The striking looks set the tone. As the flagship of the Civic range - not to mention the most exciting of the new 3 door models - the hot Type-R is ready to give rivals a roasting.

Powered by a new 2.0 litre DOHC i-VTEC engine developing a mighty 200 PS (197 bhp) at 7,400 rpm, the new Civic rockets to 60mph in 6.4 seconds - and carries on to top 146 mph. Maximum torque is 196Nm (145lb-ft) at 5,900rpm, promising levels of performance better than of the Integra Type-R - the car that the Civic Type-R replaces.

Matching the engine is a 6-speed, close ratio manual gearbox. Carefully spaced ratios ensure that engine revs remain within the power band during acceleration, while overall gearing is firmly biased towards performance - sixth gear is a usable ratio, not an economy oriented cruising gear. High performance gearbox synchronisers and a highly efficient changing mechanism allow extremely quick and precise gear changes.

The new Civic 3 door, with its extremely rigid body and highly praised suspension design, provides an ideal platform for a high performance derivative. Nevertheless, Honda has introduced additional stiffening to give the Type-R greater tautness and precision.

A strut across the rear of the engine bay increases horizontal rigidity at the front of the car, while at the rear, vertical rigidity is maximised through locating an additional strut between the wheelarches.

Firmer dampers and springs and alloy wheels shod with 205/45 R17 tyres connect the car to the road. Backed up by a programme of extensive testing at Germany's demanding Nurburgring, the package ensures that the Civic Type-R possesses excellent chassis dynamics, with a high degree of linearity in its handling behaviour. In particular, it is even more responsive to steering input than the fabled Integra Type-R.

Settle into the drivers' seat of the new Type R and before you even turn the ignition key it is clear you are driving something special, with the finely honed bespoke exterior matched by an equally exquisite interior.

The large, heavily sculpted competition-style seats provide exceptional comfort and support. Cushioning is firm and the seats have additional bolsters at shoulder height locate occupants even during the most spirited cornering action.
The seat inserts are finished in suede effect material known as Alcantara ®.

The Type-R's performance credentials are further signalled by white instrument faces and an alloy gear knob. Additional flourishes include an embroidered Type-R logo at the base of the headrest and red stitching on both the seats and the steering wheel. Door and seat inserts, together with centre console trim, are finished in a titanium metallic colour for an air of added sophistication.

The Civic Type-R will re-ignite the extreme performance hatchback market within the C-segment and sales are expected to be as high as 3 per cent of total Civic 3 door sales. UK availability in the first full year will be less than 1,000 cars.

The Civic Type-R will be built in the UK at Honda's Swindon factory. Production commenced this autumn, with the car going on sale in October. The model is also set to be the first British built to be sold in Japan when exports commence at the end of 2001.
 

To ensure this was achieved, the designers used a computer-generated 'virtual wind tunnel' to predict wind flow around the car and every aspect of the body was studied to reduce drag, reduce lift and minimise wind noise. This included developing the general shape of the body, refining the front spoiler, adding a rear suspension cover, and even refining the shape of the door mirrors.

A mesh-type front grille, complete with 'Type-R' script, black-plated headlamp sub-reflectors and twin chrome tail pipes complete the sporting appearance. Even under the bonnet there is no mistaking the performance potential: the red crackle-finish cam cover is picked out with the legend 'DOHC i-VTEC'.
 

These figures translate into a top speed of 146 mph and acceleration from standstill to 60 mph in a potent 6.4 seconds; yet the Type-R achieves a combined cycle fuel consumption of 31.7mpg.

Aside from its prodigious output, the new unit is both more compact and lighter (by 13kg) than Honda's existing 2.0 litre unit that powers the Accord. Actual dimensions are 870 mm (length), 635 mm (width) and 622 mm (height) versus 942/740/621 mm for the 2.0 litre Accord unit. It is also noteworthy that the unit is designed to run on the normal premium grade 95RON unleaded fuel, not the 98 RON Super unleaded grade.

 

Intelligent VTEC

i-VTEC is the generic name of Honda's outstanding new engine family. The name is derived from 'intelligent' combustion control technologies that match outstanding fuel economy, cleaner emissions and reduced weight with high output and greatly improved torque characteristics in all speed ranges.

The design cleverly combines the highly renowned VTEC (Variable valve Timing and lift, Electronic Control) system - which varies the timing and amount of lift of the valves - with VTC or Variable Timing Control. VTC is able to advance and retard inlet valve opening by altering the phasing of the inlet camshaft to best match the engine load at any given moment. The two systems work in concert under the close control of the engine management system delivering improved cylinder charging and combustion efficiency, reduced intake resistance, and improved exhaust gas recirculation among the benefits

The i-VTEC technology offers tremendous flexibility since it is able to maximise engine potential over the whole speed range. A particularly flat torque curve is testimony to its effectiveness: by 3,000 rpm the engine is already delivering in excess of 180 Nm - or more than 90% of its maximum.

