What would a 2012/3 Honda Civic Type R Look Like?

Why, www.theophiluschin.com is glad you asked....
These are my impression of the new Civic Type-R if Honda brings back this variant for Asia.

Source;

http://www.theophiluschin.com/?p=3820

On the road: Honda Civic Type R 2.0 i-VTec

This hot hatch is so bright, you've got to wear shades

Why do they always come in white, these hot hatches? Ouch! Even the wheel rims are white. And so white. Whiter not just than snow. Whiter not just than white. But whiter than a soap star's teeth. Normally, a pair of sunglasses are a standard accessory when dealing with a revved-up boy-mobile. But in the case of the ultra-white Honda Civic Type R, they're more a health and safety necessity. Tinted windows don't really do the trick – the dazzle from the bonnet on a sunny day could easily laser your eyeballs. A full crack dealer's blackout appears a more sensible option.

Sometimes it does seem as if the highways are jammed with broken heroes on a last-chance power drive. There they are in their Golf GTIs and Ford Focus RSs and Toyota Priuses (OK, just kidding about the last one), full of an aching desire to floor the accelerator and break free from… what? Suburban convention? Come on. Is there anything, aside from multiplex cinemas and DIY warehouse centres, more conventionally suburban than a hot hatch?

And now Honda is squeezing in on all those clogged arteries of the urban sprawl with its very own fat slice of road cholesterol. The Honda Civic Type R 2.0 i-VTec lacks the iconic frame of the GTI and the noisy styling of the RS. It also lacks their handling. But, as these sorts of cars go, it's not unattractive. Because, let's face it, ugliness is seen as an aesthetic virtue in this area of the car market, a mark of seriousness and authentic sense of purpose.

The Type R doesn't convince on this front. The rear spoiler hardly spoils the line of the boot. The front spoiler can barely muster a stroppy pout. Nothing really says, "Get out of the way or I'm going to ruin your life and terrorise your family" the way we've come to expect from a hot hatch. But there you go, times change and new fashions emerge, and we shouldn't necessarily assume that psychopathology should be the only suitable visual language for fast-accelerating hatchbacks.

Indeed, I found the brothel-red interior of the Type R almost cosy, as though Cynthia Payne had brought her distinctive eye to the seats and floor carpet. But it's the predominance of the rev counter on the dash that most boldly states the car's, or its notional owner's, true ambitions. It sits centre stage, all but daring the driver to see how far the indicator will swivel round the dial.
To what end, though? Where is it leading, this obsession with ordinary small cars being transformed into monsters of the suburban id? I mean, this town rips the bones from your back. It's a death trap, a suicide rap. We've got to get out while we're young. That said, the Type R is a joyride to drive, if a tad stiff in the suspension.

Source;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jan/09/honda-civic-type-r-review

Honda Releases the Civic TypeR Euro Premium Sports Model in Japan

Nope, this isn't for us in North America....

Looks like a special limited edition car to be sold, follow the link for more....
http://www.wheelsunplugged.com/ViewNews.aspx?newsid=4766#

Euro Honda Civic Mugen Type R Pricing Revealed

That's a nice looking car....
TDI plc launches full Mugen aftermarket product range for Honda Civic Type R FN2; Visual enhancements first release

Principal Mugen stockist and leading Japanese tuning house Torque Developments International Plc is pleased to announce that the full range of Honda Civic Type R FN2 upgrades are now available for the performance aftermarket.

Covering engine, chassis, braking and visual enhancements, the Mugen Civic Type R FN2 product range has been subject OEM style levels of arduous design, testing and quality control tests, ensuring that the Mugen FN2 product portfolio offers enthusiasts the ultimate in performance and reliability.

First launch from the Mugen range are FN2 the front and visual enhancements seen adorning the critically acclaimed Civic Type R Mugen concept. Lightweight, high quality and distinctive, the Mugen FN2 body styling provides a unique look, designed for the Honda connoisseur.

