Im sure a lot of people have been waiting for the euro-hatch Swindon-built Type R and it's finally arrived. First shown in a cracking hot yellow at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the FN2 CTR's OTT styling has certainly kept enthusiasts salivating at the thought of owning what many consider the epitome of a 'hot hatch', particularly in light of predecessors such as the EK9 and EP3 Civic Type Rs. The FN2 will have big shoes to fill...
And not a moment too soon either, considering PIs have started racking up orders for the 4-dr JDM Honda Civic Type R (a first for the range), which will be fielded by Honda Malaysia in this year's Merdeka Endurance Race.
Many of the concept car's in-your-face styling have been carried over, except the yellow. Red, Silver and Black are the colours on offer and this is a car that will prove sensitive to colour choice.
Pick poorly and your chariot could well look like a wannabe hack-and-slack (or cut-and-paste) aftermarket effort. As loud, brash and obnoxious as any british soccer hooligan with none of the light-touched finesse of a Japanese hand, evidenced by the earlier DC2/DB8, DC5 and EP3 offerings. Those earlier JDM cars were cleanly styled, yet had enough aesthetic overtures to exude a 'don't f**k with me' air.
Engine the familiar K20A with type R red crackle finish:
The FN2 is 'fully-loaded' with loads of equipment as standard (although not all may be welcome, while some absent bits will be missed): 18-inch rims,
6 airbags, passenger air-con controls (!!),
factory hi-fi with steering wheel controls,
...cruise control, freezing climate control, vanity lights (both driver+passenger visors), but no HID, no Brembos, no Recaro seats (although the JDM won't have these too). It's also got an i-VTEC indicator and the new Civic's multi-tier instrument meter display.
Little details add to the sense of occasion:
aluminium gear-knob in a titanium finish...
the overall 'triangle/prism' theme finds its way to the door handles...
sporty looking fuel-filler cap...
racing pedals...
Regular sports seats like the UK-EP3 (non-Recaros):
this is a car that obviously has the young/affluent Max Power demographic in the UK in its sights. Large exhaust garnish, multi-spoke rims, filler cap, glitzy interior all panders to the very popular 'Max' culture. But how does it 'go'? Stay tuned!
Fast Facts: Honda Civic Type R (FN2)
Engine: 1998cc, 16-valves, i-VTEC
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Max. Power: 200bhp at 7800rpm
Max. Torque: 193Nm at 5600rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Dimensions (LxBxH)mm: 4276x2046x1445
Wheelbase: 2635mm
Kerb-weight: 1267kg
0-100km/h: 6.6 seconds
Top speed: 233km/h
Estimated price: $105,000
where did u see this ?
ReplyDeleteits only here in ubi showroom today
i saw it finally !
NICE !! selling $109k