Tenth-Generation Honda Civic range

Speedo boys of Japan, rejoice. The Honda Civic is back after seven years of being absent in the Japanese market and this time, it's now available in three different styles to choose from; the sedan, the fully-imported hatchback from Europe, and the ultimate Civic experience for speedo boys everywhere known as the Type R.

2018 Honda Civic

2018 Honda Civic Hatchback

2018 Honda Civic Type R

At long last, all three Civics are now available to the Japanese market and while these three models are different in every single way, they both share the same goal to win back the Japanese public after their seven-year absence to their home market. As you may recall, the Honda Civic has stopped on the eighth generation model in 2010 and when the rest of the world got the controversial ninth-generation model, Japan didn't get one until 2015 where the FK2 Civic Type R became the only ninth-generation model sold in Japan within limited numbers. Now that the Civic is back for real, this tenth-generation model is ready to show Japan what this Civic is capable of, having been called by the rest of the world as "the best Civic ever."

First, let's analyze the design and for this tenth-generation model, the sedan looks very coupe-like in every tangible angle of perception while the hatchback model doesn't look like the boxy Civic hatchbacks of yesteryear and it's now more of a fastback per se. The new FK8 Civic Type R, which is now the first globally-available Civic Type R ever sold, uses the hatchback as its basis and makes it even loud enough for speedo boys to go "Fast and Furious" with it, just like the good old days. Either way, it's now the best-looking Civic ever made and you can forgive all its chinks around its well-sculpted lines.

2018 Honda Civic interior

2018 Honda Civic Hatchback interior

2018 Honda Civic Type R interior

Step inside on the interior and on a normal Civic saloon and hatchback, it doesn't feel like your Daddy's Civic anymore. In fact, it's so nice to live with and you can forget about the moment when you bought your Dad the wrong Civic for a birthday present. In fact, it's a definite improvement compared to the previous, not-for-Japan Civic my family currently having. The dashboard looks more similar to the old FK2 Civic Type R but way below, it kinda resembles like the old Porsche Panamera, minus the complicating stuff. It's even roomier in the back as well and in the case of the hatchback models, especially the Type R, there's a plenty of space for some old gym equipment your brother-in-law is selling online. Talk about family matters, am I right?

2018 Honda Civic

2018 Honda Civic Hatchback

2018 Honda Civic Type R

Speaking of family matters, all three Civic behave rather differently not just by their origin but also the way it moves. In the case of the normal variants, the Civic is powered by a 1.5L VTEC TURBO engine but power outputs differ in two body styles. The Japanese-built FC-spec Civic Sedan produces 173PS of power while the Civic Hatchback, fully imported from Europe, produces 182PS of power output. The sedan is mated exclusively with the CVT gearbox while the hatchback is mated with either a six-speed manual or a CVT gearbox. What's the difference? Well, the Japan-made sedan is made mostly to be comfortable family car your dad's using it for work or for leisure trips and nothing else to expect from being a normal saloon car that returns 19.4km/L of fuel efficiency while the Euro-imported hatchback model is the more dynamic alternative to your dad's saloon variant. Sure, it may have 18.0km/L of fuel efficiency but because it's fresh from the only country set to leave the European Union, the way it moves is somewhat reminiscent of European hatchbacks and it's so engaging to drive than the saloon variant because of its Euro-tuned dynamics. In conclusion, the sedan is made for efficiency while the hatchback is made for dynamism. Nothing else to talk about, especially when both of them come with Honda SENSING, a wide array of safety tech that will be beneficial in today's traffic conditions.

Now, onto the FK8 Civic Type R, the hatchback that dominated the Nurburgring, and because this is the first-ever Civic Type R to be sold globally, including the US (yes, really) and in the Philippines (in limited numbers), this car is too cool to be ignored by most racing games that were poisoned against car enthusiasts by baby boomers. I'm talking about you, Gran Turismo, Forza, and any racing video game I know and love that comes with real-life cars to play with. Unless these producers think like millennials, there's no way they would feature the new FK8 Civic Type R in racing games of today. In fact, apart from the impressive Nurburgring record, what those folks behind great racing games who are stuck being baby boomers who sourced cars from the baby boomer era from used car lots will miss is the newly improved chassis dynamics that were fine tuned to become the ultimate front-wheel drive track weapon as well as the upgraded 2.0L VTEC TURBO engine that produces 10PS more than the previous FK2, delivering 320PS of power and 400Nm of torque, while mated exclusively to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

When you engage the Civic Type R to +R mode, handling becomes more responsive and direct and in a racetrack, the new Civic Type R's ballistic dynamics is what every speedo boys in the world salivating for and what every people behind racing games acting like baby boomers are going to miss at when they ignore it for an old one and between you and me, that new Civic Type R is too ballistic to ignore and this should make the ideal warning shot to people behind Forza, Gran Turismo, or any racing video games we are familiar with to feature it or else. Come on, we're waiting for your response.