Mugen’s FN2 Honda Civic Type R visual enhancements include:

Front aero bumper – Part no: 62511-XLR-K0S0 – RRP £1150.60 – This incorporates large brake duct intakes, an aerodynamically shaped profile and a smooth undertray to decrease wind resistance while improving high speed stability.
Air intake garnish – Part no: 71140-XLR-K0S0 – RRP £234.38 – These triangular trims are installed into the front of the Mugen aero bumper to provide additional air channelling and improved visual appeal.
Front Sports grille – Part no: 75100-XLR-K0S0 – RRP £372.88 – A signature Mugen visual styling enhancement, the Sports grille combines great looks with a wind resistance reducing design.
Front Aero Fenders (pair) – Part no: 60200-XLR-K0S0 – RRP £852.29 – An aggressive frontal profile and rear hot air outlet help reduce underbonnet and front brake temperatures. A unique Mugen design in high strength, lightweight FRP.
Aero bonnet – Part no: 60100-XLR-K0S0 – RRP £1257.14 – Designed to perform, the Mugen Honda Civic Type R FN2 aero bonnet is equipped with large, functioning air outlets with a detachable air outlet inner cover. When open, the apertures allow more cool air through the engine bay, helping to lower underbonnet temperatures. Produced in high quality, weight saving FRP.
Rear Bumper – Part no: 84111-XLR-K0S0 – RRP £1044.07 – Muscular looks combine with the Type R’s twin exhaust outlets to create a distinctive rear look.
Rear Wing – Part no: 84112-XLR-K0S0 – RRP £1150.60 – Unmistakably Mugen, the FN2 Civic Type R rear wing provides a stunning look for Honda’s hottest hatchback. Adjustable in two places to suit driving conditions, the Mugen rear wing is made from ABS plastic, with an FRP base. Installation requires the removal of the original factory Civic Type R rear wing.

Source (via Autospies);
http://click2cars.com/2009/09/mugen-honda-civic-type-r-pricing-announced/

MUGEN Euro confirms Type R prototype development

This won't be coming to North America, so don't get too excited. (Although there were rumours at one point of the UK Civic coming here with an Acura badge....)
"In standard trim, the Civic Type R is a thrilling machine to drive," said Hiro Toyoda, Vice President of MUGEN EURO. "It is a fantastic base model from which we hope to develop one of the quickest point to point front-wheel-drive road cars in the country."

Toyoda san is referring to a prototype of a MUGEN EURO-developed Type R which is still in concept stage. MUGEN EURO is a subsidiary of the tuner with the same name but is based in Northampton, UK.

The car is being run on the same powertrain as the 2007 Civic MUGEN RR from Japan but will have its power and torque increased. That model had 240hp (177kW), was 10kg lighter than the standard model and was limited to only 300 units.

The brakes, the exhaust and suspension system are also being improved. Looks have been enhanced with a more purposeful aerodynamic kit that includes a larger rear boot spoiler.
No confirmation as to whether MUGEN EURO will eventually produce a customer car out of this prototype or not. For the moment UK fans will have to be content with the Civic Type-R (FN2R).

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/109070320279/mugen-euro-confirms-type-r-prototype-development

Honda's new Type R model oozes race-winning DNA

Here's a nice write up on a car we'll probably never see in North America....
Honda's new Type R model oozes race-winning DNAHonda's hottest hatchback, the highly desirable and thoroughly entertaining Civic Type R, has just gained a new sibling that turns red-hot to white-hot - literally!

Based on the existing Type R - which is still offered in the traditional Milano Red and Nighthawk Black paint finishes only – the new derivative is known as the Type R Championship Edition, thanks to its unique, Championship White exterior colour.

Celebrating Honda's extensive track record of international motorsport successes, the Type R Championship Edition is a winner in own right, thanks to its raft of special features.

Chief among these is the fitment of a standard limited-slip differential, which not only underscores the considerable performance potential of the Type R, but allows the driver to attack corners with even greater confidence.

