Honda CEO Confirms New NSX and “Hot” 2012 Civic Type R

[2003 Honda HSC Concept pictured above]

Last April, we told you about Honda CEO Takanobu Ito's plans for a successor to the much-missed NSX supercar. Ito had then hinted that the “new NSX” would be more environmentally friendly, possibly using a hybrid powertrain like the Japanese firm's new small coupe, the CR-Z.

On the sidelines of this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Ito-San reaffirmed the company's commitment to build an NSX successor.

“I spent part of my early career at Honda developing the NSX, and specifically the aluminium body," Ito told reporters from UK's Autocar. "I really enjoyed the experience and learned much, so my wish is that Honda engineers have the experience of developing a sportscar like the NSX in the future. Within Honda, our engineers are already looking at developing such a car,” he added.

Read more »

Honda Bids Farewell to Current Civic with a 260HP Mugen-Tuned Type R 2.2 Special

With the world premiere of the all-new European Civic hatchback at the Frankfurt Motor Show right around the corner, Honda decided to bid farewell to the outgoing model with the development of a hardcore version of the limited run Type R Mugen that may be offered to the public.

Confused? Allows us to explain. Last year, in collaboration with its in-house tuning division Mugen, Honda built 20 examples of the Civic Type R Mugen that features an uprated 2.0-liter K20 four-cylinder engine producing 240-horsepower. Of the 20 cars built, four remain unsold.

Read more »

Mugen’s Supercharged Honda CR-Z Hybrid Prototype Debuts on Film

With development of the new Honda CR-Z Mugen concept nearing its end, the Japanese automaker decided it’s time to release the first video of the supercharged hybrid model on the road before its world premiere at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

The prototype CR-Z is the collaborative work of Honda UK and its in-house tuning shop Mugen Euro. The hotted-up hybrid sports car feature modifications to the 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine with the addition of a supercharger as well as to the Honda IMA system.

Read more »

First Photos of Honda’s Hot CR-Z Mugen, Early Tests Show better Performance than Civic Type R

Honda's sporty-looking CR-Z hybrid will finally get the performance to back its looks, as the Japanese carmaker teamed up with its tuning partner Mugen Euro to develop a high-performance version of the hybrid model. As we wrote earlier this year, the car will be unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, but until then, you can take a look at the first official photos of the car to see if they match the sketches released by Honda two months ago.

The Japanese company says development of the CR-Z Mugen is on track, with “performance figures already looking promising”. Honda revealed that early tests with a prototype car based on a standard CR-Z and a mid-tune engine have given 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint times around that of the European market Civic Type R (6.6 seconds). Later on, Mugen increased output by another 15 percent and reduced the chassis' weight by 50 kilograms, so that overall performance is expected to be even better than the Type R's.

Read more »

New Honda Civic Concept to be Unwrapped at Detroit Show, Previews Production Model

What you see pictured above is an official rendering of the Honda Civic Concept, which will be revealed in the flesh at the upcoming 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January 2011. According to the Japanese automaker, the concept is more of a pre-production study that will preview the actual, ninth-generation 2012 Civic, which will go on-sale in North America in spring next year.

The illustration depicts a coupe model with possible styling influences from the European market Civic hatchback (front) and the North American Accord Coupe (profile). Honda did not release any specific details on the car, but we suspect that we'll learn more within the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned.

Read more »

Honda gives away Original Civic Type R Mugen Concept to one Lucky Chap

Remember the red-colored Civic Type R Mugen Concept that Honda showed in the summer of 2009 before the model received the green light for a limited run of 20 units in the UK? Well, the one-off concept car that was used as a test-bed for the production model and which is worth over £60,000, was given away in a draw to celebrate Honda's participation in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The competition proved quite successful attracting more than 24,000 entries.

Read more »

Report: Honda to kill Civic Nameplate in Japan

According to media reports, Honda's Civic will cease Japanese sales as soon as the current inventory is gone. This decision is said to be the result of increased demand for minivans and smaller cars, but that doesn't mean the Civic is going anywhere for you and me. Honda will continue to sell the entry-level compact, which is set to be replaced next year, in international markets where demand is still strong.

Read more »

2011 Honda Civic Type R Euro Launched in Japan, Limited to 1,500 Units

Honda has introduced a new model year version of its British-built Civic Type R Euro in Japan. The 2011MY batch will be the last of this model series to make its way to Japan as production of the current generation three-door Civic Type R has been terminated in Europe because its 2.0-litre VTEC engine does not meet the Euro V emissions regulations.

Read more »

Honda to Terminate Civic Type R Sedan

It's the end of the road for Honda's Civic Type R sedan as the Japanese automaker announced it will discontinue production of the car at the end of August, 2010. However, Honda will make amends to fans by continuing to import the three-door Civic Type R Euro hatchback into Japan.

Read more »

VIDEO: Introducing the Honda Enthusiasts FF Squad

The folks over from the creative agency BRWUSA have sent over some videos "about a group of Honda enthusiasts" known as the FF Squad. Now before you think, "God, if it's ten minutes, forget it," don't worry. They're short and sweet.

Quality cinematography? Check. Funky music? Check. Real life story about normal people driving normal cars and their passion for them? Big Check.

Do yourself a favor, take three minutes out of your day and watch them; these videos will make you want to go out, buy a beater, build it up, and then go race it (if you haven't already). I'm liking this series in a big way. We can only hope there's more to come. Videos after the jump.