The joy of six!
The Type-R's 6-speed transmission is matched to a high performance clutch and features triple cone synchronisers on both first and second gears. The new gearbox is not only strong and light, but shorter in length than many 5-speed units. The Type-R retains the ergonomically excellent fascia-mounted gear lever common to other Civic hatchback models, to offer a shift quality that's smooth, accurate and lightning fast.

Carefully spaced ratios maintain engine revs well within the power band during acceleration and give intermediate gear maxima of 36, 56, 78, 103 and 128 mph at the 8000 rpm red line. .


High rigidity

The inherently fine-handling Civic 3-door with its highly rigid body and much praised suspension design provides an ideal platform for a high performance derivative. Nevertheless, Honda has introduced additional stiffening to endow the Type-R model's handling with even greater tautness and precision.

Body rigidity is even more marked in the Type-R where additional bracing further boosts the precision handling characteristics of the flagship model. Frontal horizontal rigidity benefits to the tune of 17 per cent thanks to an additional strut located at the base of the front bulkhead and between the two front side members. At the rear, a strut fitted between the wheelarches, together with a reinforced wheelarch gusset increases vertical rigidity by 23 per cent.

The Type-R benefits from firmer dampers and springs, uprated anti-roll bars front and rear (that at the front is stiffer, that at the rear is increased in diameter) compared to standard 3-door models; in addition, ride height is reduced by approximately 15mm. Ultra low profile 205/45 R17 tyres are specified, on 17 x 7JJ alloy rims.

Brakes to match

Large front ventilated disc brakes with solid discs at the rear are backed by ABS anti-lock and EBD (electronic brake force distribution) to ensure stopping ability to match the Type-R's high performance potential. They also ensure fade-free performance, even during the most rigorous use.

Equipped for action

With the accent firmly on performance, the Civic Type-R maintains the "no frills" approach to specification. Equipment such as a sunroof, cruise control, electric seats etc has no place on a model with such purist sporting intentions.
But that does not mean that safety or practicalities are neglected - and so the Civic Type-R does boast ABS anti-lock brakes, remote central locking, CD radio tuner and Cat 1 alarm. Like all other Honda cars it also has power steering, twin SRS front airbags, electric front windows, and ECU transponder type immobiliser. As with Integra and Accord variants, the Civic Type-R will be offered with factory fit air conditioning as a cost option. The Civic Type-R will be available in a choice of Milano Red, Nighthawk Black or Satin Silver Metallic finishes.

Type-R - a breed apart

Honda's worldwide Type-R sub-brand sets out to encapsulate the company's innovative engineering capabilities, its reputation for technical sophistication and above all, its enviable sporting pedigree within a unique road car package. The tightly focused Type-R programme is aimed directly at the enthusiast who seeks the excitement and feel from a competition car and for whom total performance is paramount; more specifically it caters for the discerning driver who is able to appreciated advanced technology used in the pursuit of driving pleasure.

Type-R branding is confined to cars offering outstanding dynamic abilities, with strong race car overtones. Their capability is realised through innovative and elegant engineering solutions rather than the more traditional measures aimed at performance enhancement. It is certainly not about cynical badge engineering, and all Type-R models have the resolute purpose of providing a sublime driving experience.

In Europe, the Integra set the tone with its 190 PS (187bhp) 1.8 litre engine boasting one of the highest specific outputs in the world allied with chassis dynamics seldom found outside of a race track. It was followed by the Accord Type-R - which applied similar race-bred technology to the four-door Accord, the model on which Honda's successful European Super Touring programme was based upon. The Civic 3-door becomes the Type-R latest incarnation, and it is wholly appropriate that Honda is seeking motorsport homologation of the car in time for the 2002 season.

Ready for racing

In conjunction with the launch of the high performance Civic Type-R at Geneva, Honda Motor Europe has announced that it is to seek homologation for the car in the FIA-approved Group N classification in time for the 2002 season.

Aimed at those who race competitively several times a year, the 'roadgoing' version of the new Civic Type-R will offer owners a high degree of competitiveness without burdening their budget, as very few parts will need modification or replacement for competition use.

The intrinsic qualities and exceptional dynamic ability of the standard car form the ideal basis for this development, and the Civic Type-R looks set to become the new competition benchmark among mass production road cars.

The Type-R pedigree is already well established: throughout Europe the Integra Type-R has enjoyed many successes in Superproduction and Group N racing, as well as rallying and hill-climbing.

A prototype Civic Type-R has been prepared to FIA Group N specification and its development will be entrusted to former BTCC champion, and ex-Formula 1 and official Honda Supertouring driver, Gabriele Tarquini. Rally parts are also being developed and will be made available for professional and club enthusiasts alike.

Competition participation provides important input to the Type-R programme and is a very effective test bed for new Honda technologies. The company has for several years had an active touring car programme in Europe and competes with great success in the US CART series. Last year saw Honda return to Formula 1 with the BAR Honda Team - and this year the programme has been extended to include engine supply to the Jordan Formula 1 racing team.

Cylinders