BELLS AND WHISTLES

Other standard features unique to the Championship Edition version include both an iPod USB connector and a mini-jack auxiliary audio input for non-Apple devices.

Together, they ensure that owners of this special Type R can conveniently enjoy their own music collections.

Also offered by the Championship Edition Civic Type R are several exclusive convenience features. These include an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a tyre deflation warning system, rear-mounted park distance control, and impact-sensing door locks.

"The Type R Championship Edition does not replace the existing Type R. Instead, it's aimed at extending the high-revving hatchback's fan club with an even more comprehensive package of meaningful features, including items such as park distance control and a limited-slip differential," says Graham Eagle, general manager of sales and marketing at Honda South Africa.

For dyed-in-the-wool motoring enthusiasts, the Championship Edition's limited-slip diff will be the most telling improvement over the standard version. Usually the preserve of racing and rallying machines, the so-called LS diff improves traction by limiting wheel spin when cornering hard, at high speed.

The result is a sharper, more resolute turn-in action, linked to an almost uncanny ability to carry speed through corners without losing grip and falling prey to potentially terminal understeer.

The remainder of the mechanical package remains identical to that of the standard Civic Type R. A free-revving 2,0-litre i-VTEC engine delivers 148 kW and 193 Nm to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

Like the standard Type R, the Championship Edition sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in only 6,6 seconds, and has a top speed of 235 km/h. Combined-cycle fuel consumption comes to 9,3 litres/100 km, while the CO2 emissions rating is 219 g/km. top.DisplayAds('SquareAV',19,855);

Music fans will be particularly pleased about the inclusion of both an iPod USB interface, and an analogue stereo auxiliary audio connection in the Type R Championship Edition.

Usually an added-cost extra in similarly positioned rivals, the two connections allow the seamless interface of personal music collections on iPods and other MP3 players with the Type R’s integrated sound system.

Enhanced convenience and safety is provided by the new auto-dimming rear-view mirror, which prevents traffic approaching from behind from blinding the driver by automatically dimming the mirror. Also new are rear parking sensors to assist the driver when reversing.

CORE ISSUES

Safety is also at the core of two additional systems introduced exclusively on the Type R Championship Edition.

A Deflation Warning System has been included, which informs the driver if the tyre pressure on one or more tyres is too low. In addition, impact sensors have been fitted to all door locks, which will unlock the doors in the case of an accident, allowing the occupants of the vehicle to exit safely.

"The Honda Civic Type R is a performance icon with a particularly loyal following. The changes incorporated into the new Championship Edition enhance its performance legacy, while adding a substantial list of meaningful convenience and safety features," says Eagle.

"Perhaps most telling of all, we have been able to introduce the Championship Edition at a relatively small premium, compared to the standard version, which ensures that value remains a key component of the Type R package," he concluded.

The Honda Civic Type R Championship Edition has a recommended retail price of R299 900, and is available from all accredited Honda dealers countrywide. The standard Civic Type R’s current recommended retail price is R290 900.

Exclusive Championship Edition version of iconic Civic Type R added to existing model
-New derivative celebrates Honda’s strong motorsport heritage
-Introduction of limited-slip diff enhances dynamic appeal and cornering performance
-Significant convenience upgrades include iPod interface and MP3 player connectivity
-New safety enhancements include Tyre Deflation Warning system and impact-sensing locks
-Free-revving i-VTEC powerplant and six-speed manual gearbox remain unchanged

Source;
http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4877842&fSectionId=855&fSetId=381

UK Honda celebrates ‘Red H’ with Type R drivers’ club

Honda has invited Type R owners from across the UK to a special celebration event at Brands Hatch on 21 September.

Hundreds of Civics, Integras and Accords – all wearing the famous ‘Red H’ badge – are expected at the final round of the British Touring Car Championship, to pay homage to the rev-happy performance badge.

Drivers of any Type Rs attending the event at Brands will be able to park in a special ‘Type R Only’ car park near the entrance to the circuit. Then 250 owners of the Honda performance cars will get access to an exclusive Type R Drivers’ Club in the paddock of the Kent circuit.