It's been an honor for Honda to bring the Civic back after its seven-year drought in the home market and with different kinds of Civics to choose from; from the efficient Japan-made saloon, the lively Euro-made hatchback, and the ultimate Type R ever made for the world over, every Civic is a gift to treasure it for lifetime, almost, and what would Honda be without the Civic.

Oh yeah, if you're asking for how much these Civics cost, listen up; the sedan starts at 2,650,320 Japanese Yen (around $27,000), while the fully-imported hatchback starts at 2,800,440 Japanese Yen (around $28,500), and the Type R starts at an utterly expensive 4,500,360 Japanese Yen (around $45,400). All of these Civics are available to order and it will be on sale at most Honda dealerships beginning late September.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Forza Horizon 3 - Type ARRGH

As the world brace themselves for the next Civic Type R, let's take a little gander on the FK2 Civic Type R, which is now part of Forza Horizon 3's Playseat Car Pack, and see what to learn so much from the hot hatch inspired by the Euro-spec ninth-generation Civic Type R. I know, it's a little late on schedule to feature this hot Civic here in this game but better late than never, am I right?



Ah, the speedo boy's best friend on the road. The Civic Type R. The FK2 Civic Type R is the first ever Honda sportscar to use a turbocharged VTEC engine, which brings "VTEC just kicked in, yo!" to a whole new meaning. The first-ever K20C 2.0L VTEC Turbo engine produces a massive 310PS of power output and 400Nm of torque, while mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Performance aside, Honda draws inspiration from its touring car championship success to create the Civic Type R and by utilizing all of its track-honed characteristics, it's no wonder that its lapped the Nurburgring in 07:51.42, the fastest lap time for front-wheel drive cars until it was smashed by a hotter VW GTi.

You don't need to ask but the FK2 Civic Type R is the only ninth-generation Civic sold in the Japanese market when it was launched in late 2015 and limited to 750 units, each costing 4,280,000 Japanese Yen, which isn't too pricey for a hot hatch imported from Great Britain.



Although its too little, too late to show up on the after hours, I am very pleased to try out the FK2 Civic Type R as long as I like before the arrival of the next model based on the tenth-generation Civic Hatchback. In fact, the next model will have so much to learn from the previous FK2 that I'm driving right now in the Land Down Under. Sampling the FK2 Type R's VTEC Turbo sounds more like it came from the current WRX STi and you can really feel just how potent this turbocharged engine is at any speed at any place.

While the FK2 Civic Type R is proven to be a potent track weapon, I find that its handling is very much mild and menacing. Go too fast and you're in for some catastrophic understeer as this car is too grippy on the corners. No matter how hard you turn the steering wheel on, it just grips and grips and grips and while this is very easy to drive for beginners, it doesn't feel as enjoyable as its chief rival, the Ford Focus RS.

I've tried different kinds of hot hatchbacks in this game for a long time and let me tell you, I've never been in a hot hatch which is very unique and very challenging in every plausible way and looks like the next Type R will be a struggle to shook off the problems the previous FK2 Civic Type R had. Perhaps they should rework on the handling to make it more enjoyable for a front-wheel drive hot hatchback but I think that's enough for that chit chat because now that I've seen everything about the FK2 Civic Type R, time to call in the makeup department to do something special for the outgoing model.







I've been planning to do this up to the moment this Type R arrived and here it is, all dressed in its Ruby Kurosawa-inspired look. Looks like I'm going to give the FK2 Civic Type R a proper sendoff by calling the best of Honda Type R models ever assembled and looks like this is the part where I'll get my trusty filming equipment ready to roll.



And now, the party is on!



