Archive for 2006 Honda Civic

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd has put up teaser newspaper ads (see scans above) advertising the Honda Civic Type R and the Honda Civic Hybrid today, and the teaser ads state an August 2nd 2007 launching date – that’s tomorrow!

Many have interpreted the Honda Civic Concept Mugen as a teaser to the official introduction of the new Civic Type R sedan here in Malaysia, and it looks like our suspicions have come true! Another manufacturer-backed higher performance model here in Malaysia.

We will probably be able to get more information on the car tomorrow, but for the moment if you want a recap on what the Civic Type R is all about, read the following links:

Related Posts:
2007 Honda Civic Type R Sedan Concept
2007 Honda Civic Type R Sedan Details

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd has updated the 2.0S version of it’s 8th generation 2006 Honda Civic, a move that I see as an effort to further differentiate the 1.8S and 2.0S models. I’ve heard that many people are dissatisfied that the two versions look similiar externally, even sharing the same sporty chrome dual exhaust tips.

The only difference is the 1.8S is missing the red 2.0 liter badge at the rear, and the 2.0S has a different alloy wheel design, however the size and tyres are the same – 16 inch sized wheels wrapped with Eagle NCT5 tyres.

With this update, the Honda Civic 2.0S now has 17 inch alloy wheels and come with performance tyres – Michelin Pilot Preceda. The new enhanced Civic goes for RM128,800. There is also a new exclusive 2.0S color option – Sparkle Gray Pearl.

Click here to read the rest of Honda Malaysia updates the Honda Civic 2.0S

Honda Malaysia has announced the availability of a limited edition Honda Civic Concept Mugen, a 90 unit run of the Honda Civic 2.0S equipped with a MUGEN bodykit which consists of a front and rear lip, side skirts and a rear wing, and MUGEN GP 17 inch wheels which comes in either gunmetal or bronze. On the interior, the serial number of the car will be displayed on a plague on the dashboard for bragging rights

Out of the 90 units, 50 will come with bronze wheels while the remaining 40 will have the gunmetal version. Done up in a nice Neutron Blue color, the Honda Civic Concept Mugen was developed to commemorate Honda’s 4 consecutive years of outstanding performance in the MME Class A race, as well as a recently achieved milestone of 100,000 registered cars on the road. Of course, the Honda Civic 2.0S also won the Autocar Asean Overall Car of the Year 2006 and the Midsize sedan/hatch 2006 category.

The Honda Civic Concept Mugen will be available in Honda dealers from 22nd November 2006 onwards, and will retail at RM141,800.00 inclusive of road tax and insurance. More photos after the jump. (Updated!)

Click here to read the rest of Honda Civic Concept Mugen 2.0 Limited Edition

Together with the road-going version of the Honda Civic Type R, Honda is also launching a special track use only version of the Civic Type R, developed together with Italy’s JAS Motorsport. The JAS Motorsport Honda Civic Type R complies with the FIA’s GrN, GrA and GrR specifications and is expected to be available from Spring 2007.

This special track Honda Civic Type R’s K20 powerplant produces over 200 horsepower updated with re-profiled camshafts as well as strengthened components like a reinforced driveshaft, and an advanced LSD with adjustable preload forces. Other components like suspension, springs, brakes and shocks have been replaced with race-grade components. The gearbox has gone from a 6-speed manual to a 6-speed sequential manual. Interior upgrades include a rollcage, a carbon fiber dash, door panels and floor panels.

Click here to read the rest of JAS Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R

The Honda Civic Type R will not be restricted to just the European market – we will be seeing a 4-door sedan version of the Type R this time! Honda has announced a prototype Honda Civic Type R based on the 4-door sedan model that will be used as the official car (red flag car) for the Japanese Formula 1 grand prix.

The prototype is expected to finish development and be released in Spring 2007, in the Japanese market. The Honda Civic Type R sedan will have a specially tuned sport suspension and will feature the legendary K20 i-VTEC high-revving engine, over 220PS.

Honda seems to have noticed a demand for cars that are somewhat practical (4 doors!) and can also go at a comfortable pace, this began with the introduction of the American market Honda Civic Si Sedan Concept at the Chicago Motor Show.

