Intgera Type R.
Bloke 10:06AM (8/07/2009)
"And based on Fifth or Top Gear (forget which one), apparently the Civic Type-R sedan is significantly better than the UK Civic Type-R hatch." - Pat
Only because of the difference in the rear suspension - and most people in ordinary daily driving conditions wouldn't notice the difference.
Personally, I'd go with the hatchback - simply because I've always loved the hot hatchback genre. The Type-R brings back the kind of raw excitement which the 205GTi 1.9 brought to the table in the mid 80's.
summazooma 10:10AM (8/07/2009)
The product planner who pitched an American Type R (and the Zanardi Edition NSX) doesn't work there anymore...
IK 10:40AM (8/07/2009)
it's their way of punishing us for not buying enough NSXs
C.D. Ward 9:35AM (8/07/2009)
"Unfortunately, here in the States, we've never been able to get Type-Rs"
Um, actually we got the original Integra Type R from 97 to 2001.
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Heimbachae 9:39AM (8/07/2009)
Hah so you guys DO admit an Acura is an overpriced Honda!!!!
I'll take my VW any day over that piece.
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Rich 9:44AM (8/07/2009)
A VW is an overpriced Skoda.
kfj 9:53AM (8/07/2009)
Good try but Honda owns Acura and VW owns Skoda
Heimbachae 9:57AM (8/07/2009)
p.s. \sarcasm
summazooma 10:03AM (8/07/2009)
Yeah, overpriced, with a hand-built engine, the then-highest specific output normally aspirated engine on the market (topped by the S2000), a heavily reinforced structure and deemed to be the best handling front wheel drive car in the world by various media outlets... for less than a Corrado (Not the actual transaction price; I could have bought a Corrado VR6 for under $15K at one point, which begs a few questions...)
Oh, and I don't recall any issues related to CEL (only a VW owner would know what that is) , bad coils, mass air flow sensors, etc. as I was subjected to as a VW driver.
Nah,... that TY-R was a true heap ;), which is why an unmodified one (Really wish goon-hoons would stop trying to "improve" something so rare; Start with a GS-R instead, if you want to mod an Integra) is still worth more than for what I could have bought that new Corrado VR6
summazooma 10:08AM (8/07/2009)
Aahhhh,... sarcasm. How 'bout some emoticons so it's a touch more obvious?
zamafir 11:19AM (8/07/2009)
This splits the difference between the GTI and R32 (a little quicker than the GTI, slower than the R32) and costs more than either. It'll handle better and be less enjoyable for daily driving. Each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Rev 1:52PM (8/07/2009)
Are we talking about the Wabbit? There seem to be so many better options, I don't see why a She-W is even up for discussion.
I agree with the rest here, I'll take a Japanese (or American) offering over the Wabbit (though my little sister would LOVE one!)
But then again, I would never buy a FWD car. Ain't no kind of fun being dragged around by the front wheels and ain't too nice to put all the work on those two alone...
Rich 9:49AM (8/07/2009)
Heck, just bring us the hatchback -- never mind Type-R. And put a diesel in it while you're at it!
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David 11:43AM (8/07/2009)
Amen. It's such a great-looking car (much better than the sedan), and has much of the same "magic seat" functionality of the Jazz/Fit.
zamafir 12:32PM (8/07/2009)
Honda will never listen to you. Thankfully, the Golf TDIs will be here in two months.
Rich 12:38PM (8/07/2009)
Zamafir: you're right. They can't listen, because they don't have a feedback form on their site.
Master Lee 10:06AM (8/07/2009)
Regarding VW, I'll take a Japanese-built car over a Mexican-built car all day long. Cheers.
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