Civic Type R rises in the East

Adrenaline junkies have been waiting for this one for quite a while — the all new Type R pure sports edition of the Civic. Now the wait's over, in Japan at least.

The super Honda comes equipped with a specially tuned 2.0-litre normally aspirated engine matched to a six-speed manual transmission. A lighter, more rigid body shell, specially tuned suspension, 18-inch tyres and large 17-inch front disc brakes are what you get to boost the performance. Newly developed aerodynamic devices, front bucket seats, a unique instrument panel and other performance accessories contribute to a better drive.

Type R models are specially tuned to take full advantage of the potential of the base model and aim to provide a racing car-like driving feel. First offered on the NSX in 1992, the Type R range was extended to the Civic in 1997.

The exterior employs a one-motion form design with aerodynamic surface treatments and sharp edges. The likes of a large air intake in the front bumper and grille, a rear bumper with built-in rear diffuser, a high-mount rear spoiler, and extended side sill garnishes boost aerodynamics. They help the aggro look too — as do the specifically designed engine hood and front fenders, shiny black chromed front grille bar, headlight sub-reflector, Civic emblem design, and Type R red Honda badging.

Inside, the overall black colour scheme aims to give the interior cockpit a racing car-like appearance. The front bucket seats are specially designed for Type R with separate centre/side construction, high side bolsters and optimised cushion rates help hold the body in place.

The multiplex i-VTEC engine revolution indicator alerts you that engine speed is approaching maximum allowed revolutions. Self-illuminated, lit with red-coloured flashing lights and is strategically located for minimum eye movement in circuit and other high speed driving conditions.

Other performance-oriented features include a small-diameter, genuine leather oval steering wheel, an aluminium ball-type shift knob, a short stroke sports shift linkage, metal sports-type pedals and footrest, and a separate, button-type engine starter.

Under the hood, a higher compression ratio and improved breathing efficiency help the naturally-aspirated K20A 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine output a maximum of 165kW at 8000rpm and a maximum torque of 215Nm at 6100rpm. It's coupled with NSX production methods for smoother port surfacing, improving intake/exhaust airflow.

Drive-By-Wire (DBW) provides for finer tuning of throttle response and power output, while optimum tuning of intake and exhaust manifolds provides for high output at high engine speed while also improving torque characteristics over a broad engine speed range.

The close-ratio six-speed manual transmission matched to the Type R engine features optimised gear ratios for better accelerations at high speeds. New features include a highly rigid aluminium transmission case while the addition of a baffle plate helps mitigate oil starvation at high cornering speeds. And a short stroke shift linkage contributes to a sporty shifting feel.

The rigid Civic body and its layout serves as the basis for an even more rigid, yet lightweight Type R body. Measures to enhance body rigidity while reducing weight have translated into a body that is 50 percent more rigid than in the Integra Type R production model sold between 2001 and 2006.

Specially tuned suspension, high performance 18-inch tyres, a torque-sensitive helical limited slip differential, and large 17-inch disc brakes for improved fade resistance contribute to higher cornering performance and stability. Specially tuned suspension boasts revised spring and damping rates, while thicker stabiliser bars further improve stability — and safety.

A specially-tuned ABS/EBD system plays its part too, as does Honda’s G-Con (G-force Control) technology which creates a body with a crash safety performance that withstands a 55km/h full-frontal collision, a 64km/h front offset collision, a 55km/h side collision, and a 50km/h rear collision.

The vehicle is also designed to help mitigate pedestrian injury in the event of a collision thanks to the use of impact-absorbing structures.

The front seats are equipped with three-point, load-limiting ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seatbelts with E-pretensioners, while front-seat occupants are further protected by standard driver/front passenger i-SRS air bags.

Isofix compatible child seat anchoring bars and tether belt anchor plates are standard on the rear seats.