Tag: Type R

Categories
Audi BMW Honda Renault Seat Video

Just how good is the Civic Type R?

Honda Civic Type R

The all-new Honda Civic Type R had an extremely long development cycle. It’s now been launched and has to go about living up to the hype Honda has generated.

Here Steve Sutcliffe from Auto Express takes the Type R to the tight Llandow Circuit in Wales to see how it compared with the Seat Leon Cupra 280 and the Renault Megane RS275 Trophy.

That’s all well and good, nobody would be surprised if the Type R was the quickest of that trio. But what if the Audi RS3 and BMW M3 are added to the list?

[Thanks to John for the tip]

Continue reading “Just how good is the Civic Type R?”
Categories
Honda Motor Shows

Geneva 2015: Honda Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R

This is it! You’re looking at the production-ready Civic Type R. At last!

Its numbers, then, what are its key stats? Power from the 2.0 litre VTEC mofo engine is rated at 310PS (228kW) at 6500rpm, while peak torque is 400Nm at 2500rpm. A lot for a front-wheel drive hot hatch, yes, but it’s what we’ve come to expect these days.

The 0–100km/h sprint is all over in 5.7 seconds and the new Type R has a v-max of 270km/h. Thankfully that’s all done via a proper 6-speed manual transmission as well.

The marketers have triumphed with the naming of the magic +R button. When that button is pressed the lab coats have ensured the car becomes more responsive with a more more aggressive torque-map, reduced power assistance for the steering and stiffening up the Adaptive Damper System by 30 per cent.

Marketing very much triumphs over engineering with the GT pack, which is nothing more than a collection of frilly options. There’s no extra power or suspension beefiness to be found here.

And speaking once again about marketing, Honda has published a video of the Civic Type R lapping the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 50.63 seconds. Take that Renault!

Continue reading “Geneva 2015: Honda Civic Type R”
Categories
Honda

Honda Civic Type R Concept revealed (again)

Honda Civic Type R Concept

Honda has previewed the Civic Type R Concept it will have on display at the Paris Motor Show later this week. And if you think you’ve seen it before, that’s because you have. That “strikinig luminous blue” paint scheme isn’t fooling anyone.

The hype about this new Civic Type R has shifted up a gear, too, with Honda claiming the 2.0 litre turbocharged engine will be the most responsive the company ever made. Yes, even better than the original NSX.

“Honda has had four Type R model derivatives—the Civic, Integra, Accord and NSX,” recalls Suehiro Hasshi, Large Project Leader for the Civic Type R at Honda R&D. “The engine in this new Honda Civic Type R is unrivalled against all of them in terms of raw power, torque and engine response.”

More important than any of that, though, is the fact the 2015 Civic Type R will boast a +R button on the steering wheel. None of those other cars ever had that, did they!

“In default standard mode, the Civic Type R is exceptionally agile, an everyday sports car with an enjoyable and fluid acceleration,” Hasshi-san explained. “The ‘+R’ button brings out a more dynamic and athletic car for the driver, sure to set pulses racing.

“The difference in character is immense. The ‘+R’ mode is extreme; the car is ideal for the track and will be appreciated by the genuine sports-driving enthusiast.”

Other details revealed by Honda include the very pleasing news that the hero hot hatch will be built exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Handling will be aided by a four-point Adaptive Damper System with a number of settings available depending on the driver’s mood.

The Civic Type R is a pretty cool looking car in concept form and let’s hope Honda stays true to its form when the production model is released next year. We think they will, unlike those numbskulls at Subaru.

Continue reading “Honda Civic Type R Concept revealed (again)”
Categories
Honda Video

Predator wolves used to promote Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R 'Disruption' video

And not just any predator wolves, either, these ones have evil bioluminescent eyes! Not any old cheesy 1980’s film clip bioluminescent, but evil bioluminescent goddamit!

It’s all part of a promo for the new Civic Type R called ‘Disruption’. Here’s a snippet of Honda’s description (and, please, make sure you read the whole thing):

The campaign kicks off with the sixty second film, ‘Disruption’. We open on a sunny suburban street. A family is packing a picnic into the boot of their car. Everything is happy and jolly, including the music. It’s the most generic car film you’ve ever seen. Suddenly, the picture distorts and pixelates and the Honda R-Rated advisory flickers up on screen, as though someone just hijacked the broadcast. We see the Honda R-rated advisory notice appear. The warning disappears into black.

Sounds ace, doesn’t it! (No, not really.) So, what are you waiting for, take the jump and watch this masterpiece…

Continue reading “Predator wolves used to promote Civic Type R”
Categories
Alfa Romeo Audi BMW Bugatti Chevrolet Citroen Dodge Ferrari Fiat Gumpert Honda Hyundai Jaguar Kia Lamborghini Lexus Motor Shows

2014 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2014 Geneva Motor Show

Like us you probably haven’t had a chance to duck over to Europe to check out the Geneva Motor Show. So here’s the first of a two part series bringing you a selection of the cars on show. Here we start with Alfa Romeo and go through to Lexus.

