The Civic Type-R Concept Debuts at Geneva

When Honda unveils a new sports concept there is always a sense of anticipation and the new Civic Type R is no exception. To please all its fans, Honda engineers have designed a 'superhatch' to deliver blistering performance from the same power output as the previous incarnation (200 bhp). The aggressive, lower and wider-looking body encases a new 2.0 liter engine and the model, built in Britain, will go on sale in early 2007 priced around £18,000. Expect to see more 3 door versions at the London Motor Show in July.

What is a Type R?

The Type R name was introduced by Honda Motorcycles, where the letter R was added to conventional bike names to indicate a performance derivative. For example, the CB – a standard 4-cylinder across-the-frame bike – became the CB-R, a sporting model.

One of the earliest Type R cars was the Honda NSX-R, a stripped-down, lightweight version of the NSX supercar. This was developed in response to claims the NSX did not have enough power to compete with rival cars from Porsche and Ferrari. The key factor in this argument – and a point proved by the NSX-R – was the importance of the power to weight ratio.

Type R Time-line

February 1992: NSX-R introduced. Weight is reduced by 265 lbs. Recaro seats and MOMO steering wheel fitted. Stiffer suspension adopted. Production limited to 1995 units.

September 1995: Honda announces the launch of the DC2 Integra Type-R. The Integra Type-R is powered by the B18C 1.8-litre DOHC VTEC engine, specifically developed for the Integra Type-R, with 200 bhp at 8,000 rpm. Standard equipment includes a helical LSD, sports suspension, a front lip spoiler, a rear spoiler, alloy wheels, a leather wrapped MOMO steering wheel, Recaro seats, and a titanium shift knob.