First look: Rebel Yellow Civic

YOU only need a quick glance at the Honda enthusiast website www.vtec.net to realise there is a huge pent-up-demand for a new Civic Type-R.

So the Geneva show car, based on a three-door Civic hatch, which is yet to be released in Europe, is stirring plenty of web traffic across the world.

If Honda needs any inspiration it need not look any further than the positive comments about the egg-yellow show car.

But don’t get too excited, we already know the European-styled Honda Civic hatch is a long way off for Australia, so the unveiling of the Type-R concept joins our wish-list of highly desirable Hondas.

The Type-R concept borrows its 150kW 2.0-litre i-VTEC naturally aspirated four-cylinder from the previous model but wraps it in a stylish three-door, the sexy coupe borrowing from the Civic five-door hatch, which will only be sold in Europe.

The new Civic three-door, which shares DNA with this Type-R Concept model, goes on sale there later this year.

Visually, the three door follows the Euro five-door’s stylish wedge-shape, with a deep windscreen, broad corporate grille and a lower ride height.

The appropriate go-fast bits are also apparent, from the mesh grille insert, "aero" style exterior mirrors, body kit combined with aggressive front and rear spoilers and 10-spoke alloys.

The "Type-R" moniker along the car’s flanks clearly stamp the high-revving i-VTEC’s intent.



Although specific details of the Type-R concept remain sketchy, rumours out of Japan suggest that apart from a three-door, there will also be a four-door variant with a slightly more tuned version of the Civic Si sedan engine at around 160kW to 165kW.

The four-door is gaining currency as the Civic RS, based on the Civic sedan Si Concept shown at the recent Chicago motor show.

According to Honda, more than 35,000 Type-R customers world-wide fell in love with the low-volume car during its short production run.

Honda announced last year that it would build a successor, and while the previous model is a tough act to follow, the credentials of the Type-R Concept suggests that the new car will attract a whole new wave of enthusiasts.

Honda Motor Co Ltd president and CEO, Takeo Fukui said the concept was "born with Honda racing DNA... and sure to appeal to customers who want more of Honda’s emotional driving characteristics. Enthusiasts won’t argue with that!" Honda has confirmed that the Civic Type-R will be built alongside the Civic five-door range at Honda’s UK plant in Swindon, which makes a business case for Australia tough, given exchange rates.