Story and pictures by ANTHONY LIM Honda Malaysia today unveiled the much-awaited Civic Type R and Civic Hybrid, bringing the current 8th Generation Civic line-up in Malaysia in line with that offered for the Japanese domestic market.
The 3rd generation Civic Type R that has made its way here is the JDM four-door FD2 sedan variant, which was launched in Japan at the end of March this year. Interestingly enough, Malaysia is the only country in Asia outside of Japan which is getting this version of the Type R.
Available here only in a single colour, Championship White, the new Civic Type R is powered by a 2.0l K20A DOHC i-VTEC engine offering 222bhp at 8,000rpm and 215Nm of torque at 6,100rpm, mated to a six-speed close ratio manual transmission equipped with a torque-sensitive, helical limited slip differential system.
A number of new power-enhancing features make their way onto the Type R’s powertrain, among them a straightened, short, single-tract and equal length intake manifold, a large diameter drive-by-wire throttle body, narrow angle exhaust manifold collector and full-length straightened dual exhaust pipe.
With a number of lightweight conversions, including a front bumper beam now made up of aluminium, the vehicle’s body measures in 11.6kg lighter than the Integra Type R. It is also 50% more rigid than the latter, courtesy of the use of additional adhesive and increased board thickness across key areas in the bulkhead and floor. The car also features extensive use of high tensile steel sheets in its construction.
Naturally, the suspension has also been reworked, and the Type R dampers have higher damping rates (1.25 times in front, 1.6 for the rear) than the previous Integra Type R, as well as an increased valve size and load capacity. The spring rates - and ground clearance over the standard Civic - have also been revised, and the stabiliser bars for both front and rear are thicker and stiffer.
The 1270kg Civic Type R sits on white, multi-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, fitted with 225/40 series Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tyres. As for the braking system, that’s also uprated - four-piston Brembo aluminium calipers and 320mm ventilated discs for the front, and 282mm discs for the rear ensure a shortened stopping distance and improved resistance to fade. A Type R aero kit, with a large tail spoiler in tow, rounds off the outside detail.
Inside, you get the trademark Type R dual-tone black and red trim on seats and door cards; the Type R front bucket seats feature the use of urethane in its construction, and are finished in Luxx Suede, an artificial suede material that is also used for the rear seats and door lining. A unique instrument panel and lots of aluminium bits and bobs - pedals, footrest, side step garnish, gear shift knob, serial number plate (located on the gear console) - help define the unique further.
Meanwhile, the Civic Hybrid plays the green card on the opposite end of the spectrum. This one is hoping to play its appeal to a group of customers who are not just environmentally conscious but also value efficiency and fuel economy.
At the heart of the petrol hybrid sedan, which comes in a colour called Fluorite Silver Metallic, is the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology system, first seen in 1999 and then extended to the Civic family in 2003.
The Civic Hybrid draws its power from a 1.3l i-DSI engine equipped with 3-stage i-VTEC variable valve timing, assisted by a secondary power source in the form of a fourth generation IMA system to offer improved power output, better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
The IMA system consists of an ultra-thin DC brushless electric motor mounted between the engine and the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) drivetrain; this provides additional torque and power by engaging during vehicle acceleration. At low speed cruising (about 40kmh), the motor solely powers the vehicle.
All the electric power created by the motor is stored in a compact battery box called the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) - consisting of a rear-mounted compact nickel metal hydride battery and power control unit - which controls the flow of electricity to and from the electric motor. Recharging takes place when braking, slowing down or traveling downhill; battery life is claimed to be about five to seven years.
Yes, prices. The Civic Type R is priced at RM199,800, while the Civic Hybrid is going for RM162,800 (both on-the-road, inclusive of road tax and insurance). Honda Malaysia is targeting an annual sales figure of 60 units each of the new Civic variants, and if you’re thinking of a Type R, well, be prepared for a bit of a wait - the quota for 2007 has been sold out.
