High Revving Honda Civic Type R @ Paris Motor Show

Motoring Channel Staff - 28/Sep/2006

Paris, France — Ever since the current generation Civic hatch made its debut in Europe, Honda has been teasing the public with concepts of how a sports version of the dynamic small car may appear. Now we have closure on the subject, as Honda has unveiled the Civic Type R at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

As is a Civic Type R tradition, power comes from a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine, with 2.0-litres of capacity, and instead of using turbos or superchargers to attain quick straight line speeds, Honda turns to its engineering department to increase the rev ceiling and hike power in this way.

The Civic Type R's highly tuned engine develops 148kW (201hp) @ 8000rpm, up from the previous model's peak power of 147kW @ 7400rpm.

The high-revving 2.0-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine is similar to its predecessor but has been significantly reworked to improve responsiveness using a new balancer shaft and drive-by-wire throttle control, says Honda. It adds that the car is more responsive generally, having slightly lower gearing to improve acceleration (and compensating for a small increase in kerb weight), while improved aerodynamics ensure the new car cuts through the air more cleanly.

While it’s just as exhilarating to drive as the outgoing Type R, the latest high performance Civic is a more refined ‘superhatch’, with improved comfort levels, integrated styling, and handling tuned for enhanced responsiveness and predictability. 

Honda explains that further development of the Type R power unit means more usable torque, as the switch to high-lift, long duration valve timing - the camshaft change - now takes place at a lower 5200rpm, and continues all the way to 8000rpm. Honda has said that to mark the entry to this ‘power band’ a new i-VTEC indicator just to the right of the digital speedometer is illuminated once the revs rise above 5200rpm.

The new Type R Civic's acceleration figures are expected to be virtually identical to the 6.6-second 0-100km/h time of the outgoing car – and the new car should match its top speed too, powering on to 235km/h (146mph).

The chassis of the Civic 5-door – already widely praised for its handling balance – forms the basis for all 3-door models and provides an ideal platform for the Type R. Building on the Civic Type S suspension, which is fine-tuned for sharper chassis dynamics, the Type R takes those modifications to the next level and like the Type S, its rear track is 20mm wider than that of the 5-door model for a better attitude through corners, but otherwise damper, bush and spring characteristics are all unique to Type R.

Sitting on impressively large 18-inch rims fitted with 225/40 ZR18 tyres, the Civic's grip levels have never reached such levels, while a 15mm reduction in ride height further reduces body roll. Firmer steering, a quicker ratio and stiffer steering box mountings all provide pin-sharp responses to steering wheel input explains Honda, while the fuel tank's central location beneath the cabin floor helps to lower the centre of gravity and reduces the body's inertia moment.

The Type R also builds on the Civic's body structure – one of the most rigid in the small car  market – and that rigidity plays a key role in the responsive chassis dynamics.

Extra strengthening has been introduced into the floor cross member just ahead of the central fuel tank, around the upper front suspension mountings, while the lower cross member (just ahead of the engine bay) provides greater rigidity. Honda says that the overall result is a more predictable chassis, with levels of responsiveness and stability that are some of the best in class.

While the styling of previous Civic Type Rs has almost been an after-thought, the latest car enhances the already-bold appearance of the Civic to build what Honda claims is an incredibly assertive look. Seven-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard and – helped by the car’s low ride height – these tuck neatly under the body coloured arches. The deep front spoiler incorporates a larger air intake to channel air to the induction system, as well as triangular foglamps. There's no missing the distinct body-coloured tailgate rear spoiler, which follows the kick-up line from the rear quarter windows, and provides added down-force. At the front, a black honeycomb mesh grille replaces the glass panel of other Civics, sporting – of course – the infamous red ‘H’ badge.

While the Type R logos and badges are more discreet than on the outgoing car, they feature throughout. Firstly, the front brake callipers wear the insignia, and stainless steel inserts on the door sills also carry the badge as just a few examples. 

Inside, it’s all about the driving experience. Front seats are racing-style buckets with large black Alcantara bolsters and red stitching, red fabric seat cushions and backs. The rear seat bench in the back repeats the same colour combination.

The effective Dual Zone, two tier dash (common to other Civic models, such as the sedan sold here in Australia) also features in the latest Type R, but with red illuminated dials set off by gun-metal effect switch panels on either side of the central display. The driver grips a black, leather-covered steering wheel with red stitching and central ‘H’ logo, while the gear shift knob with aluminium-finish has a black boot with red stitching.

And, to make each Type R even more exclusive, a plaque engraved with the car's unique serial number is placed just ahead of the gear lever. Unfortunately for Australian lovers of the Civic, the hatch model is not sold in this country due to the vehicle's higher costs, and so the chances of the Type R Civic heading Down Under are little to none at this stage.

Honda has revealed that European customers will also be able to choose a fully-equipped GT version, with additional features such as cruise control, dual zone air conditioning, fog lights, automatic lights and wipers and curtain SRS bags, plus a voice-activated, state-of-the-art navigation system is offered as an option. All of these options add weight however, and would dilute the Type R experience in our opinion. 

The Type R and Type S versions of Civic will be built exclusively alongside the 5-door range at the Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd in Swindon. Honda has stated that the Civic Type R will go on sale in the UK in March 2007, and pricing will be announced closer to this date.

More Honda Civic Type R info