that car would look hot in red.

I am sure we wont be seeing this one in the USA either.

I would be pleasantly surprised to see hatchback in states. Unfortunately they don’t sell, ergo it will not be here. Let’s pray that at least any diesel in any shape pr form will get here into any car. Can you imagine 315 lbs or torque in a car? This is Hemi and ‘Vette territory.

CTS, did you roasted some nuts or you are away from fires?

I like the coupe better than the hatch. Besides, we already have one of the hottest hatches in the world – the Astra – we don’t need to have this (I’d like a Euro Focus though).

Perhaps this isn’t the right place to ask, but why is there such an aversion to hatchbacks in North America?

Astra is 4-5 years old model, this Civic is in the second year. Astra is not a better car then Civic, according to British press. Have to drive both to compare, so I reserver the judgment. What we need or not is market decision. If Astra will sell well, we may actually see other coupes competing in the segment including this one. If it does not set the world on fire, well the hatches is not American forte.

The words “diesel” and “Type R” don’t seem to belong in the same sentence. I have no doubt that they’d be developing a higher performance diesel engine, but I doubt they’d ever call it a full-blown Type R… maybe a Civic Euro R? Honda has always been very choosy on which platforms to give the Type R treatment. They haven’t even done an S2000 Type R.
That aside, it’d be nice to see a high performance naturally aspirated diesel. I don’t think that’s ever been done before… anybody know of any instances?

Yep, Audi won Le Mans (twice I think) with diesel engine. Fast enough for you? It makes perfect sense, because the beauty of diesel is in precision manufacturing. What defines high performance engine? Precision (well in my simple mind at least). Those concepts fit into R type Civic (almost rimes with Fit, but no cigar)

Diesels are coming in all shapes and sizes, get used to it. I love the idea of a Honda with torque; it finally makes them marque appeal to me.

Hatchbacks, especially in this case, are far superior than coupes. I don’t know why they don’t sell here. I guess everybody likes tight fits through narrow holes when putting junk in the trunk. Persoanlly that’s a trait best found in women, not cars.

autonut i am surrounded on 3 sides, i am inbetween the lake arrowhead, san diego and orange/irvine fires. i think i smell a burning toyota and mabey a couple deer, and some dogs and cats.
seriously i have two aunts and uncles with kids who were evacuated from the mountain last nite, i took my cousins in they are in my apartment rite now, the adults are at work rite now, but we think their homes might be gone at this point we wont know for a day or two.
my next door neighbors were displaced by katrina and have been a great help last nite, they are the nicest people in the world and love theit whiteboy neighbor.
i was their first friend in california, so my little corner of the comples are basiclly evacuees of something rite now.
the whole sky is orange today and the smoke smell is just nausiating but i still crave some BBQ, mabey i can find some roasted dog later.

Honda is putting a Diesel in the 09 Accord.

autonut:
Yeah, those Audi TDis rock, but they’re turbocharged. I just don’t see Honda doing a turbo’d Type R motor, but I really hope they prove me wrong.

A Hi rev diesel that will be interesting, since even the R10 tops out at only 5000k and most Honda motorsport v8 engines have a rev limit of 10,300k, and even the K20 series 4cylinders can do 10k.

I, also, am confused why the U.S. dislikes hatchbacks so much. I always thought those BMW Z3 hatchbacks were mean looking beasts.

But then again, I grew up with an abnormal fetish for all those early 70s almost-hatchback muscle cars.

And I agree with CTS. Put that Honda in red and it would look mighty fine.

I love my hatch. It’s a minivan. Two, actually. The smaller, slanted hatches like the above are not as useful as a good old minivan. But for kids, they’re CUTE! Especially girls!

Dude, 90% of diesels sold today in Europe are turbos. There is no reason not to put turbo into diesel engine. The enemy of turbo is heat, but diesel is plenty hot already, so there is no need for a special gasket. You just bot it on, adjust computer and go.

Yes diesels have lower red line, but this is not decrement of the engine, but actually a positive point. The torque peaks in diesel anywhere from 1750 RPM to red line from 3800 to 5000 RPM depending on the model and maker. This makes driving manual diesel a pleasure: passing and changing speed does not require constant gear changes.

Cyclone, US does not dislike hatchbacks, it has few people who buy them . I believe the reason is that US driving public (everybody including Britney and Paris) raised on very quiet cars and expect very high level of quietness. Hatchback exposes rear axle into the passenger compartment and the whole structure is creaky and not as tight as sedan.

CTS, good luck. If fires will spare you the relatives definitely will make you sick with time. But you’ll be a better man for it in the future. Like your neighbor will say “Stay cool, brother”. Also, Ricardo, jjt and ensign will be pleased that it is Toyota burning not Ford/GM/Chrysler. Those don’t burn even in California fires!

thank you autonut that is really cool of you, you are a good guy.

GO EURO CIVIC !

WOW!! That’s the first Honda that i actually have a desire to buy. That much torque in a small car, is just simply beautiful.

If it would have half a torque you would not know the difference. Nobody going to pull boat behind Civic. The 1.8L motor in US has less then 130 lbs and most of buyers dilute it with automatic and they still peppy do be bought in huge quantities. I would dream of 1.6L diesel which comes with 170 lbs. If you have good left foot you can start driving in 4th gear and change into 5th at 30 mph.

Can I buy one of these in Mexico and bring it up?

Attractive … to a 16 year old.

In terms of engineering, the diesel wins me over.

No RIcardo you cant. It is not sold in Mexico and it is Honda. You are not allowed to drive rice crackers! Furthermore, it is British model can you drive stick shift with left hand in opposite traffic direction?

That’s a helluva lot of torque for the front wheels! The torque steer must be crazy in that thing. Would be a neat option to have, but I’m sure the U.S. will never see that engine.

Of course it would be fitted with an LSD so torque steer would not be an issue.

After LSD you feel no torque whatsoever

Diesel development is a defnite plus. But no amount of mechanical progression can take the ugly out of the Civic.

Autonut I can interchange effortlessly between left- and right-hand steering. Have done it a million times.

I have heard that this car will be available in the United States in 2023 and will get 25 mpg highway, thanks to U.S Diesel emissions regulations.

EGGcellent! Great move, Honda.

bring it to the US and ill respect you honda

Finally Honda wakes up.

meanpants: The Honda GL appeals to me. The Civic does not.

cts: I feel like I’ve got a soot-covered face.

high revving diesel?

no **** jack i had my windows down on the car the other day at work and my seats were just covered in ashes. by god dont break a sweat rite now, i feel ya man, i feel dirty constantly rite now.