With the all-new European Honda Accord set to debut next month in Geneva, word is that buyers will be disappointed to hear there are apparently no plans to launch a high-performance Type-R version of the new chassis. Honda does not feel the all-new model fits the Type-R brand, adding that the new European Accord is designed to propel the company into competing with the likes of BMW and Audi. Honda does have plans to release Accords with modified suspension and body kits, but with standard engines, much like Audi does with its S-line models.
UPDATE: New images added to the gallery. click above for more high-res images of the Honda Sports Modulo Civic Type-R
Honda is bringing a trifecta of tricked-out, Modulo-fettled concepts to the Tokyo Auto Salon, and this Civic Type-R takes the track-ready nature of the base model to the next level.
The concept is fitted with 19-inch Modulo wheels wrapped in 225/35 R19 R-compound tires and a revised suspension, along with a new front fascia, rear bumper, side skirts and wing. The checkered livery speaks to its track-friendly nature, but the inside of the Civic Type-R is what gains the most attention. Honda replaced several interior panels with carbon fiber components and fitted custom Recaro seats, a new dash display and an F1-inspired steering wheel with integrated shift lights. It's function following form with a perfect blend of track-ready gear and street-legal mods. We likey.
Every automaker has its own subset of dedicated enthusiasts, with varying levels of obsessive behavior. Honda is no different. Take away the misinformed ricers, and Honda's racing heritage stands alone in a sea of commuter-infused mediocrity.
In order to recognize the Big H's engineering prowess and its motorsports legacy, Honda has launched a new ad campaign in the UK that focuses on the automaker's obsessive compulsive attention to detail. Dubbed Hondamentalism, the idea is to forge a link between its racing successes and its consumer vehicles – hardly a new concept – but the way it's presented deserves a look. The new spot, posted after the jump, will give you a feel for the campaign as a whole, albeit in a somewhat melodramatic, Aphex Twin-influenced creative.
You can get your head into the campaign by heading over to the Hondamentalism website, and you can check out a brief run down on what the Red H is all about here.
The buff books across the pond have gotten their hands on the new Civic Type-R and for the first time, we're not particularly disappointed that we won't be getting Honda's hottest hatch.
Although both reviews we've read (links are at the bottom of the post) say that the new vehicle has made marginal improvements over its forbears, both Car and AutoCar seem to be less than impressed.
Power output has been increased by exactly one pony, but even with the revised VTEC engagement point and smoothed-out power band, the added heft took the thrill out of a previously thrilling vehicle. Additionally, the steering input was much more responsive when compared to the outgoing model, yet Honda decided to nix the Civic's independent rear suspension in favor of a torsion beam rear-end. One step forward, one step back.
Traditionally, Honda's R-badged offerings were made for a select group of enthusiasts, willing to sacrifice some amenities (A/C, sound deadening material, etc.) for a potent driving experience. Unfortunately, that ethos seems to be lost on this newest Type-R and, for the first time, we're wary of the future of Honda's performance division.
It's well known that the S2000 is nearing the end of its life cycle. The high revving drop top has provided enthusiasts of all stripes a perfect platform for track duty and the daily slog, but something has always been missing: a Type-R variant.
The Temple of VTEC had a copy of Best Car magazine translated from its native Japanese tongue to reveal plans that were originally developed in 2004 (and had been leaked in the past) which give details about a hardcore version of Honda's popular two-door convertible.
Back in 2004, Mugen rolled out their Fit Dynamite concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon, complete with a K20A swapped out of the JDM Integra Type-R.
This year, the tuners at Mugen decided to keep the exterior styling of the Dynamite concept, but fit it with a more manageable and, ultimately more cost-effective, supercharged 1.5-liter inline four. The tangerine five-door produces 143 HP at 5,800 RPM and 137 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 RPM, by way of a Roots-type blower.
Winding Road expects that the complete setup should be available later this year.
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.
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.
We're going to spare you the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth that seems to take place every time a new Type-R is released and the U.S. is left off the shipping invoice. It's safe to say that we're getting used to the disappointment, but when we compare the newly designed Euro-Civic to our own two- and four-door offerings, it feels like the knife gets twisted a little deeper into our gut.
For those of you who are blessed with slightly thicker skin and won't start sobbing uncontrollably at the unfair world in which we live, Honda was kind enough to produce a little montage of their new Civic Type-R as it sat on its stand in Paris. The video provides some drool-worthy shots of all the little details that adorn their newest FF-fun box.
The Type-R, for those of you who haven't already pored over the specs, will come equipped with a 2-liter, 200 hp inline-4 that will consume the sprint to 60 in about six and half seconds. The iVTEC powerplant will putter around like any other Honda until about 5,800 RPM, when the second cam lobe brings the engine to boil and proceeds to runs the tach to its 8k redline. A six-speed manual sends power to the seven-spoke, 18" alloys, wrapped in 225/40 rubber of unspecified origin. The interior benefits from Alcantara wrapped racing buckets, a three-spoke wheel, the love-it or hate-it, two-tier dash and a 'Start' button that allows the lucky owner to channel the part of the brain that controls racing ambitions.
In the meantime, we'll wallow in self-pity, occasionally asking why the Honda-Gods are angry with us, again.
Few publications around the world provide highly-improbable speculation better than the magazines that come out of Japan (AutoBild holds down the fort in Germany). While most of the information is easily dismissed as rumor mongering and baseless conjecture, a few gems often reside in the rough.
So with that said, our friend 'S' and the peeps over at the Temple of VTEC let loose some scans from the oh-so-Japanese entitled, HolidayAuto magazine. The details and stories foretell the future of Honda's lineup, albeit with information that is, at best, dubious.
Follow the jump to see all the scans and read deets translated by the original author's girlfriend. Enjoy with a grain of salt.
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