Spied: Bing-Winged Prototype Could be a Test Mule for the Next Honda Civic Type-R

Honda, a brand that used to be synonymous with performance cars for the masses, has toned down if not…completely erased its sporty side these past few years, something that has not gone unnoticed by consumers and fans alike.

However, it seems that the Japanese automaker has received the message and is making plans to revitalize itself by returning to its roots, as evidenced by the new NSX sports car that will go on sale within the next three years.

For the mainstream crowd in Europe, Japan and other markets worldwide sans North America, Honda appears to be preparing a replacement for one of its more popular models, the Civic Type R.

Our spy shooters spotted a prototype of the latest generation of the European market Civic hatchback featuring a large rear wing near Honda’s technical center at the Nürburgring, which we believe could be a test mule for the next Type R.

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Video: F1 Pilot Jenson Button Laps the Nurburgring in a Honda Civic Type-R

Honda has released an official video with its F1 pilot Jenson Button lapping the Nurburgring Nordschleife for the first time in his life with a 200 Hp Civic Type R. To be precise, the Japanese maker has published two videos, with the first containing the talk, and the second, the lap around the famous race track. –Videos after the jump

Via: Motorpasion & WindingRoad

Honda Civic Type-R Modulo: Racetrack Ready Concept To Debut At The 2008 Tokyo Salon

Along with the sporty Inspire Modulo Concept that we showed you earlier today (click here), Honda will also introduce a street-legal, track-ready version of the Civic Type-R sedan at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon in January. Apart from the racing livery, the Civic Type-R Modulo Concept’s exterior is enhanced by a wing spoiler, clear tail-lights and a set of cool 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/35 R19 rubber.

Not much, but wait until you take a look at the concept’s interior. Honda’s designers removed anything they could in order to lower the car’s weight. The door panels were replaced with carbon fibre, the door handles gave their place to latches while the stock front seats were swapped for a pair of impressive (and lightweight) Recaro bucket seats. Honda kinda overdid it with the carbon fibre as the lightweight material has been used among other things on the new sports steering wheel, the handbrake and the centre dash. -Continued after the jump

Since we don’t have the official press release in our hands, we don’t know if Honda proceeded to any mechanical changes. However, we did see from the pictures that the Civic Type-R Modulo Concept is fitted with electronically controlled adjustable dampers. We’ll have more on the concept closer to the Tokyo Auto Salon opening which is set for January 11, 2008.

Pics via: carview

Honda Civic Type-R To Make GB Rally Debut

JAS Motorsport’s Honda Civic Type R R3 rally car will make its GB debut on the Wales Rally this week (November 30 to December 2), the final round of the 2007 World Rally Championship. Former Junior World Champion Dani Sola will get behind the wheel in Great Britain as he did on the Catalunya Rally in Spain last month were he won the R3 class.

Dani Sola says: “Great Britain is one of my favorite gravel events because the stages really reward commitment. However, we are not underestimating the challenge ahead of us. As a team, we haven’t competed on gravel since July – and this new R3 car has never competed on gravel at all. Our mission will be to get the car to the finish and try to prove that we can be as competitive on gravel as we are on asphalt.” -Continued after the jump

Stefano Fini, JAS Motorsport’s chief engineer, added: “Our new R3 car is now on sale for our customers. The car is fully ready for any 2008 season, and we have already had a lot of interest from several different drivers and teams. We are confident that we will provide a competitive package for our customers, who will become valued members of the Honda family.”

2008 Honda Civic Type-R Tuned by INGS

Japanese tuning specialist INGS has released a new line of aftermarket accessories for the 2008 Honda Civic Type-R sedan. INGS avoided offering any sort of mods for the 221 PS naturally aspirated K20A 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine, preferring to concentrate on aerodynamic and chassis improvements. -Continued after the jump

The Type-R’s grip is upgraded with the adoption of 18-inch INGS Sports TS06 alloy rims wrapped in Bridgestone POTENZA RE-01R tyres (255/35 R18 Front - 225/40 R18 Rear) along with a new suspension from Endless ZEAL / Function X. Braking power is enhanced Endless 6-pot calipers on the front axle.

Other mods include the 5Zigen muffler, the Takata / MPH-340R seat belts and INGS’ impressive bodykit that consists of new front and rear bumpers, side-skirts and a Jumbo-Jet size rear wing.

Via: Jpcnews , Source: ings

Video Honda Civic Type-R: Euro Hatch vs Japanese Sedan

We first thought of titling this post “War Of The Civic Worlds”, but we ended up with the palpable “vs thingamajig” -but what am I talking about, let’s just get to the point. In Fifth Gear’s latest episode, Vicky Butler pitted the European built and marketed 200 Hp Honda Civic Type-R hatch against its Japanese bred spouse, the 225 Hp Civic Type-R Sedan. Don’t worry, we’ve no intention of spoiling the party by telling you who won. -Click “Read More…” to see the video