Fun-to-Drive practicality
- New performance-orientated Civic derivatives combine practicality with more fun-to-drive character
- 3-door body shell retains 5-door silhouette with more assertive styling
- Driver focused interior
Type S as sporting member of the Civic family
- Two 140 HP engines: 1.8 i-VTEC petrol and 2.2 i-CTDi diesel
- Sportier spring and damper settings, wider rear track
Comeback of the pulse accelerator – New Civic Type R is on the start line
- Super acceleration: from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 secs.
- Unlimited everyday usability
- Newest evolution stage of the 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC engine even more agile
- Stiffer bodywork and special chassis tuning
- Lightweight version and special race version also available for the first time
Emphasized sporting versions expand Civic range
Individuality and practical use plus driving pleasure in pure culture. Its bold design, a thus far unequalled interior style in combination with the classic Honda virtues such as guaranteed driving pleasure together with brilliantly low fuel consumption – these are the factors that have made the hatch-back of the eighth Civic generation into the compact class success model.
“It is now time, ” explained Yasuhisa Maekawa, Honda R & D Europe Chairman, and Vice-Chairman of Honda Motor Europe, “to expand the family again with the sporting Type S and Type R variants.” And he promised: “Their names are in the program: S for Sport and R for Racing.” Both the new 3-doors differ from the 5-door by their own design, special driving settings, and in the case of the Type R a brilliant sporty engine – and guarantees an intoxicating blend of exhilarating driving pleasure accompanied by exemplary everyday usability.
“The expansion of the product range,” continued Maekawa, “is aimed at fulfilling the expectations of the younger and the young-at-heart customers, for whom an emphasized sporting vehicle character is of the greatest importance.” Since the “old” Civic Type R has achieved a huge circle of enthusiasts during the past years, with sales figures surpassing all forecasts, “And it would be foolish,” said Maekawa, “not to comply with the wishes of these faithful customers.” And on top of everything, this is sufficient reason for Honda to send the most extreme model of the Civic to the start line in three different versions for the first time.
Confident power and taut suspension settings
The Type S is powered by either a 1.8-litre petrol or a 2.2-litre diesel engine. Both engines are rated at 140 HP. The suspension is stiffer than the 5-door and has a rear track which is 20 mm wider for higher stability. The Civic Type S becomes available in January.
The power source of the new Type R is the newest development stage of the 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC engine. The extensively improved engine, with an output of 201 HP, is nearly as powerful as in the preceding model, but is even more responsive. The substantially stiffer body – even in comparison with the 5-door model – and the suspension settings with the emphasis on sporting adjustment will only help to guarantee that the hottest Civic ever is a driving experience of a very special kind. This top sports model is in the dealers from March 2007.
Emphasised coupé-like styling
The silhouette of the new model is similar to the current Civic 5-door. The individual personality has been realised not by a radical change of line, but rather is characterised by a series of unique details. A more sharply tapering rear side window emphasizes the coupé rear end. The tapering shape of the rear side windows also provides a sleek profile. Bold side skirts, the noticeably widened track and the large-dimensioned wheels (17-inch on the Type S and 18-inch on the Type R) considerably heighten the dynamic look of the two sports cars. In addition, the doors, the rear side panels and the front and rear bumpers have been remodelled.
The special character of the Civic Type R is highlighted by well drawn-down body-coloured front and rear skirts, a rear spoiler plus a radiator grille with enlarged air intake. Type R logos on the front brake callipers enhance the overall sporting picture.
Spacious interior
In the Type R and the Type S, the interior layout is based on the same approach as in the Civic 5-door. In all Civic eighth-generation models individual design also provides a generous amount of space for the passengers. The unique concept with the fuel tank located centrally under the front seat gives a low, flat rear floor in the back. With the rear seats folded down, the luggage compartment offers so much space that three mountain bikes (with their front wheels removed) can be accommodated. The stowage capacity behind the front seats amounts to 1,352 litres.
The rear seats feature special kinematics by which the back-rests can be lowered easily and with lightning speed. If the back-rest catch is released and the back-rest part moved forward, it is lowered so that a dead flat loading bay results. If required, even the luggage space can be partly enlarged. For this purpose, the rear seat bench is split asymmetrically (60/40). Thanks to an effective mechanism with easy-running joints, returning it to its original position takes no effort. Beneath the level boot floor is a secondary 70 litre storage area – a suitable place for items that should always be carried but are seldom needed.
The Type S and the Type R have a fascia that is just as modern and functionally laid out as that of the 5-door. The most essential information is placed at the very top of the display and relatively far forward, which distracts the driver less from the actual traffic situation and requires the eyes to adapt less. Secondary information is spaced around this central focus. It is also always in the field of vision but without distracting the driver though excessive dominance.
Compared with the previous generation Civic, the steering wheel is set at a more upright and ergonomically advantageous angle. Both driver and front-seat passenger profit from extra legroom and greater freedom of movement in general on the front seats. The steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach.
The front seats of the Type S have different foam thicknesses at various parts of the seat ensuring enhanced side grip with good seating comfort at the same time. The upholstery is covered with black Alcantara and decorated with silver-coloured stitching.
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