Honda Civic Type-R Confirmed for Australia

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By Alborz Fallah | March 05th, 2007

Thank you Honda! Someone in charge at Honda Japan got hit with the logic stick and finally gave the green light for Honda Australia (who have apparently been asking for the Type-R for sometime) so we get our hands on Honda Civic Type-R.

Honda fans can now officially rejoice! There is no longer a need to put a fake Type-R sticker on your Civic as the real thing will be here from around July.

The “Red-H”-badged three-door hatchback has a 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine with a peak output of 148kW at an amazing 7800 rpm paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Completing the package, 18-inch alloy wheels ride on low profile “licorice strap” 225/40 tyres.

“It is wonderful to bring such a sought after and sporty car to Australia. I’m sure all motoring enthusiasts will be impressed with the performance, handling and luxury of the Civic Type R. It’s the hottest Civic we have ever launched here.” Honda Australia Managing Director Toshio Iwamoto said

Now lets just sit down and take all that in, 148kW from a naturally aspirated 2.0L engine is just enormous amount of power! Honda has always been a big “no no” for Turbo charging their cars, but with this much power output, the need for one might just be unnecessary.

This isn’t even a Japanese car, the Type R is British! Built at Honda’s Swindon plant in Wiltshire, the Civic Type R is a cult car in the UK, with its massive popularity ensuring over 500 customer orders – or 10% of the entire year’s sales run – before the official British launch date of March 1st.

Price, full specifications and further details of the Australian version of the Civic Type R will be released closer to the on-sale date. We simply can’t wait to drive this car!

Lazybones

My Astra’s replacment options have just increased by one!!

Fantastic. A Honda with a pulse, love it!!! And compared to the current Civic, which is so boring that not even Azimo would drive it.
Damo

I reckon this will be a good buy. At a price not much more than the Ralliart Colt (I hope), it is probably a better package than a basic WRX (for looks at least). Being true to Mitsubishi though I would be looking for the new Ralliart lancer or something else along the lines of it.
Myke

The pricing will be a bit more than a Colt Ralliart (high 30s to low 40s, according to carpoint), its worth it, it looks amazing.
Damo

I knew it woudl be more than the Ralliart Colt but I would be prepared to pay that much extra for looks.
Foggy

This little riceburner is gonna turn some heads, especially when they see the price.

Given the strength of the British Pound against the Aussie Dollar, they’re going to have a tough time keeping the price competitive against the South African Golf GTi.
ed

its funny how i already knew about this news way before they announced it. the honda dealers here in perth have been telling me its coming during late february.

ive already put a deposit on one about 2 weeks ago. so ive pretty much bought the car. for now its going to be hard to determine how much im gonna pay but im pretty sure it’ll be around 40k. it wouldnt make sense for it to cost much more than that when a GTI is around that price. the sales manager said i was definately the first one in WA, and possibly the first one in Australia to buy one.

now i just gotta wait til around july to get behind the wheel. possibly august or september. cant wait!!

…actually i can. that’ll give me enough time to save up a lot of money! might get the optional 19′s. ive heard they ride well
Harry

That is one UGLY car.
Jules

I have just ordered this car as live in the uk, therefore have also had chance to drive it…. Its a flying machine and kitted with the optional 19in alloys and sat nav system…finishes it completely… I will think of you all waiting for yours while im hammering up the motorway here..!!!
Lazybones

“That is one UGLY car. “,

Are we looking at the same car? So now i’m curious, what don’t you like Harry. And what cars would you consider good looking?
http://www.alborzfallah.com alborz

This is one of the best looking cars on the market IMO.
Its a stunner, Honda design team need a raise.. Subaru design team need to get fired.
Paul

Lol waaaaaaaat? One of the best looking cars in the market!?!? Im in the same boat as other people, that is an ordinary looking car at best… I even showed these pics to a friend of mine who is Honda crazy and even he admitted it looked weird. Triangle fog lights, triangle exhaust tip, the whole rear end, the now small hatchback type body, the rear wing… the front is ok but the rest imo is ordinary.
Myke

I agree with alborz, although to many the styling is very strong and has unusual detailing, Honda have done well to present a vehicle that doesn’t look like any other. If you look at many other small-medium hatches they all share a similar shape. It might not suite everyone, but when you really push the design standards, that’s what happens.
Lazybones

Paul, this design is far from ordinary. I admit that most hot-hatches are following BMW/Audi for design cues. But the touches on this are great. Triangular features on tail pipes and lights, neat wing, subtle skirts (not over the top) the B pillar blends into the glass. I’m not sure its the best looking hot-hatch, i’d have to see it in the metal.
Paul

^

Well thats just my thoughts and a friends of mines who actually likes Hondas. At the very least its an aquired taste as its very bold. Personally I just really dislike the rear, mainly that dark centre part with the badge. Its general shape also reminds me of a Peugeot which Im not a massive fan of. Each unto their own.
Jules