Source

Click here to read the rest of 2007 Honda Civic Type R Sedan Concept

Honda has announced the next generation 2007 Honda Civic Type R, which will go on sale in the European market in March 2007. It will be built in Swindon and will come in standard and GT trims, where the latter will feature more creature comfort equipment such as dual zone air conditioning, fog lights, and automatic rain and light sensors as well additional safety equipment in the form of curtain SRS airbags.

The high revving K20 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC engine incorporates both variable valve timing and variable valve lift. The switchover point to the high-lift long duration cams is now lower at 5,200rpm, and if the orgasmic change in engine note is not enough, there is now an i-VTEC indicator on the dashboard meter panel (now illuminated in red instead of blue) which lights up when the high cams in use. Peak power is now 201PS at 8,000rpm instead of the previous 200PS at 7,400rpm.

Compared to the previous Type R, the car is slightly heavier in terms of kerb weight but this is offset by shorter gear ratios. This allows the new Type R to match the previous generation’s 6.6 second 0-100km/h acceleration time and 235km/h top speed.

Suspension is based on the 3-door Civic Type S, but refined for sharper chassis dynamics. Tyres are 225/40/ZR18 which wrap 7-spoke 18 inch wheels, and rear track is 20mm wider than the 5-door model, another similiarity with the Type S. Sharper chassis dynamics is achieved via a 15mm reduction in ride height, extra strenghtening into the floor cross member just ahead of the central fuel tank, around the upper front suspension mountings, while the lower cross member (just ahead of the engine bay) provides greater rigidity.

There are also news of an upcoming Civic Type RR, which is tuned more for the track – it will have bigger brakes, and a lightened chassis, etc. More photos after the jump, and enlarged versions are available by clicking on the smaller photo.

Click here to read the rest of 2007 Honda Civic Type R announced!

For fans of the new 2006 Honda Civic, you will be able to see race-prepared versions of them in action at the 12-hour Merdeka Millenium Endurance race (MME) 2006 at Sepang International Circuit held on August 27, 2006.

Team Honda Racing, which won the Class A Champion title for 3 years consecutively will be the first team in the world to use the new 8th generation 2006 Honda Civic as race cars. The stock Honda Civic chassis is taken off the assembly line, and is strenghtened using techniques like double spot welding. Then the car is painted white, any race Honda that is not predominantly white would just be wrong. The car is then hand built by the Honda Malaysia Racing Team.

[UPDATED: More photos after the jump!]

Click here to read the rest of Honda Malaysia Racing Team’s MME Civic

Meet Clover, Honda’s ambassador to the Fruitstock festival. Honda is using this 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid with a Heifer cow based paintjob to promote hybrid technology as well as educate the public on how hybrid technology works. The Fruitstock Festival held at Regent’s Park London is a free festival for the family where people can buy music, food, basically they have activities lined up for the whole family.

The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid has an i-VTEC Integrated Motor Assist powerplant which combined the use of a 1,339cc gas engine with a 158V electric motor. For more details on the Honda Hybrid i-VTEC system, click here.

I had the opportunity to test drive the 2006 Honda Civic 1.8S and the 2006 Honda Civic 2.0S on a nice Saturday morning thanks to Jeremy and Shannon from the New Straits Times lifestyle section. This is part three of a three part series. Click here to read part 1 and here to read part 2.

Click here to read the rest of 2006 Honda Civic Test Drive – Part 3

Honda has been seen testing it’s 2007 Honda Civic Type R on German grounds. The 2007 Honda Civic Type R will be based on the three-door version of the Honda Civic Euro. Previously, Honda showcased a 2007 Honda Civic Type R Concept at the Geneva Motor Show, a stunning kitted out yellow speed demon. The 2007 Honda Civic Type R will likely feature a 220hp i-VTEC engine similiar to the one found in the Acura RSX. The car will be front-wheel drive, no SH-AWD (Superior Handling All Wheel Drive) for this little speed demon. Two more photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of 2007 Honda Civic Type R Spyshots