Continue reading “2014 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 1”
Categories
Honda Motor Shows

Geneva 2014: Honda Civic Type R Concept

Honda Civic Type-R concept

Honda has given us the first look at the all-new Civic Type R with this concept model now on show in Geneva. Yeah, it’s easy to laugh at the massive rear wing and 20″ alloys and dismiss this as another rice rocket, but this, this Type R is going to be good.

At least it will have to be in order to stand up to the hype and bold statements Honda is already making about the car. It’s a “racing car for the road,” Honda claims.

For now this is all part of Honda’s lengthy tease before the Type R is launched in Europe in 2015. So all they’re giving us is that the car will be powered by a 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo producing “at least” 280PS (206kW), which we already knew.

That leaves you to enjoy the pics and video after the break.

Continue reading “Geneva 2014: Honda Civic Type R Concept”
Categories
Honda

Honda Civic Type R wait just got more interesting

Honda Civic Type R Concept

Honda has ensured the long wait for the 2015 Civic Type R has become a bit more interesting with this teaser shot of the concept model they’ll have on show in Geneva next month.

It looks pretty wild and let’s hope not much is lost in the move from concept to production line.

Categories
Honda

2015 Honda Civic Type R development continues

2015 Honda Civic Type R

Honda has continued the development of the 2015 Civic Type R by racking up a few laps of its own Tochigi test track. Aside from that they’re not telling us much else. And that’s not really news anyway, is it.

We already know the car will be powered by a new 2.0 litre turbo pumping out more than 280PS (206kW). We already know they’ve been testing at the Nürburgring. In case we’ve forgotten they’ve wheeled out WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini to remind us (see video below).

What we do have is a selection of new images with no camouflage other than matte black paint. As you’d expect the Civic Type R has some extreme styling and overall it doesn’t look too bad. Aggressive and purposeful, let’s just hope for Honda’s sake that it’s got the balls to match its hype.

Remember, the Civic Type R isn’t due for release until 2015, so we’re going to be getting a lot more hype between now and then.

Continue reading “2015 Honda Civic Type R development continues”
Categories
Honda

Honda starts two year tease for Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R prototype

Honda has confirmed what we already knew, that they’re chasing the front-wheel drive lap record at the Nürburgring. And they’ll be doing so in a new Civic Type R, which will be powered by a 2.0 litre turbo four cylinder engine.

Officially, Honda says the engine will have at least 280PS. Trouble is we won’t know the full facts until 2015 when the car is released.

Right now, though, they’re getting cocky. Manabu Nishimae, President, Honda Motor Europe, is already starting to brag: “We have recently spent a week at the Nürburgring, carrying out extensive testing and we are on target, and have already set a time approaching the lap record.”

Continue reading “Honda starts two year tease for Civic Type R”
Categories
Honda

2015 Honda Civic Type R chasing Ring record

Honda Civic Type R

This is the next-generation Honda Civic Type R. It’s not due until 2015 but it’s got some lofty targets ahead of it. Honda says they want to own the front-wheel drive record lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschelife, currently held by the Renault Megane at 8 minutes 7.97 seconds.

Honda has even released a Type R teaser video showing it has already made its mark on the famed 20.8km circuit.

To achieve its target lap time the Type R will lose its unique normally aspirated VTEC mofo approach in favour of a boring old 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder, much like everyone else. Mind, with a peak power target to be as high as 300hp (223kW) Honda isn’t going to have too many other options.

On the positive side at least Honda can learn from its WTCC experience where its Civic is racing with a 1.6 litre turbo.

[Source: Autocar]

Continue reading “2015 Honda Civic Type R chasing Ring record”
Categories
Audi Honda

The odd couple

Audi R8 V10 v Honda Type R Mugen

Here’s an interesting video comparison from Autocar. On hand is the awesome Audi R8 V10 being pestered by a (UK market only) buzzing Honda Type R Mugen. Now, at £40K the Mugen is no shortcut to cheap thrills by any means. But asking it to keep up with the £100K R8 is a pointless exercise, isn’t it?

Well watch the video to find out. I guess the real point here is, if you had access to both of these cars and a twisty road, you’d most likely want a piece of the action too. A cracking car is a cracking car, doesn’t matter what company it keeps.

[via The German Car Blog]

Continue reading “The odd couple”
Categories
Honda Motorsports

I got children at home waiting for their mummy

You might remember the clip of Ricardo Patrese driving his wife around the Jerez racetrack from last September. Well, I might be a bit slow on the uptake, but here is a subtitled version for your viewing pleasure.

Note: Language warning applies, haha.