What are u guys on? This is a stunning machine… if u read my earlier comment, i have driven this car and within 10 minutes bought one… amazing drive and handling and when u see the interior no-one will dispute its class and power. Trust me, when u see this and drive it you will all change mind.
OttoAu

Like the man said, Ugly, yeap ANOTHER Fugly vehicle from Japan, honda and subaru are getting real good at it [I know they can and have done better than the "thing"]

NOT a fan of vtec, it has bugger all torque and you have to rev its tits off to get it going, will be a pain to drive it once the novelty has worn off…

THE star buy for under $40k is the Mazda 3 MPS Turbo, will destroy the civic, the things a bloody V8 fighter [pity about the fwd]

O/A
Paul

^

Ive seen shots of the interior and it is very niiiice… certainly looks good for a Civic. And Im not disputing its credentials, if Integras are anything to go off it will be a agile little car. But for me and Im sure some others the looks aernt my thing, mainly the rear. In the cars defence, Im not really a hatchback fan.
ed

Dw no one really likes the rear. But the optional rear skirt does seem to make it more bearable. Some parts of the rear i do like, but other parts just seem like too much of a gamble. But like people say, dont be too sure until you see it in the flesh. This car has already changed the opinion of a lot people who dislike.

Also, it’d be nice if people would stop comparing the CTR to cars which have more cylinders under the bonnet or forced-induction. Honda IS claiming that its fast, but theyre not saying its the fastest or anything. The main reason why they want you to buy one is because they say its a really good drive. Thats it. Wanna go faster? get another car. Honda isnt trying to trick anyone into believing its faster than the other hot hatches with over 200bhp. At the end of the day, going fast isnt everything. If it is to you, then just accept that people drive cars for different reasons.

For some people, revving the guts out of a car is fun. Which other car lets you do that? I say, good on Honda for being different and giving people something new. Turbo-chargers and bigger engines are great, but so many hot hatches have them now. Whats the point in another?

Thats why im so sure on this car that ive already bought one. Even though i dont know the exact price.
b.slade

likeee a yello shit with worms in it…….
b.slade

ugly car with uglyy asss i agree with u mr harry….
Honda

common guys, they made an effort to design something unique that none other car has, yes the back is too F***big but hey u cant blame them, read the specifications, read what they put in the rear, they dont have independent rear suspention, they have a torsion bar, therfore they need extra space,

second they design the car to be also aero dynamic, its not all about the looks. When you sit in a car its all about the drive, stability, confort, handling, and also revving power. None other car can have all these, and honda did do an exectional good job.

I bet you 1million dollers you cant even design a small model car. So why are you people saying it is shit, while honda and the design team spent how many donkey years to design this car.

If Honda did make a turbo car, it would be like every other freaking turbo car!!!!, so what would be a difference anymore?

Honda wants to be unique, honda engine last longer than any other engine, part wise body wise, and everything else, u pay ur buck and that is what u get.

High reving power meaning u can hear ur car scream and everyone else around u.

You want turbo get one but u cant rev that to its tits because the head gasket will blow, piston would be flying and hell you would need to recon ur engine..now ask urself would u want that or not..and be happy to rev honda’s new type r’s tits off…
Psymon

Best looking car I have ever seen, all the people who hate it are afraid of change!
Ape

I wasn’t sure from the photos, but I’ve just seen a black one “in the flesh”. Absolutely stunning! I’m seriously thinking of buying one now.
http://heartlandfm.com Mark Chapman Smith

Would be my weapon of choice at the upcoming 12 hour Production Car Race in early 2008.
Would hammer the mountain all day and probably do real well on fuel burn and probably go all the way on it’s brakes.
Now if Honda will hand out one to find out, imagine the positve sales results the day after, just like the good old days of Bathurst.
But then again, this is a modern Corporate entity probably chocked full of accountants and trend setter caffine sippers who don’t know anything, especially Australian Motor Sport tradition.
Prospective sponsors can call 0410687600, probably have to buy one.
Mark Chapman Smith
Bill Streat

I have read all the literature on the Civic Type-R and, compared to most reviews of other cars,the responses to this car are almost unanimously positive. Rarely does this happen. The most severe critique came from a reviewer who got into a lather because the Type-R could not match the torque curve of the turbo-assisted opposition. As has been said, if you want that sort of power you have those other options. Previously, as the owner of two Nissan R32 GTRs, I have had a good sense of the thrill of turbo power but, traditionally, motoring afficiandos have rejoiced in the inspired engineering and subtelty of naturally aspirated sports cars (eg, the first MR2). In this sense the Type-R fits the bill coupled with its modern safety features. Anyway, who could/should be thrashing a car around public streets. I am buying the Type-R.
Andie

Sorry, I amnot your car user, but happend to find my 10-year-lost-contact friend who post his message in this website. His name is Bill Streat. I remember every word he shared with me, about his car, his GTRs, like a monster,etc.

Could you please forward my email address(andie.meng@cn.fortis.com) to him and ask him to contact me?

Thanks from China,

Andie