2006 Honda Civic Type-R

The name “Type R” was first introduced by Honda Motorcycles, with the letter “R” added to normal bike names as an indication of high performance derivative. The earliest Type R car was the NSX-R, which was a lightweight version of the Honda NSX super car. It was designed following claims that the NSX was not powerful enough to compete with rival models from Ferrari and Porsche. The key feature of Type R derivatives, as shown by the NSX-R, was the importance of the weight to power ratio.

Type R philosophy

The Type R philosophy developed by Honda is not aimed at building the fastest, most powerful vehicle on the planet. Instead, its goal is the production of a car which is well-engineered and exciting to drive. As a result, every car bearing the Type R moniker should feature a number of key characteristics.

A Type R should provide an exhilarating driver experience, and should have the feel of a car designed for the racetrack. It should provide plenty of feedback to the driver in terms of steering response, agility, handling and sound, making the driver feel part of the machine. Whilst speed is an important facet of the Type R experience, it should also encompass superior gear changing and braking, without interference from driver aids or soundproofing, which serve only to distance the driver from the car’s performance credentials.

The Type R philosophy also extends to the engineering of each individual vehicle. A Type R should be stripped-out to minimalise weight, doing away with unnecessary luxuries such as satellite navigation, and leather trims. Inside, it should feel like a racing car. Turbochargers are done away with, and all Type R’s are naturally aspirated, delivering smooth power across the rev range, and thus improving both acceleration and traction. Type R Hondas are equipped with a stiffer chassis, bringing improved adjustability and balance through torsional rigidity. Also missing are high-tech gadgets such as traction control, four-wheel drive or stability control systems. The Type R’s appeal is based in clever, yet simple and lightweight engineering features as opposed to complex technology.

The 2006 concept

At the unveiling of a new Honda sports concept, anticipation is always a factor, and the 2006 Honda Civic Type R is no exception to this rule. In order to keep enthusiasts happy, Honda have come up with a “super hatch” design, delivering incredible performance with the same power output as the old version. Producing 200 bhp, the 2006 Honda Civic Type R is more aggressive, lowered and has a wider stance than its predecessor. Under the bonnet is a brand new, 2.0 litre engine. The model will be built in Britain, and is expected to go on sale early in 2007, priced in the region of Ł18,000.