Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it will sell a limited number (2010 units) of its premium sports model Civic Type R Euro in the Japanese market. This trendy little sports car has marked the Civic’s success in the European markets, delivering superior performance with a quality ride and affordable price. The Civic Type R Euro is manufactured for the European markets by Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd. While this marks the second time that the model is exported to Japan, Honda hopes to captures the minds of the Japanese audience with probable hopes of making this model a mainstay, following the introduction of the 4-door Civic type R that was introduced in 2007 and soon went on to win the “best of circuit” performer.

Designed to deliver an exhilarating driving experience the Civic Type R Euro comes equipped with a specially designed 2.0l engine with a max. output of 148kW (201PS)/ 7,800rpm. It comes with a custom intake manifold that improves torque features over a broader speed range while also ensuring a higher output at high rpms. The engine comes equipped with a secondary balancer that helps keep the engine noise and secondary vibration low – thereby ensuring a perfectly smooth ride even while exploring the boundaries of this vehicles performance.

The spacious interior, which according to Honda is “designed to enhance a feeling of oneness between the car and driver” is complemented with custom instrument panes, front bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheels, dual control air conditioning, vehicle-speed sensitive volume control, EPS (Electronic Power Steering) and a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. The safety features are not overlooked amidst all the performance & styling improvements with the ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) Body designed specifically to protect the occupants. All this while still complying with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport emission regulations for 2005.

Press Release after the jump.

Press Release

Honda Releases the Civic Type R Euro in Japan

November 5, 2009 – Honda Motor co., Ltd. announced that it will begin sales of a limited number of the Civic Type R Euro, a premium sports model with a distinctive, stylish form and performance that was forged on European roads. Only 2,010 units will be available for sale in Japan.

The Civic Type R Euro is a premium sports model built for mature customers who enjoy exciting driving performance together with a refined ride. It delivers supple handling and exhilarating, prodigious output over a wide range.

The Civic Type R Euro is equipped with a specially designed, 2.0l naturally aspirated engine (max. output: 148kW (201PS)/ 7,800rpm) paired with a responsive, 6-speed manual transmission. A lighter, more rigid body shell, specially tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels contribute to the Civic Type R’s ability to push the performance envelope. Custom aerodynamic components enhance the body’s already outstanding aerodynamic form, while interior features including a custom 3-spoke, small-diameter, leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum ball-type shift knob, and Honda R spec seats enhance the driver’s sense of oneness with the vehicle.

The ultimate driving performer in the European Civic series, the Civic Type R Euro is manufactured in the United Kingdom by Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd. This is the second time since 2001 that this model has been exported to Japan. Type R models are sporty models which are specially tuned to highlight the base model’s driving performance to pursue the joy of driving and provide a racing-like feel. With two models of Civic Type R now available in Japan—the 4-door Civic Type R introduced in 2007 as a ‘best of circuit’ performer and now the European-evolved Civic Type R Euro—Honda continues to deliver the joy of driving and the satisfaction of superior performance.

Key Features of the Civic Type R Euro
< Exterior >

· The exterior form of the Civic Type R Euro expresses a distinctively honed, stylish refinement reminiscent of the body of a highly trained athlete.

· Custom aerodynamic components are designed to achieve the ideal balance between aerodynamic performance and styling (including mesh grill, aerodynamic garnishes, and a colored tailgate spoiler).

· A large engine under-cover, floor under-cover, suspension beam cover and other components are employed to smooth out overall airflow beneath the vehicle for enhanced aerodynamic efficiency.

· The distinctive Type R red “H” emblem is complemented with a special Civic Type R Euro insignia.

< Interior >

· The interior is designed to enhance the feeling of oneness between car and driver, while refined materials and exhilarating styling resonate with a mature sensibility. (Includes 3-spoke, small-diameter, leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum ball-type shift knob, Honda R spec seats, and metal sports-type pedals and footrest.)

· The custom Honda R spec front bucket seats are designed to provide full-surface contact that wraps around the driver’s body, ensuring both the firm hold required for sporty driving and the comfort that is indispensable on longer trips.

· The custom instrument panel features a multiplex i-VTEC engine rev indicator with self-illumination, red lighting, and illumination control that is strategically located for minimum eye movement during high-speed driving. Engine rpm is indicated by a series of lights that illuminate incrementally as the engine revs higher, allowing the driver to concentrate more completely on driving.

· An aluminum emblem displays the car’s serial number.

< Comfort Features >

· The Civic Type R Euro comes equipped with full auto air conditioning with independent right and left temperature controls and a rear heater duct.

· The sound system includes a CD player with AM/FM tuner, vehicle speed-sensitive volume control, six speakers, illuminated audio remote control switch, and USB/AUX jack.

· Other luxury features include EPS (Electric Power Steering), a parking sensor system, and keyless entry system.

< Engine >

· The naturally-aspirated, K20A 2.0l DOHC i-VTEC engine features a higher compression ratio, head ports finished using an NSX-style process to attain a smoother surface for lower intake and exhaust resistance, and optimized intake and exhaust systems and valve timing, to deliver high revs and high output.
Maximum output: 148kW (201PS) / 7,800rpm (net value)
Maximum torque: 193N·m (19.7kg·m) / 5,600rpm (net value)

· Drive-By-Wire (DBW) provides for finer tuning of throttle response and power output.

· The custom intake manifold ensures high output at high rpms while also improving torque characteristics over a broad engine speed range.

· The engine is equipped with a secondary balancer to reduce engine noise and secondary vibration, while the intake system is tuned to produce a refined roar under acceleration as the engine climbs toward the redline.

< Transmission >

· The Civic Type R Euro comes equipped with a close-ratio, 6-speed manual transmission.

· Optimized gear ratios ensure both high top speeds and nimble acceleration.

· The short-stroke shifter with aluminum ball-type shift knob delivers a sporty shift feel.

< Lightweight, high-rigidity body and chassis >

· The lightweight, high-rigidity body capitalizes on the outstanding layout of the base vehicle (European Civic 5-door), with expanded use of high-strength steel in strategic locations.

· In addition to a spacious interior, the center-tank layout provides a low center of gravity to ensure superior driving stability.

· Outstanding handling stability is achieved with a specially tuned suspension, high performance 18-inch wheels, and a torque-sensitive helical limited slip differential.

· Equipped with VSA (ABS + TCS + sideslip control).

· Equipped with ABS with custom tuned EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution system) and Brake Assist.

· Custom front brake calipers feature the Type R logo.

· Equipped with custom 18-inch tires (225/40R18 88Y) on custom 18-inch lightweight aluminum wheels.

< Safety Performance >

· The Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body is designed to help protect vehicle occupants and to mitigate damage to other vehicles in the event of a front-end collision.

· The vehicle is also designed to help mitigate pedestrian injury in the event of a collision due to the use of impact-absorbing structures.

· Driver and front-passenger SRS airbags are standard equipment.

· The front seats are equipped with 3-point, load-limiting ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seatbelts with pretensioners. Rear seats are equipped with 3-point, ELR/ALR (child seat securing mechanism) seatbelts.

· Equipped with HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights (low beam, with auto-leveling).

· Equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system.

< Environmental Performance >

· The Civic Type R Euro complies with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport emissions regulations for 2005.

· PVC use has been eliminated from interior components and the body undercoat, and significantly reduced elsewhere throughout the vehicle. Use of lead has also been eliminated wherever possible.

· Adoption of recyclable materials has resulted in overall vehicle recyclability of more than 90%*.