Honda today unveiled the 2007 Civic Type R, a high-performance version of the Civic hatchback for the European and Asian markets. Referred to by Honda as a “superhatch,” the new Type R continues to be powered by the naturally-aspirated, high-revving 2.0-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine but the unit has been significantly reworked to improve responsiveness using a new balancer shaft and drive-by-wire throttle control. VTEC variable valve timing and VTC variable inlet camshaft technology continue to underpin the engine structure. Further development of the Type R unit means more useable torque, as the switch to high-lift, long duration valve timing (the cam change) now takes place at a lower 5,200rpm, and continues all the way to 8,000rpm. Max output is now 201 horsepower at 8,000 rpm, compared to 200 horsepower at 7,400 rpm. Acceleration to 62 mph takes 6.6 seconds — identical to the previous car.
Like the Type S, its rear track is 20mm wider than that of the 5-door model, but otherwise damper, bush and spring characteristics are all unique to Type R.
Broad 225/40 ZR18 tyres provide added grip, while a 15mm reduction in ride height further reduces body roll. Firmer steering, a quicker ratio and stiffer steering box mountings all provide pin-sharp responses to steering wheel input, while the fuel tank’s central location beneath the cabin floor helps to lower the centre of gravity and reduces the body’s inertia moment.
Extra strengthening has been introduced into the floor cross member just ahead of the central fuel tank, around the upper front suspension mountings, while the lower cross member (just ahead of the engine bay) provides greater rigidity. The overall result is a more predictable chassis, with levels of responsiveness and stability that are some of the best in class. At the same time, the damper settings deliver enhanced ride comfort, so the Type R is easier to use in all conditions and on all surfaces.
09/13, 5:18 PM
posted by:
Renton
One extra horsepower and exactly the same accelleration time 0-60.
What is so super about this superhatch?
Stick the RDX motor in there, that would be a superhatch. Mazda did it. Honda will have to as well after the Mazaspeed3 gets on the cover of every mag when it debuts.
Mazdaspeed3, that is a Superhatch. Honda are you listening?
09/13, 5:20 PM
posted by:
Renton
But…..damn. I love its interior.
That is very sharp.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/wp-content/plugins/iimage-gallery.php?idpost=4007&idg=1&idi=4
09/13, 5:25 PM
posted by:
ehhh?
Im sure it handles much better etc, and it looks better, but with an RDX motor that would be amazing and worth the extra money.
09/13, 5:32 PM
posted by:
Xymox
Interior is sharp? It would pain Captain James T. Kirk to pilot this thing. Techy-tacky land.
09/13, 5:38 PM
posted by:
wenge
The exteior looks a bit silly and the interior is over the top. Is tasteful too much to ask from Honda?
09/13, 5:39 PM
posted by:
joseph
Very nice indeed. Great looks inside and out….especially inside. I’m sure down the road they will add more oomph. You can’t go all out right away as you have to make later models appealing. EVERYONE does this.
09/13, 5:43 PM
posted by:
interphase
I was hoping the cam shift would happen a lot lower than the outgoing model, as 5200rpm is stil l a long way to go to get the peak output. Having said that, the old car made revs a lot of fun, so this one should be no different. It’ll be interesting so see how different the ride quality is this time around - the old one was pretty harsh, and even the standard new civics are on the firm side.
Oh, and I hope they offer it in the pearly white & smoked gold alloys combo that the showcar had
09/13, 5:57 PM
posted by:
Don
That’s the RSX Type-S engine. Hurray it’s still alive.
09/13, 6:41 PM
posted by:
pirelli
Don - it’s actually more like the new Civic Si engine. The RSX had a K20A, this is the K20Z.
09/13, 6:50 PM
posted by:
InvisibleEcho
That shifter boot cover thingy looks kind of odd, and dust/dirt may make its way into the folds. And I’m not a huge fan of red - but a silver version with a polished steel interior would be nice.
09/13, 7:00 PM
posted by:
sampson
Unce unce unce, that’s what I think when I look at this car…
someone should tell Honda designers that techno is dead…
P.S. i’m a honda fan
09/13, 7:12 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
That interior looks exactly like one of those 1980’s video games you put quarters in at the arcade. And 1 more horsepower?…look out BMW, generation Y is going to go pókemad over this!
09/13, 7:50 PM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
This is a tight looking car, I approve
09/13, 7:58 PM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
Because Honda is not bringing these stateside ……
………………. Honda can blow me.
.
.
I want one.
.
09/13, 7:58 PM
posted by:
Webran61
Interior is very 1980s futuristic, as well as the exterior. Regardless, Honda Type-Rs are always extremely popular, excluding the last batch in America.
09/13, 8:06 PM
posted by:
Phileas Fogg
It’s already out in Europe. I was there for 6 months and trust me, as weird as I think it looks, it looks worse in person.
