Honda Civic Type R and Type S: In Depth

Press Release

The Type R’s driver focused cabin

The interior of the Civic Type R combines elements from motor racing and from high-quality sports cars, thus providing a decent amount of comfort. Large black Alcantara bolsters with red stitching provide the driver and front seat passenger with both good side grip and an ergonomically perfect sitting position. With their red fabric, the seat cushions, backs and rear seats offer a visual contrast. The dials in the fascia are also red illuminated and set off by brushed metal switch panels. The steering wheel is covered in perforated leather with red stitching. The gear-shift knob, machined from aluminium, projects stylishly from a black leather boot – also with red stitching. An added touch of exclusivity is provided by the plaque engraved with the unique serial number of the Civic Type R.

Practical Storage Areas

Numerous storage areas and compartments enable you to accommodate driving accessories of various sizes. The glovebox itself has a capacity of 14 litres and contains a separate map pocket inside the damped lid. If required, the glove box can be provided with cold air from the air-conditioning unit, to keep snacks and drinks cool underway. The front door pockets are equipped to hold 500 ml bottles and maps.

The centre pocket is intended for smaller items such as a mobile phone, while there’s a double cup holder stored behind the cigarette lighter and ashtray. The centre console box is able to accommodate all sorts of small items, or a music library of up to 22 CDs.

Type S: Superior 140 HP output – a choice of petrol or diesel

The buyer of the new Type S can choose between two 140 HP (103 kW) engines. The petrol engine is a 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC one, which has already made its debut in the Civic 5-door. The diesel unit is a modern 2.2-litre i-CTDi engine. Both are combined with 6-speed manual gearboxes whose careful spread of ratios exploits their potential to the full. Optionally available on the 1.8 Type S is Honda’s 6-speed automated manual transmission, i-SHIFT which offers the choice of automated changes or manual changes also via steering wheel mounted paddles.

Among the rev-happy 1.8-litre engine’s technical highlights are comprehensive friction-reduction measures and an innovative intake valve timing arrangement. During cruising and low load conditions, closure of the intake valves is retarded and the throttle valve is opened wide to minimise pumping losses. This allows the power-reducing throttle loss to be reduced. Since an open throttle valve would normally cause fierce acceleration, a technical trick is used. Delayed intake valve closure allows some of the air/fuel mixture to be momentarily expelled back out of the combustion chamber, preventing the speed from increasing. In comparison with conventional engineering, the use of this device produces considerable fuel economy.

In other aspects the i-VTEC system operates as it has in the past and switches the valve timing during acceleration to achieve powerful, torquey performance. A drive-by-wire system provides precise control of the throttle while the valve timing is switched over, ensuring the changes are imperceptible to the driver.
These technical enhancements combine to achieve class leading performance that's on a par with a 2.0-litre engine. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h of 8.9 seconds (i-SHIFT 10.9 seconds) and fuel consumption of 6.6 l/100 km (i-SHIFT 6.8) Combined, mean it establishes new standards for this size of engine.

The diesel engine’s advanced design and construction delivers a maximum torque of 340 Nm at just 2,000 rpm. It's a transversely mounted, 4-cylinder unit, four valves per cylinder, balancer shaft, second generation common rail direct injection, and variable nozzle turbocharger with intercooler. Combined cycle consumption is just 5.2 l/100 km, while this auto-ignition engine gives acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds.

Type R: high-revving 2.0-litre engine

The Type R’s 2.0 litre DOHC i-VTEC naturally–aspirated engine featuring VTC variable inlet camshaft technology has undergone extensive reworking. It is now more responsive and, thanks to the new electronic throttle valve and the addition of a balancer shaft, is more smooth-running.

The engine continues to offer the same high torque and exciting driving experience as before, but the high rpm VTEC range is now broader and more accessible. The switch to long duration valve timing in the reworked engine covers the range from 5,400 to 8,000 rpm up to the peak power output of 201 HP. With previous engines, this output was available up to a speed of 7,900 rpm. The driver is informed of the cam change via an i-VTEC indicator just to the right of the digital speedometer.

The 100 km/h sprint comes up in 6.6 seconds and top speed is 235 km/h, performance figures that are identical to the Civic Type R in its previous incarnation, yet the engine’s delivery is now more harmonic.

Improved aerodynamics in comparison with its predecessor, combined with a gear ratio that makes better usage of the high-revving engine, ensure that the somewhat greater kerb weight is completely compensated for.

Suspension settings Type S and Type R

The surefooted handling of the Civic 5-door’s MacPherson strut/torsion beam chassis provided the ideal basis for the more sporty requirements of the latest Civic derivatives.

The Type S introduces revised spring and damper settings which deliver sharper chassis dynamics, while a 20 mm wider rear track and 17� light alloy wheels shod with 225/45 YR17 tyres provide enhanced grip.

The Type R’s overtly sporting character is reflected in an even more highly-tuned set up, with unique spring, damper and bush characteristics as well as a 15 mm reduced ride height. In addition, it takes the already stiff Civic body structure and introduces extra strengthening in the forward floor area, around the upper suspension mountings, and across the front of the engine bay to provide a rock-solid platform for even more responsive handling.

The Type R’s 18� alloy wheels and 225/40 YR18 tyres and exclusive steering-assist setting contribute to the car’s pin sharp responses to driver input. The ventilated front brake discs are 282 mm diameter on Type S models and 300 mm on Type R models. Both feature 260 mm solid discs at the rear.

Extensive safety measures

Civic Type S and Type R are equipped with ABS, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking to the right or left hand wheels as necessary and managing the throttle and brake systems.

Passive safety has always been paramount at Honda and as well as front, side and curtain SRS airbags and double pre-tensioners on the front seatbelts, Civic models have an innovative seat belt reminder system for rear passengers displayed on the instrument panel. The SRS unit determines the status of each seatbelt buckle and sends the information to the display.

Active front seat headrests on Type S play a key role in protecting against the unpleasant consequences of a rear-end collision. They are shot forward by the movement of the body and protectively hold the rear of the occupant’s head.

The Type R features large supportive headrests that are integral with the backs of the bucket seats.

Long Live Sport

Lightweight Type R

A lightweight Type R will be available in the future especially for use in competition. To save weight, elements such as the audio system, rear load cover, engine undercover noise insulation material are deleted. The slimmed down version brings the weight down by an impressive 40 kilograms. In addition, the car can also be kitted out with a whole range of parts from JAS-Motorsport (see below).

Civic Type R race car

The Civic Type R has proved popular in European motor sport circles since its introduction in 2002. Honda is aiming for even greater success with the latest Type R and since June 2006, Italy-based JAS Motorsport, Honda’s official partner in customer racing support since 1998, has been working closely with Honda R&D to develop the new car to Group N, Group A and the new Group R specifications.

The programme has produced an exciting range of advanced racing parts for competition level racing, including the early availability of components for GrR, a new set of rules that FIA is intending to introduce in 2008, and which impose price restrictions on individual components for the first time. These components will also be homologated simultaneously in GrA, allowing drivers to race and gain experience in the GrA category in 2007 before the switch to GrR on 1 January 2008, without any additional cost.

In addition to this engineering relationship, JAS Motorsport continues to provide an extensive range of services to Honda racing customers, including a free of charge telephone advice facility and full racing support on race tracks and rally events.

Key components include suspension parts, 5 and 6-speed sequential gearboxes; reinforced driveshafts; an adjustable limited slip differential; a chrome molybdenum steel roll cage; lightweight carbon fibre interior parts (door panels, dashboard trims and floor panels); and a variety of engine components such as reprofiled camshafts and a programmable Engine Control Unit which also includes a competition data logger.