European Civic Type R to be sold in homeland, Japan [+Video]



Honda Motor Company’s new CEO, Takahiro Hachigo in his inaugural speech earlier today announced that the new Civic Type R, built in Britian, will be destined for Japanese customers as early as September this year.

This news follows the brand’s recent £200 million (nearly RM1.2 billion at press time) investment of its UK-based plant (HUM or Honda UK Manufacturing), making it the global production hub for the next generation Civic five-door model. The first Civic Type R just rolled of the production line last week, signalling at the beginning of its mass production.

Civic-Type-R-Line-Off-Event

 

 

HUM’s Managing Director, Soichiro Takizawa said, “The new Civic Type R is a significant model for Honda, representing our racing spirit and demonstrating our commitment to innovation and passion. Here at HUM, we are extremely proud to be the only manufacturer of the Civic Type R in the world. Our high standards have earned us this privilege and this is testament to the continued commitment of our associates.”

The Civic Type R is a beastly hatch with a brand new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine, one that makes 306 hp and 400 Nm of torque. It’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels – a recipe that shreds the Green Hell in 7:50.63 seconds. Just how fast is that around the ring, you ask? Well, that’s over a second quicker than the 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4!