Honda Civic Type R is back

Hot hatch Honda legend is set to return – and the new Civic Type R will have a turbo engine
The next Honda Civic Type R will not only be the fastest version yet – it’s tipped to be Honda’s first-ever turbo road car. And our sources in Japan say tuning expert Mugen is already well underway with development.

The Type R has already achieved cult status in the UK – Europe’s biggest hot hatch market – thanks to its combination of a high-revving naturally aspirated engine and aggressive styling. But in order to meet emissions regulations, this latest model will tweak the formula slightly.

Instead of the previous 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, it will use a 2.0-litre turbo designed to comply with Euro V emissions regulations. A similar engine will feature in Honda’s 2012 British Touring Car Championship challenger.

Adding a turbo will give more torque lower in the rev range, so a higher gear can be used more often to boost efficiency. Stop-start is also likely to be fitted.

Just as VW hiked power with its latest Golf GTI, so Honda will increase the Type R’s output – but not by much. A figure of 210bhp would allow a 0-62mph time of less than 6.5 seconds and a top speed approaching 150mph.

Based on the new Civic seen at last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Type R gets the standard car’s front grille, slim headlights and LED daytime running lights, although most of the bodywork will be uprated.

A front end with large mesh air intakes, a lower chin spoiler and chunky side skirts will boost the visual impact, while a rear diffuser and extended spoiler aim to increase stability at high speeds. Also helping the car’s balance in corners is the standard Civic’s longer, wider chassis; this should also improve ride comfort and grip.

Don’t expect refinement to match a Mercedes S-Class, however. The Type R has always been an extreme proposition and that’s the way it will stay.

The steering is set to be pin sharp, while the six-speed manual box will use a stubby gearlever for snappy changes. Plus, the suspension will be firm, to cope with track work as well as blasting down B-roads.

In a break from tradition that matches the turbocharged Ford Focus ST – a key competitor for the Type R – Honda will offer the car as a five-door only. Prices are expected to start from around £23,000 when it arrives in 2013.

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/273562/honda_civic_type_r_is_back.html#ixzz1a0cqzBM9

Honda UK: Hot Honda Civic’s power hike

The limited-edition Honda Civic Type R Mugen has received a power and torque hike thanks to a reworked version of the venerable K20 powerplant.

Just 20 examples of the motorsport-derived Honda Civic Type R Mugen went on sale last year, and for the new version technicians at Northampton-based Mugen Euro company have increased the cylinder bore and stroke of the engine to 2156cc.

See pictures of the Honda Civic Type R Mugen 2.2

The result is a 20bhp power hike to 260bhp and additional torque on tap throughout the rev range, with a peak of 177lb ft at 6000rpm.

The tweaked engine capacity has prompted Honda to christen the new machine the Civic Type R Mugen 2.2. Like its predecessor, the machine features Mugen-produced sports suspension, uprated brakes and a performance bodykit.

The Civic Type R Mugen 2.2 has been developed as a tribute to the Honda K20 2.0-litre petrol engine, which has ceased production in Japan. The race-tuned engine has powered the only two complete road cars produced by Mugen – the Japan-only Civic Mugen RR four-door saloon and the Civic Type R Mugen produced in the UK.

Hiro Toyoda, vice-president of Mugen Euro, said, “Environmental pressures mean naturally aspirated engines are rapidly being superseded by other engine architectures and technologies. We may never see the like of the K20 in a mainstream production car again, so it felt only fitting we mark the occasion with this special 2.2 version of the Honda Civic Type R.”

It’s not yet clear how the Honda Civic Type R Mugen 2.2 will be sold. Of the 20 limited-edition 2.0-litre cars launched in 2010, four remain unsold and it’s possible Mugen Euro may offer them with the reworked engine.

Existing owners of the Honda Civic Type R Mugen could also be invited to return their cars for an upgrade. Honda UK says a decision will be made shortly.

Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/259070/