Thursday 6th October 2005

Civic Type-R hits the buffers

Last one leaves the line with a few in the pipe

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Honda Civic Type-R

The Honda Civic Type-R has reached the end of the line. Fewer than 900 remain in the dealer pipeline, and production of the iconic pocket rocket has finished.

The final Type-R to roll out of production was in Nighthawk Black -- as so many of them were. Honda has sold over 18,000 of them since their introduction in 2001.

The car costs £16,950 and its revvy i-VTEC 2.0-litre motor kicks out 200bhp at a tortuous 7,400rpm, enough to propel the 1204Kg car to 62mph in 6.6 seconds.

There will be a new one some time after the new Civic shape arrives next year, as we reported earlier this year (see story link below).

• Honda unveils new Civic

[dinkel]

[url]There were a few hints|http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/News/0,,1369-1372_1638167,00.html[/url]

[url]Slashed in the forums already off course. Got a nice 250.|http://www.montrealracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168262[/url]

[url]I like the Si coupe|http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=328122[/url]

[LuS1fer]

200ps, 197bhp. Great car.

[vladd]

Looked like a Daewoo Tacuma. Good riddance to the worst looking hot hatch ever.

[zevans]

LuS1fer said:

200ps, 197bhp...

...at the wrong end of the chassis.

[Podie]

vladd said:

Looked like a Daewoo Tacuma. Good riddance to the worst looking hot hatch ever.

I once saw it referred to as a "potting shed on wheels"

Was never convinced on the styling myself... clearly a lot of people did though. Cracking hot hatch.

[dinkel]

zevans said:

LuS1fer said: 200ps, 197bhp... ...at the wrong end of the chassis.

True, but you can't expect Honda to do a RWD platform. Alfa should btw.

"According to Auto Express the car is based on the next-generation Civic, the Type R produces a startling 186 kW, while a lower-powered - but still quick - Type S version will also be offered, in both 3-door and 5-door.

The Type S is expected to produce 147 kW, . . ."

"Sources suggest power will come from a highly tuned version of the 2.4-litre engine fitted to the Accord, developing as much as 250bhp. That would put the hot Civic on a par with other forthcoming super hatches, such as the VW Golf R34, Vauxhall Astra VXR and Ford Focus Cosworth. The 2006 Type R is expected to be more expensive than the current model, with prices starting at around £20,000. . . . so expect a showroom debut towards the middle of 2006."

186 kw is about 250 hp . . . have they choosen otherwise?

Edit to skip some text . . .

>> Edited by dinkel on Thursday 6th October 20:31

[LuS1fer]

vladd said:

Looked like a Daewoo Tacuma. Good riddance to the worst looking hot hatch ever.

....apart from the Golf GTi, Seat Leon, Vauxhall VXR, Focus ST etc etc.LOL.

[andy_b]

the new civic si is already out here and it looks like a tub of lard. see http://automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Civic+Coupe

I dont think North America will be getting the hatchback, which is fair enough as the old 3 dr never really sold here (only Si form)

Here's hoping the EU Civic Type R is on the 5dr hatch and not the conservative overweight saloon/coupe

[rich-uk]

Awesome engine and gearbox, not so sure about the steering...

They don't half go though!

[daydreamer]

dinkel said:

True, but you can't expect Honda to do a RWD platform. Alfa should btw.

I have a present model Honda RWD!

My brother has a type R. Fantastic car - does everything a hot hatch should - very quick, loads of space, usable boot and chronic understeer .

Rich

[dinkel]

daydreamer said:

dinkel said: True, but you can't expect Honda to do a RWD platform. Alfa should btw. I have a present model Honda RWD!

Convert the S2k to something nice for CTR money? No way! Would be great wouldn't it . . . just that platform with the CTR lump and a seat and a bit of boot for 20k?

[roop]

Odd styling, I am still not convinced despite 40,000+ miles of driving mine - numb steering too but what a fab urban street weapon. I have mine up for sale, but it is *so* much fun blatting about I am loathed to let it go coz I like it so much. Since switching to Toyos and scrubbing them in to the tune of 10,000 miles the handling is transformed. It's got slightly less precision than on the Bridgestones, but that's the only downside. It's really quite playful for a FWD now and point to point around Manchester, probably as fast as anything. Love it.

[speedyollie]

Not a touch on an Integra Type R...now when will Honda learn that the DC5 should have been made officially available to the UK

DC2 is still the better car nonetheless

[FestivAli]

No fun Civics for Australia. We're getting the boring US-versions (which are made in Thailand). Thankfully we have the great Accord 'Euro' (141kw/190hp) base, 6spd manual etc. Not terrible value at $34k AUD. Still, after seeing the new civic in CAR and then the one we're getting in Wheels, I'm jealous of you 'yurpeans'.

Ali.