This has got to be the best sendoff party ever done for the FK2 Civic Type R and while it got confused upon getting to know its opponents even when they don the red H badge on their faces, the FK2 Civic Type R showed its confidence to kick its VTEC Turbo engine to the top of the pops and shines its way towards victory!





The Civic Type R has been a speedo boys' favorite since the EK9 but for the FK2 model, it doesn't get the same aesthetics as the original. In fact, it slowly loses it charm now that it's becoming more European rather than being a Japanese sportscar that has won the hearts of many speedo boys from around the globe but all hope is not lost as Honda is back at the drawing board to perfect the next Type R the world awaits and when it does, it's going to be worth the one we promised.

The Honda Civic returns in Japan this summer

In a surprise twist at the recent 2017 Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda announced that the tenth-generation Honda Civic will be available in Japan this summer, marking its return in its home market after its seven-year absence.

We knew this is coming since Honda didn't got the previous model, although the current FK2 Civic Type R was the only ninth-generation Civic sold in Japan since 2015.

The Civic will be offered in sedan, hatchback, and the upcoming high-performance Type R model. The sedan will be made in Japan while the hatchback and Type R will be made in England. The sedan and the hatchback will be powered by a 1.5L VTEC TURBO petrol engine.

The tenth-generation Civic was launched in the USA since late 2015 and then the rest of the world a year later. Japan may have been late to the party but it's great to have the Civic back to where it truly belonged.

URL: http://www.honda.co.jp/news/2017/4170113.html

Honda Civic Type R FK2

After five years of absence in the Japanese market, speedo boys car finally rest easily because the Civic has returned in Japan but specifically, the ultimate version of the Civic sourced from Great Britain, the all-new Civic Type R. Speedo boys, rejoice.

2016 Honda Civic Type R

It is weird that this ultimate version is the only ninth-generation Civic available on the Japanese market but no matter what, this Britain-sourced hot hatch marks the return of speedo boy-favorite Type R nomenclature that has been known for their white color, red H badge, unique aerodynamics, and a VTEC engine proud to say "VTEC just kicked in, yo!"

Speaking of "VTEC just kicked in", yes, this VTEC really kick in because for the first time in Type R history, the all-new Civic Type R is powered by the first-ever K20C 2.0L VTEC Turbo engine. This turbocharged VTEC engine produces a massive 310PS of power output and 400Nm of torque, while mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox. 

That sounds good news to speedo boys too many but it's not just all about big power in a Honda hot hatchback because deep down, the new Civic Type R incorporates some of Honda's racing knowhow learned from its touring car championship experience. From its race-inspired suspension system, Active Damper System, Dual Pinion Assist EPS, and the most advanced aerodynamics developed for this car, it's no wonder the new Civic Type R lapped the Nurburgring in 07:51.42, the fastest lap time for front-wheel drive cars.

2016 Honda Civic Type R

Which means, with that kind of witchcraft involved in this hot hatch, the new Civic Type R is a potent track weapon in its own rights and even though this is suitable for track use, it's also suitable to use on the road and because this is a five-door, it's surprisingly convenient to bring your friends on a joyride. But don't count on being a weekend car just yet because while this suspension is track-honed, you may find it to be very stressful on city streets and you might expect some slight bumpiness when you approach the potholes.

But it doesn't really matter how uncomfortable this car is on city streets because once you pull out at a parking space at a shopping mall or a bar or a cafe, it's a head turner so when people looked on the new Type R, everyone know that you're onto something. Hey, at least most Hondas have a reputation of being every speedo boy's best friend and for the new Civic Type R, this hot hatch is more than enough to start causing trouble on the streets.

2016 Honda Civic Type R interior

2016 Honda Civic Type R speedometer

Should you buy one? The new Civic Type R starts at 4,280,000 Japanese Yen so it maybe sound that much for a Euro-import hot hatch but no matter though because despite the high price, it's money well spent on the new Type R but best to have one while you can because the new Civic Type R is limited to 750 units and once they're gone, they're gone. Good luck with that.

Available colors: Championship White and Crystal Black Pearl

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

GT6: Cars that are Gran Turismo exclusive - FD2 Civic Type R

Today, we take a look at this FD2 Civic Type R. Launched in 2007, this is the first time the Civic Type R spawned a saloon after the previous three generations based on hatchback equivalents and this is based on the Asia-spec eighth generation Honda Civic. Sadly, this is the last Type R to be made in Japan because since 2010, Honda stopped sales of the Honda Civic and the ninth-generation model, sold globally, is not available in Japan as of now and never will be.

