Honda Civic Type R heading to South Africa
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Honda, world’s largest producer
of engines and quality Acura parts such as Acura brake pads
will be presenting an exciting product in
The three-door hatchback with
its high-revving 2.0 liter iVTEC engine will officially go on sale in June. A
selected group of journalists, celebrities, as well as aspiring owners are to
have the privilege of taking a sneak preview of Honda’s most celebrated
hatch.
The exclusive event at
Johannesburg that will beheld at Hazeldene Hall was part of Honda’s SA’s
pre-launch marketing strategy which will also include a drivetime radio-based
competition with the objective of increasing consumer awareness for the Civic
Type R and at the same time encourages more visitors to the micro site created
for the Type R.
The Civic Type R boasts
features that are simply hard to ignore while successfully delivering what
Honda calls as “a refined and stimulating driving experience”. Honda’s chief
engineer said that the Type R project if cut in half will reveal Honda’s blood.
This remark is also the inspiration for the uniquely made, hand-delivered
invitations which are in the form of blood plasma bags and with posing
question---“What Type R you?”
At the event guests were
greeted by fire and funk dancers with the Red Bull and Absolut Vodka serves as
the welcoming drinks round up by flashing red LED ice cubes. Using their
Honda-supplied ID tags, guests are ushered to explore the red and black Civic
Type Rs on display from every possible angle. And just in case the sight of the
fiery-hot Type R became too hot for guests to handle, there are models that are
dressed in sexy nurse’s uniforms that are very much willing to provide
assistance.
The entertainment will be
provided by the guitar wizard Albert Frost and Springbok Nude Girls’ Arno
Carstens supported by Tamara Day and
Here are the major features of
the Honda Civic Type-R (source: worldcarfans.com)
Exterior Design
The exterior employs a pure sports one-motion form
design with aerodynamically advanced surface treatment and sharp edges. Newly
developed aerodynamic devices include a large air intake in the front bumper
and grille, a rear bumper with built-in rear diffuser, a high-mount rear
spoiler, and extended side sill garnishes, giving the car an aggressive overall
appearance.
Specifically designed engine hood and front
fenders.
Specially designed shiny black chromed front grille
bar, headlight sub-reflector and Civic emblem design.
Type R red Honda emblem front and rear.
Interior Design
The overall black color scheme gives the interior
cockpit a racing car-like appearance, bringing the driver closer at one with
the car.
The front bucket seats are specially designed for
Type R. Separate center/side construction with high side bolsters and optimized
cushion rates help hold the body in place, helping the driver concentrates on
driving.
The multiplex i-VTEC engine revolution indicator
alerts the driver that engine speed is approaching maximum allowed revolutions.
Self-illuminated, lit with red-colored flashing lights and is strategically
located for minimum eye movement in circuit and other high speed driving
conditions.
Other performance-oriented features include a
small-diameter, genuine leather oval steering wheel, an aluminum ball-type
shift knob, a short stroke sports shift linkage, metal sports-type pedals and
footrest, and a separate, button-type engine starter.
Engine
A higher compression ratio and improved breathing
efficiency help the naturally-aspirated K20A 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine output a maximum
of 165kW (225PS) at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 215Nm (21.9kgm) at 6,100
rpm.
NSX production methods contribute to smoother port
surfacing, improving intake/exhaust airflow.
Drive-By-Wire (DBW) provides for finer tuning of
throttle response and power output.
Optimum tuning of intake and exhaust manifolds
provides for high output at high engine speed while also improving torque
characteristics over a broad engine speed range.
Transmission
A close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission is
matched to the Type R engine.
Optimized gear ratios offer superior accelerations
at high speeds, providing exhilarating performance.
New features include a highly rigid aluminum
transmission case while the addition of a baffle plate helps mitigate oil
starvation at high cornering speeds.
A short stroke shift linkage contributes to a
sporty shifting feel.
Highly Rigid yet Lightweight
Body/Chassis
The highly rigid Civic body and its advanced layout
serves as the basis for an even more highly rigid, yet lightweight Type R body.
Measures to enhance body rigidity while reducing weight have translated into a
body that is 50% more rigid than in the Integra Type R production model sold
between 2001 and 2006.
Specially tuned suspension, high performance
18-inch tires, a torque-sensitive helical limited slip differential, large disc
brakes for improved fade resistance and other performance-enhancing features
contribute to higher cornering performance and stability for an exciting,
racecar-like driving experience.
The specially tuned suspension boasts revised
spring and damping rates, and thicker stabilizer bars for improved vehicle
stability.
225/40R18-sized high-performance Bridgestone
Potenza RE070 tires.
17-inch disk brake with Brembo 4-pot aluminum front
calipers.
Specially-tuned ABS/EBD system.
Special lightweight 18-inch aluminum wheels are
matched to black wheel nuts.
Safety Performance
Honda’s original G-CON (G-force Control) technology
is incorporated to create a body with a crash safety performance that is among
the best in the world, withstanding a 55km/h full-frontal collision; a 64km/h
front offset collision, a 55km/h side collision, and a 50km/h rear collision.
The vehicle’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering
body provides a high level of self-protection and also improves compatibility
toward other vehicles.
The vehicle is also designed to help mitigate
pedestrian injury in the event of a collision thanks to the use of
impact-absorbing structures.
The front seats are equipped with 3-point,
load-limiting ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seatbelts with E-pretensioners.
Front-seat occupants are further protected by
standard driver/front passenger i-SRS air bags.
ISO FIX compatible child seat anchoring bars and
tether belt anchor plates are standard on the rear seats.
Environmental Performance
The Civic Type R complies with the Japanese
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport emissions regulations for 2005.
PVC and Cr6+ use have been eliminated from interior
and exterior components and wherever possible throughout the vehicle to achieve
over 90% recyclability.
About the Author
Evander
Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from
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