Monday 17th September 2007

Civic Type-R For The Track

New model for Japan-only one-make race series

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Not content with only offering the UK-market a diluted Civic Type-R, the hotter Japanese-spec car is about to spawn a track special for the Type-R one-make racing series. The car is the replacement for the Integra, which has been the Type-R championship car of choice for the past seven years.

Based on the saloon-bodied Japanese model which we only see in the UK as a hybrid, the standard car’s 223 BHP KA20 engine and 6-speed ’box are carried over, but the helical LSD, air-con, seats, interior trim, underseal and HID lights are all junked to save precious kilos.

With all the superfluous luxury kit sent to the skip the car is on sale for the bargain price of 1,690,500Yen – that’s just £7,378 of your English pounds. Just don’t forget to add on the cost of race-prepping the car, the entry fee, and a fair few flights out to the land of the rising sun into the bargain.

[Road_Terrorist]

Why are they junking the LSD? Or are they putting on a better one for the racing cars?

[vtecblack]

IIRC it's so you can install the LSD of your choice - Mugen, Spoon Sports, ATS, Cusco etc.

[mssond]

why do we always get short changed here in the uk with the best models? hopefully will make a cheap import? or will the tax and costs make it just as expensive?

would love it if they gave us the civic coupe

[Bada Bing!]

There are plenty of people buying (or at least saying they are) the Jap FD2 Type R right now from importers. Seems like a good deal quicker and much more focused than the pathetic excuse for a UK car is.

[Road_Terrorist]

mssond said:

why do we always get short changed here in the uk with the best models?

Because market research is hopeless.

For what I understand The old hardcore Civic Type R was only sold in the UK as an afterthought as they figured they might sell a couple of hundred and to their suprise they ended up selling thousands of them.

So what did that teach them? That people like Type Rs. However they must have done their research in Max power and seen that chavs like putting type R badges on everything, so they figure they can make a watered down Civic with Type R badges and it will sell just as much because surely people are only interested in the Type R badge rather than the car itself. It's not like the actual performance of the thing is what people where buying it for, right Honda?

Muppets the lot of them.

[muppet42]

The JDM version of the last Civic was better specified too.

I don't understand why Honda think we want a watered down version of the car they get, they should at least offer it as an option. It's almost as stupid an idea as the new Impreza. Emphasis on ALMOST by the way.

[davido140]

I would love one of these, but in a way im glad they arent coming over here, just think that £7.5k price would very quickly become £15k if note more once all the rip-off-britain surcharges and taxes are added.

Then I would be sad because I couldnt afford one.

Im just going to pretend they would cost £7k, and I would buy one, but I cant. so im sad, but not THAT sad.

[flattotheboards]

7k if i lived in japan i would have one of those, what a bargain.

[Trenchtown]

Road_Terrorist said:

mssond said:

why do we always get short changed here in the uk with the best models?

Because market research is hopeless.

For what I understand The old hardcore Civic Type R was only sold in the UK as an afterthought as they figured they might sell a couple of hundred and to their suprise they ended up selling thousands of them.

So what did that teach them? That people like Type Rs. However they must have done their research in Max power and seen that chavs like putting type R badges on everything, so they figure they can make a watered down Civic with Type R badges and it will sell just as much because surely people are only interested in the Type R badge rather than the car itself. It's not like the actual performance of the thing is what people where buying it for, right Honda?

Muppets the lot of them.

It is a question that's been bothering me for some time too, and you are assuming an awfull lot. I think it's the difference in markets that scares of Honda: That those streetracers will somehow dilute the brand. Can't think of anything else...

[horton]

Don't you only get charged evil import duty, on road cars?
If this is the same as the race version of the last Integra Type-R, that was sold in Japan, it is strictly race only - ie. has no VIN number (I think) and is impossible to register as a road car.

The shipping costs for bringing a car from Japan to UK are about a grand.

If you live in Japan, and own a car for at least 6 months, I think you get away with not having to pay the import duty when you take it to UK - go to Japan, teach English for a year, come back with a nice car that doesn't make you liable for evil UK duty/taxes/

[minimatt1967]

This is ridiculous isn't the jdm spec civic type R built at swindon?? Why don't they just offer us both? The normal one for those who want a nice little hot hatch.... and the other for those who want something with a little more spice perhaps?
And why are manufacturers so scared to offer uk drivers L.S.D (renault excepted bravo for Megane 230 R26!) Its not like we're short on twisty bits?
Spleen Vented I thank you

Edited by minimatt1967 on Tuesday 18th September 10:13

[jgsquash]

Fifth Gear had VBH comparing the two on a track last night.
http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?lnk=401&am...

They got it from Litchfield imports:
http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/civic.asp

[davido140]

2007 Civic Type-R - £22,995 OTR
2007 Civic Type-R Lux - £23,995 OTR


HOW ING MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even with a SVA, Import duty, road tax, plates, VAT thats 300% more than the cost in the land of the rising sun!

jesus.

[emicen]

davido140 said:

2007 Civic Type-R - £22,995 OTR
2007 Civic Type-R Lux - £23,995 OTR


HOW ING MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even with a SVA, Import duty, road tax, plates, VAT thats 300% more than the cost in the land of the rising sun!

jesus.

The price quoted in the article is for the race prepped version, stripped of everything. Not the road car.

£7500 sounds not bad at all. Could pretty much have a fantastic track weapon for £10k.

[geordie555]

how would you be able to sva this new civic as it would need an esva which requires an model report??

[emicen]

geordie555 said:

how would you be able to sva this new civic as it would need an esva which requires an model report??

In the hushed words of the Virgin Mary, "come again"?

Litchfield have one for putting the FD on the road.

Track specials wouldnt be going on the road so dont need SVA/eSVA/modelreport/MOT