The FD2 Civic Type R will run through the Goodwood Hillclimb but at what time will it post?




It posted a 1:00.839 lap time!

It maybe the last Type R Honda that is MADE IN JAPAN but it makes good use of its athletic proportions as well as the iconic i-VTEC engine that powers it! It handles pretty well as what any high performance cars can do.

FD2 Honda Civic Type R - A GRAN TURISMO EXCLUSIVE CAR.

Forza 4: The Ballad of Civic Type R

The Ballad of Type R

Oh look, guess who's booked for a visit at the Top Gear Test Track on Forza Motorsport 4? Oh yes! It's those Civic Type R hatches that I'm surely missed. There was the first of its kind, the EK9 Civic Type R, famed for being the noise-making JDM hot hatch that loves to carve destruction to the residential zones...

...the EP3 Civic Type R that seems to be more of a gentleman's Type R but turns out to pack a deadly combination of agility, precision, and the burning desire to impress the crowd...



...and the FN2 Civic Type R, the last of the breed. When I said "last of the breed", I do mean it because this is the final Type R model to be offered in Japan.



I know, it's sad that with the FN2 sold out in Japan, this spelled the end of the Type R legend and if you heard the news about the next Civic Type R is due in 2015 and claimed to be the fastest at the Nurburgring, don't expect this future Type R to come in Japan because as we know, the Civic is dead in 2010. Why does the whole world gets the ninth-generation Civic while Japan missed out? Never mind about that but still, no future Type R for Japanese market, which really makes us sad because a true Type R has to be sold in Japan, accessible to every "speedo boy" on the planet. He he he, speedo boy...Why did I used that word?

Oh yeah, I did made the word "speedo boy" to a whole new meaning. Speedo boy is...some idiot obsessed at the car's speedo and obsessed about knowing the car's 0-100kmh time and its top speed but because it's a Japanese car, that doesn't work, SPEEDO BOY! A Speedo Boy is...often taking a video of a speedo revving while driving at the road but that's too distracting, right? Guess I should make a lyric about speedo boys, he he he....

But anyway, the Civic Type R, these are surely be missed and if there's a Civic Type R that is not offered in Japanese, guess I should turn away from then until Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has the chance....

Forza Horizon: Honda Challenge Car Pack

Today, I finally got my hands on this special DLC Pack on Forza Horizon and this one's free of charge and it's from our friends at Honda.

The pest of the east...

The other pest of the east...

The other other pest of the east...

This free DLC Pack comes with the 1986 Honda Civic Si, which is very good on the handling department, then the 2012 HPD Rally Fit, which is a B-Spec contender from the Rally America, and then the main attraction was the 2013 Honda Civic Si Coupe, which is the type of car registered players will be using to take on Honda race driver (and Indy 500 champ) Scott Dixon on a special Rivals event...Anyway, here's an excerpt from the official Forza Motorsport website about this special challenge on Horizon:

While racing against the Forza community is cool, pitting your skills against a real race car driver is even better. We’re happy to announce that Honda race driver (and Indy 500 champ) Scott Dixon will be setting a time in this event as well. Test your racing chops against an IndyCar Series champion by looking for Scott’s Xbox LIVE Gamertag (Dixon Honda2013)… you can even set him as your Rival for some intense racing action.

The top overall finisher in the Honda Challenge will win the chance to meet Scott Dixon in person as well as a custom Honda-branded 250GB Xbox 360 console. Finishers 2-4 will also win one custom Honda-branded 250GB Xbox 360. In addition, everyone who manages to beat Scott’s time on the leaderboard will win a free Forza Horizon custom theme pack.

Please note that the Honda Civic Challenge Rivals event is only open to Forza Horizon players who registered for the event on Xbox LIVE.

For official rules on this contest see http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/promotions/honda-forza-motorsports

Beginning on Feb. 15, we’ll be holding a special Honda-Civic themed photo contest around the 2013 Honda Civic Si Coupe. Look for more details soon!

Well, while I'm waiting for the lap time that Mr. Scott Dixon set on this special challenge...actually, I don't know his lap time until the right time comes...

In the meantime, here are some of my videos of the three Hondas enjoying their invitation in Horizon...