Read more »

Honda to Release Refreshed 2011MY Civic Type R Euro in Japan this Fall

Seeing that the limited edition 2009 Civic Type R Euro hot hatch has been well received in Japan, exceeding sales of 1,850 units since its release in November of last year, Honda has decided to offer its domestic buyers a second run of its hot hatch.

The Japanese automaker said that it will soon reveal a 2010 model year version of the Civic Type R Euro with an "updated exterior design", without getting into any specific details.

Read more »

New Honda Civic Type R MUGEN 200: Another Limited Edition Special

In addition to the jam-packed Civic Type R MUGEN with its tweaked 240HP 2.0-liter i-VTEC, of which only 20 units will be sold in the UK at a hefty £38,599 a piece (approximately US$60,300 or €44,400 at today's exchange rates), Honda today announced that it will offer a less hardcore variant of the hot hatch without the performance upgrades.

Aptly named the Civic Type R MUGEN 200, the special edition model is based on the three-door European model and features the same 201-horsepower 2.0-liter high-revving i-VTEC as the standard model.

As its name suggests, only 200 examples of the special Type R models will be made with sales set to start in the UK in April.

So, what makes this variant stand out? Offered exclusively in a Championship White exterior finish, the MUGEN 200 features the same aero parts as the 240HP model, including a new front bumper, side skirts, a huger rear wing and a different rear bumper with an integrated diffuser housing two jumbo-sized tail pipes.

The 19-inch alloy wheels, glossy black door mirrors, Mugen badges, an individually numbered plaque and the standard limited-slip differential complete the MUGEN package.

Honda said that a range of tuning parts to enhance the chassis will also be available as dealer fit options.

More details as well as pricing on the MUGEN 200 will be revealed in March.

Honda Civic Type-R Championship White: Special Edition Model with LSD Debuts in Paris

Even though all the spotlights were turned on the new Insight Hybrid (check our mega gallery here), Honda’s Paris Motor Show stand also hosted another interesting premiere that will definitely seize the attention of the brand’s hardcore fans. As the name clearly points out, the limited edition Civic Type R is offered for the first time since the introduction of the latest generation model in 2007, in a white paint finish. But there’s more. -Continued

The Civic Type R’s 200HP 2.0 litre i-VTEC engine is now mated with a Limited Slip Differential that promises to sharpen the car’s handling and driving dynamics. According to the company’s officials, the special edition Civic Type-R Championship White with the LSD managed to shave 1.44 seconds off the standard car’s time around Honda’s test track in Tsukaba, Japan.

As well as the distinctive white paint finish and the LSD, the special edition Civic Type R also sports 18-inch white alloy wheels, a contrasting smoke chrome finish on the badges, door handles, fuel lid and front grille along with an exclusive Type R plaque. Sales are expected to begin in Europe from the end of the year.

Honda Releases Civic Type S Fireblade Replica

Honda has introduced a limited edition version of the 3door Civic Type S in Italy inspired from the company’s CBR1000RR Fireblade motorcycle. The Civic Type S Fireblade Replica is equipped with Honda’s 2.2-liter i-CTDi turbo diesel engine that delivers 140 Hp at 4,000 rpm and 340 Nm (250.7 lb-ft) of torque at 2,000 rpm. Matted to 6-speed manual gearbox, the Type S can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 8.6 sec and on to a top speed of 205 km/h (127mph). According to Honda, the Type S achieves an avg fuel consumption of 5.2lt /100km or 45.2mpg U.S.

Available in three exterior colors - Black, Red and Silver, the Civic Type S Fireblade Replica is distinguished on the outside by the newly designed front and rear bumper air vents, both of which are finished in graphite color. Furthermore, the mirror caps, the door handles and the fuel cap are finished in graphite which is also the color of choice for the new 18-inch alloy wheel that look absolutely stunning. -Continued

The special edition Civic Type S also receives a set of “Fireblade” badges (in and out) along with new floor mats in –what else- graphite color. Prices in Italy for the Civic Type S Fireblade start at €25,190 ($39,900 with the current exchange rates).

Tokyo Auto Salon: Mugen Honda Jazz/Fit, Civic & S2000 Concepts

Even though the show lasts for a couple of days only, those Tokyo boyz are rolling off concepts faster than a DSG transmission changes gears! On its part Honda specialist Mugen revealed spiced up versions of the Jazz/Fit, Civic Sedan and the S2000 Roadster.

As with the majority of the Tokyo presentations, information concerning the cars is more limited than our knowledge of black holes so once again we’ll have to be consent with any images we’ve got on our hands -for now that is. Undoubtedly Mugen’s most impressive show car is the “Open-Top Sports Concept” or to make its simple a barchetta version of the S2000 with an eye-catching bodykit that we’d just love to take it for a drift –wouldn’t you?

Albeit less impressive, the other two Mugen concepts are the “Road to Racing Concept” which is based on the Civic Sedan featuring a bodykit reminiscent of the 4door Type-R (although that looked much cooler thanks to its polar white colour) & the “Fit Spec-D” which well, is a supped-up Fit (Jazz).

Technorati: Mugen, Honda+Jazz, Honda+fit, Honda+S2000, Honda+Civic, Tokyo+Auto+Salon, bodykit, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images