New NSX and “Hot” 2012 Civic Type R

[2003 Honda HSC Concept pictured above]

Last April, we told you about Honda CEO Takanobu Ito's plans for a successor to the much-missed NSX supercar. Ito had then hinted that the “new NSX” would be more environmentally friendly, possibly using a hybrid powertrain like the Japanese firm's new small coupe, the CR-Z.

On the sidelines of this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Ito-San reaffirmed the company's commitment to build an NSX successor.

“I spent part of my early career at Honda developing the NSX, and specifically the aluminium body," Ito told reporters from UK's Autocar. "I really enjoyed the experience and learned much, so my wish is that Honda engineers have the experience of developing a sportscar like the NSX in the future. Within Honda, our engineers are already looking at developing such a car,” he added.

Ito was not willing to give away any information other than that the new model would be quite different compared to the old NSX.

“The original NSX was about high power but also about good driving experience. Today power-to-weight is what we have to focus on. The NSX was known for its aluminium body, so when we develop our new sportcar we don’t want to copy Ferrari for power, but to also chase efficiency as well," Ito said.

This is the second coming of the NSX successor: in 2003, Honda displayed the HSC concept pictured here at the Tokyo Motor Show, hinting at a production model. Indeed the company was scheduling a 2010 launch, but the plan was cancelled by then-Honda CEO Takeo Fukui in the middle of the economic crisis.

The high-tech supercar isn’t the only performance model that Honda is developing at the moment. The 2012 Civic's chief engineer, Mitsuru Kariya said that a hot version is also under development.

It seems like Honda’s management changed its mind because it initially denied planning such a version as it didn’t fit in its new, “green” image.

“The performance version is already under discussion”, said Kariya. “We know the Type R was a big success, and we are looking for a car developed in that direction. Whether it will be called Type R is not certain though.”

It’s OK, Mr. Kariya, as long as you stay true to the hardcore character of the original. After all, a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.

Story sources: Autocar

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2012 Civic in both four-door sedan Photos

A peek through the European patent office files revealed images of Honda’s freshly launched in North America, 2012 Civic in both four-door sedan and two-door coupe guise. Given that the European market will get its own, bespoke version of the Civic, chances are that Honda simply wanted to cover its back like most of the competition just in case another automaker (we are looking towards you China) got any crazy ideas.

However, it is possible that Honda will offer the four-door saloon model in certain European countries to compete against the Volkswagen Jetta. With the exception of one version of the Civic sedan seen in this set of images and which features slightly modified taillights with additional strips that extend towards the license plate holder, there are no other differences compared to the North American Civic.

The European version of Honda’s compact model will make its world premiere at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. It will be available in five-door and three-door body styles, while the Japanese automaker has also confirmed the development of a smaller displacement turbo diesel engine that will fit right under the current 2.2-liter i-DTEC unit.

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2011 Honda Civic Type R Euro Launched in Japan, Limited to 1,500 Units

Honda has introduced a new model year version of its British-built Civic Type R Euro in Japan. The 2011MY batch will be the last of this model series to make its way to Japan as production of the current generation three-door Civic Type R has been terminated in Europe because its 2.0-litre VTEC engine does not meet the Euro V emissions regulations.

The Japanese automaker had imported 1,850 examples of the Civic Type R Euro from Britain in late 2009. This time, Honda will bring a total of 1,500 units of the 2011MY version of its high-revving hot hatch. The only changes over the previous model year are the addition of a new Crystal Black Pearl color, some trim updates such as the different finish of the fuel cap and a new numbered plaque.

In Japan, prices for the 2011MY Civic Type R Euro start from 3,000,000 Yen [including consumption tax] or about US$37,200.

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Honda ramps up it's 2007 Civic line-up with the addition of the 197 Hp Civic Si Sedan

Our Honda-hungry friends seem to be having a blast today as a few hours after the "official" revelation of the 2007 CR-V, the Japanese automaker came out with yet another model, the new-for-2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan.

This is the first time that American Civic Sedan range get's a Si performance version. The Civic Si Coupe’s 4door counterpart gets the same 2.0 i-VTEC engine that produces 197 Hp at 7.800 rpm. Unfortunately for the Europeans, there's no word -yet, about an Euro spec edition. However, Honda will more that satisfy its Eurpean customers in a few days with the apocalypse of the sporty 3door 2007 Civic Type-R.

PRESS RELEASE: The new-for-2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan embraces the style and performance of the Civic Si Coupe and marks the first time that "Si" performance has become available in th Civic Sedan. Similar to the existing, the Civic Si Sedan serves as another performance halo for the Civic line-up with a 197-horsepower, 16-valve, DOHC 2.0 liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with an 8,000 rpm redline - all mated to a close-ratio, 6-speed manual transmission and a helical-type, limited slip differential. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control is standard (and also added to the Civic Si Coupe as standard equipment for 2007).

Exterior: Its exclusive exterior includes a low-profile rear spoiler wing, aero cladding and front and rear Si emblems. Similar to the Civic Si Coupe, the Civic Si Sedan has a sporty interior with deeply bolstered seats, red fabric stitching, red backlit gauges, and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob.

Driving Dynamics: The Civic Si Sedan rides on dark silver 17-inch cast aluminum alloy wheels (new color for 2007, and also applied to the Civic Si Coupe) 215/45R17 high-performance tires (summer tire available), and stops with 11.8-inch ventilated front disc brakes and 10.2-inch solid rear disc brakes. Suspension tuning is similar to Civic Si Coupe with the same spring rates and rear stabilizer bar diameter, with slightly different damper tuning and front stabilizer bar diameter that best match the sedan’s longer 106.3-inch wheelbase (+2.0 inches compared to the coupe).

Standard safety equipment includes VSA and ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The VSA system provides launch, oversteer and acceleration-understeer control by modulating engine power and/or applying brake pressure independently to each wheel. VSA can be manually deactivated.

Powertrain: The Civic Si Sedan's 2.0-liter, 16-valve, DOHC engine produces 197-horsepower at 7.800 rpm and 139 lb-ft. of torque at 6100 rpm. The Civic Si Sedan has unique intake and exhaust tuning that emphasizes the torque of the K20Z3 engine at low RPMs.

Interior: The fully-featured Civic Si Sedan interior has a two-tier instrument panel that conveys futuristic design and quick reference meter positioning, including a rev-limit indicator light and outside temperature gauge. A leather wrapped tilt and telescope steering wheel is standard, along with deeply bolstered sport seats and the black and red Si interior color scheme. The 7-speaker 350-watt premium audio system with subwoofer features Speed-Sensitive Volume Control (SVC), MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio input jack and XM Satellite Radio (by subscription) for navigation-equipped models. Additional features include a 60/40 split folding rear seat, one-touch power moonroof, ambient console lighting, keyless entry with security system, power windows, power locks, a dual trip meter odometer and a Maintenance Minderindicator. The Voice-Activated Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation Systemis available.

Safety: In keeping with Honda's 'Safety for Everyone' initiative, safety systems include Honda's exclusive Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure for enhanced frontal crash compatibility. The ACE Body Structure enhances frontal collision energy management through a network of load bearing structures in the front of the vehicle. In addition, the Civic provides a long list of standard safety equipment including side curtain airbags, front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active front head restraints, 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with EBD and VSA with Traction Control. Honda's commitment to safety extends to pedestrians as well as vehicle occupants. To help reduce pedestrian injuries in the event of a collision, the Civic's hood and fender areas are designed to deform if contacted by the head of an adult or child pedestrian.