Forza 4: Triad enforcers

Triad enforcers

If your only antique was a PS2, you might remember a once cult classic video game called The Getaway and these cars, the Honda EJ7 Civic Coupe and the Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R, were the cars driven by Triads. Triads....hmmmm...yes they were gangsters from Asia just like Yakuzas in Japan but Triads were Chinese and they're based in Hong Kong and spreading through Chinese-speaking communities worldwide. Don't ask...

If you were once making a mess in London Chinatown and the Triads grabbed your attention, chances are that you'll be chased by those but what car is much more of a trouble when you're chased by the Triads? Let's figure that out with a power lap...

Let's begin with the Civic Coupe. What I have here is the EJ7 Civic Coupe, based on the sixth-generation Honda Civic that was produced from 1996 to 2000 and needless to say that the sixth-generation Civic range is a favorite among the most notorious boy racers everywhere. Civics are being notorious for being a JDM car that fits several modifications very nicely because they were cheap and they were easy to modify. They became the darling of the import tuner scene, street heroes, better looking than girls. Guess those crooks are spending their time smoking, drinking beer, getting high on energy drinks, shopping for some apparel at illest, anything that what makes a boy racer notorious and hunted by the law. Imagine someone driving this kind of Civic...he has a lot of money to spend by modifying his Civic Coupe into a law-breaking machine because that's what modified cars do best; TO BREAK THE LAW AND COMMIT A CRIME. He would say that I wanted to make my Civic Coupe so good, that it's scary on the roads by night. He got that memo and he made it meaner and hotter. 

Anyway, enough story telling and onto the car. In Japan, the EJ7 Civic Coupe was launched in 1996 and just like its previous incarnation, the Civic Coupe was an import from the USA. The JDM-spec EJ7 Civic Coupe though, listen to this, has a 1.6L 4-cylinder SOHC engine, codenamed as D16A, which develops a measly 120PS of power and 14.7kg-m of torque, while mated to a CVT which comes with three driving ranges such as D for normal driving, S  for spirited driving with higher engine speeds and L to provide maximum engine braking and peak power. Fuel economy is 17km/l and the only color available on the JDM-spec Civic Coupe EJ7 was Granada Black Pearl. Meanwhile in the USA, the Civic Coupe had offered a variety of grades, colors, and transmission types, especially a 5-speed manual.

I am driving the one with the 5-speed manual gearbox, which sounds proper and sporty unlike the JDM-spec EJ7 because of its continuously variable nonsense that seems inappropriate for a sports car from Honda until they got it right with the first ever Civic Type R hatch. What's more fun about it that this is the kind of car mostly driven by the Triads. It's a proper Asian sports car for the Chinese Triad boys! I once saw one of these cars on The Getaway and would you look at these Triad gangsters chasing me around London in their tuned Civic Coupes. I mean this stresses me a lot but let's see if the Triad gang car is a match at the Top Gear Track...

Start the clock!

The EJ7 Civic Coupe crosses the line in 1:33.063.

And now it's time for the R33 Skyline GT-R...

The best thing about Skylines is that they were once the king of the import tuner scene but not only it has a big reputation of breaking the speed limits and the traffic laws by speeding, this was been a car often smuggled by either Americans, Malaysians, Thai, Indonesians, Filipinos, or any other country that don't offer this car at their Nissan dealerships. I was talking to this R33 GT-R though because this is somewhat a quick car, it was once broke the eight-minute barrier at the fearsome Nurburgring, giving the slogan "Minus 21 second roman" on the Japanese TV ad that featured the song Speed King by Deep Purple. It's so quick, the Triads can easily ambush you in a chase and I believed that this is the better Triad enforcer car than the Civic Coupe EJ7 not only because it has a straight-six engine that no Japanese car has anymore these days and not only it has 4WD but this is a great car to make the most troubles out of it. Let's see if this Triad enforcer has more meat cleavers than the Civic.

Start the clock!



...and the R33 crossed the line in a blistering 1: 27.534, making this a quick winner in this shootout so in terms of the scene where you were chased by Triads, the R33 Skyline GT-R is the car you'll be worrying about because this is fast enough to catch you up and ambushed by the Triads. This R33 Skyline GT-R makes it a perfect Triad enforcer for the Triads who are busy in their criminal activities.

Remembering the Civic Type R...