They’ll also be able to view a display of unique Type R cars and motorcycles from the past 20 years and take part in the ‘Question of Motorsport’ quiz featuring racing drivers from the world of Honda. The collection of classic Type Rs will then complete two parade laps of the Brands Hatch circuit.

A group of lucky owners will also get the chance to take part in a pre-race grid walk and meet Gordon Shedden and Tom Chilton, the Team Halfords Civic drivers, before they do battle in the end-of-season Touring Car races.

Source;

http://www.automotoportal.com/article/honda-celebrates-red-h-with-type-r-drivers-club

Edmunds Review: 2008 Honda Civic Mugen RR

Honda's Own Skyline GT-R
By John Barker, Contributor Email Date posted: 09-08-2008

Our first sight of the rarest and probably most desirable Honda Civic on the planet is a flash of blood-red paint and a glint of black wheel spokes a couple of hundred yards away, parked in a roadside turn-off in the middle of England. Even at this range, we know it's the real thing, and up close the 2008 Honda Civic Mugen RR is even more striking.

When the Mugen RR went on sale in Japan last September, all 300 examples were snapped up in just 10 minutes. This is the only example in the U.K. and is likely to remain so, as RRs are now changing hands at a premium in Japan. While the standard Honda Civic Type R costs $25,600 in Japan, the Mugen RR went for $43,900.

That's a premium of $18,300 for what appears at first glance to be a gentle massaging of the already impressive JDM Civic Type R sedan. The more you delve into the details of the 2008 Honda Civic Mugen RR, however, the more plausible becomes Mugen's claim to have built the ultimate front-drive car.

The Mugen Way
Mugen, of course, is the Japanese word for "Unlimited," and it began when Hirotoshi Honda built a racing car in his father's workshop back in 1965 while he was still a student at Nihon University. And, yes, his father was Soichiro Honda, the patriarch of Honda. Mugen has specialized in high-performance and motorsports with Honda products since it was formally established, although the company was restructured in late 2003 under the ownership of M-TEC.

Mugen is well known for offering tuning and styling parts for Hondas, but everything on the RR is unique and will not be on sale separately. Take a chunk out of one of the forged-aluminum 18-inch wheels and you'll have to prove that you own an RR to get another. The same goes for the carbon-fiber front airdam and rear aero diffuser, the aluminum vented hood and the adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing.

Despite these lightweight pieces, the RR is only 22 pounds lighter than the Honda Civic Type R upon which it is based, even with the lightweight carbon-fiber Recaro racing seats inside the cabin.

You won't find a substantial power uplift either. In prototype form, the RR was said to have a 256-horsepower, 2.2-liter version of the Honda K20A engine, but the production version sticks with the standard displacement of 1,998cc. Mind you, the 237 hp it does produce is more power than the stock 222-hp Type R unit. The improvements come from a ram-air intake, a larger cold air box, new intake and exhaust camshafts, stiffer valve springs, a 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, a low-restriction catalyst and dual exhaust.

Track Record
Now, we're big fans of the Honda Civic Type R, even though its appearance in Japan as a four-door sedan instead of a three-door coupe caused something of a scandal (Honda U.K. even built its own Type R coupe in response).

The Type R's grooved, street-legal slicks, limited-slip differential and a K20A with a 9,000-rpm redline make it pretty impressive. The Mugen RR sets out to be even more focused, but we can't help but cynically imagine that this will be like the difference between a four-blade and a five-blade disposable razor, i.e. largely imaginary. After all, the Civic Type R's own K20A spins out 225 hp at 8,000 rpm and 158 pound-feet of torque at 6,100 rpm.

Nevertheless, the Mugen RR is 2 seconds quicker than the Type R around the Tsukuba Circuit, the 1.3-mile road course that Japanese car manufacturers regard as an important standard of speed just like the Nürburgring Nordschleife (only, you know, shorter). So the RR does the business.

For the rest of the article;
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=131768?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.*#2