That's not to be confused with the UK Type R hatchback. The Japanese Type R Civic sedan will go on sale tomorrow across Nihon, that groovy constitutional monarchy occupying the Japanese Archipelago. It's the one we wish they sold here, only with the steering wheel on the starboard side. Specs include a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four, joined to six-speed manual transmission; a lighter, more rigid body shell; sport tuned suspension; 18-inch tires and 17-inch front discs, and a functional aero kit. Inside are front buckets, a unique instrument panel (set among the three-tiered dash binnacle copied from the USS Voyager) and other accouterments. Rumors persist that it's coming to the US in 2010, and we're keeping the bookies on speed dial.
Press Release:
TOKYO, Japan - March 29, 2007- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced the release of the all-new Civic Type R, a pure sports edition of the Civic with further enhanced driving performance. The new Civic Type R will go on sale throughout Japan on Friday, March 30.
This new Civic Type R was developed to make the driver feel at one with the car for the ultimate driving experience in all driving conditions, including on circuits.
The all-new Civic Type R comes equipped with a specially tuned 2.0-liter normally aspirated engine matched to a 6-speed manual transmission. A lighter, more rigid body shell, specially tuned suspension, 18-inch tires and large 17-inch front disc brakes contribute to the Civic Type R's ability to push the performance envelope. Newly developed aerodynamic devices further enhance high-speed performance while giving the wide and low form a more aggressive look. Front bucket seats, a unique instrument panel and other performance accessories contribute to an easier and more responsive drive.
Type R models are specially tuned to take full advantage of the potential of the base model and provide a racing car-like driving feel. First offered on the NSX in 1992, the Type R range was extended to the Integra in 1995, and the Civic in 1997. This latest all-new Civic Type R is the distillation of 15 years of technological progress and the latest expression of Honda's "Challenging Spirit."
Related:
Honda Civic Type R Sedan Prototype to Be Official Car of F1 Suzuka [internal]