09/13, 8:06 PM
posted by:
The LoveHorsepower BLOG! » Blog Archive » 2007 Honda Civic Type R ’superhatch’
[...] Article Link [...]
09/13, 8:21 PM
posted by:
oodLes
This looks AWESOME.
09/13, 8:43 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
It’s not all that, I’ve seen better.
09/13, 8:44 PM
posted by:
Joey D
Needs to be in the US.
09/13, 10:48 PM
posted by:
John Landers
I love the bloody H. Looks like a vampire’s car.
This should be featured in Blade IV, or another Underworld movie.
09/14, 12:48 AM
posted by:
Hyperion
Honda has talked about a Civic Type RR. perhaps the RDX turbo can go into that?
I’d still like to know how much it weighs. 2700lbs would be respectable if one is going to call this car “super”
09/14, 12:53 AM
posted by:
2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday! » Blog Archive » 2007 Honda Civic Type R
[...] [via LeftlaneNews] [...]
09/14, 2:41 AM
posted by:
Vt Monster Cars » 2007 Honda Civic Type R ’superhatch’ unveiled
[...] Honda today unveiled the 2007 Civic Type R, a high-performance version of the Civic hatchback for the European and Asian markets. Referred to by Honda as a “superhatch,” the new Type R continues to be powered by the naturally-aspirated, high-revving 2.0-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine but the unit has been significantly reworked to improve responsiveness using a new balancer shaft and drive-by-wire throttle control. VTEC variable valve timing and VTC variable inlet camshaft technology continue to underpin the engine structure. Further development of the Type R unit means more useable torque, as the switch to high-lift, long duration valve timing (the cam change) now takes place at a lower 5,200rpm, and continues all the way to 8,000rpm. Max output is now 201 horsepower at 8,000 rpm, compared to 200 horsepower at 7,400 rpm. Acceleration to 62 mph takes 6.6 seconds — identical to the previous car. More info on Leftlanenews [...]
09/14, 4:51 AM
posted by:
Nuevas imagenes y datos del Honda Civic Type-R 2007 — Diariomotor
[...] Vía: LeftLaneNews Archivado en: Lanzamientos, Compactos, Deportivos, Coupés, Honda [...]
09/14, 9:08 AM
posted by:
novicius
Hawkish. Polarizing. These are terms that have been missing at Honda for the past few years.
Tip of the Hat, Honda.
09/14, 9:12 AM
posted by:
snork
Interior looks great…outside not so fond of. Bring that interior to the US Civics and I’d be onboard. Performance #s don’t sound so “super” to me, but I’d imagine Honda has this thing handling on rails similar to our SI, S2k, old Integra/RSX Type-S/R.
09/14, 9:25 AM
posted by:
pezones
i would give a testicle for that car… seriously i would. curse you honda for not bringing it to NA
CURSE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
09/14, 10:01 AM
posted by:
Aston_
Looks like a bad nightmare of Accord Euro meets Meagan Hatch
09/14, 12:21 PM
posted by:
Saud
The red badge steering wheel is over the top but other wise it’s awesome.
09/14, 12:43 PM
posted by:
doublearon21
hey pezones, you should, because that car has none.
09/14, 1:20 PM
posted by:
Jon Luc
The interior is cool looking, but the exterior is fugly.
09/14, 3:12 PM
posted by:
bacalao
ewww looks like a mini van
09/14, 4:00 PM
posted by:
gsh
wow look at that tach…its so cool, its like what is on the mercedes benz. normally i would love to get this, but i really want more torque…i want permanent vtec!
09/14, 6:22 PM
posted by:
Dakine
If Honda wants to come back and compete with Nissan or Toyota..
They need to bring more variety of new vehicles..
ARE YOU LISTENING HONDA OF AMERICA?
09/14, 8:31 PM
posted by:
V1ltR
That engine bay looks a tad confined. The hatch looks really ugly.
09/14, 10:27 PM
posted by:
Renton
pezones — it is a Civic. Rethink what you would give up for it.
09/15, 8:38 AM
posted by:
Aston_
They could have made the engine beefier, i think they’ve maxed out the performance for a 2.0L hatch - time to move on to 2.5L =)
09/16, 6:49 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
At one time, Honda enginers stated that they wanted to get to 260 horsepower from a 1.8 liter engine in their production cars. The same ratio applied to a 2.0L (unless the laws of physics intervene) would mean a really impressive Civic Type R should have a 280HP 2.0L engine
I don’t see them actually doing this, of course. Honda talks a lot and delivers very little. They also don’t listen to their enthusiast market.
Let’s see a 2.5-2.6L 8000 rpm four cylinder engine churning out 280 horsepower in a 2700lb Civic hatch.
THAT’S super. A completely factory legal front drive road car with a power to weight ratio under 10.