So, the Civic Type R, one of the most respectable and the most memorable high-performance version of the tuner's favorite car, the Honda Civic. It was one of the best Hondas ever made to capture the mass audience of noise-making boys in their baseball caps, tattoos, piercings, jerseys, and low rider jeans. Punks to you. Anyway, how about tackling down on memory lane of the three Civic Type R's that revolutionized the world as the punk-friendly sports car only punks want to make noise on the neighborhood.

The EK9 tries to redeem itself on the road...

...and on the track

The EK9, the Civic Type R that started it all, became a phenomenon when it came out in Japan since 1997. Even though generations changed, rest assured that the EK9 is still the grandfather of the Civic Type R story. It was based on the 6th generation EK Civic and it draws inspiration from its big brother, the legendary Integra Type R. It has a B16B VTEC engine that produces 185HP of power and the chassis was made of monocoque for enhanced rigidity. On the inside, you might expect red Recaro sports seats, titanium shift knob, Momo steering wheel, and other Type R essentials that joyriders loved. The EK9 Type R is still, by far most, the best Type R ever built because those young punks in their baseball hats and their breath smells like cigarettes. If Yosi Kadiri was a driver, this is what he's driving...

Whoa! British Type R gone crazy at Suzuka!

The EP3 Civic Type R is a different kind of Civic Type R. It was first introduced in the United Kingdom since 2001, where it was manufactured in Swindon, England. Swindon...That's where former Doctor Who actress Billie Piper lived... (heh) Anyway, even though the EP3 Type R was made and sold in Britain, Japan imported this and retained some of the EK9 essentials such as the Limited Slip Differential and the red Recaro seats. It now uses the K20A 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC engine that produces 212HP of power and it comes with different intake manifold, exhaust manifold, higher-lift camshafts, higher-compression pistons, chrome-moly flywheel and ECU programming.

The EP3 Type R gained much praise from the motoring journalists in Britain. It won HOT HATCH OF THE YEAR awards more the once from Top gear, Fifth Gear, and What Car?

In 2004, an updated version was released and it comes with revised power steering, improved suspension, halogen headlamps, lighter clutch, flywheel assembly, and so on. It was made to address the criticisms include understeer on the limit, numb steering, and lack of low end torque.

FD2 crosses through the Honda headquarters...

This is the last Civic Type R in its existence in Japan, the FD2 Civic Type R. This was launched in 2007 as a 4-door sedan only for the first time while the hatchback version, the FN2, was sold only in Europe but later launched in Japan since 2009 as the Civic Type R Euro. It still has the K20A engine that became sacred to Honda fans everywhere but this time, 222HP of power, more than the Type R Euro we tried from a rival video game. The suspension is heavily tweaked, handling is hydraulic, modest aerodynamics, superb chassis, and this FD2 Type R is much more agile than the European FN2. It will go 0-60mph in under 6 seconds and it will go on up to 160mph. Really? The speedo reads up to 180kph like what most Japanese cars have.

Most car enthusiasts like to find out the 0-100kph time of Japanese cars but the Japanese car culture don't care about 0-100kph time, power to weight, top speed and so on. They'll only focused more on CVTs, fuel economy, JC08, 10-15 Mode, safety features, blah blah blah blah blah. All Japanese cars have speedos that read up to 180kph and that's it. About the Civic Type R, this is becoming more of a punk favorite. Joyriders stole them, villains use them as getaway cars, and insurance charged them with premiums. The Civic Type R is more of a high speed safety hazard or rather an invitation to break the law. The Civic Type R is a car made for criminals and some say, this is a nuisance to the neighborhood because of the extremely loud noise coming out from the Civic's muffler, like what most Honda sports cars do all the time.

Whatever, at least the Civic Type R is dead now and as told, the 9th generation Civic is not available in Japan. Yep, the Honda Civic is dead. CIVIC IS DEAD.

Mr. A-Ciimo

Dongfeng Honda Ciimo

An utterly familiar looking car was seen at the AUTO CHINA 2012 in Beijing. This is known as Dongfeng-Honda Ciimo (nope, it's not Bubble Gang's Mr. Assimo) and this is more of a rebadged version of the 8th Generation Honda Civic, the last Civic before the Civic name is gone for good (in Japan) since the summer of 2010.

The Ciimo is powered by a 1.8L VTEC engine and it's available in either a five-speed manual or five-speed auto transmission. It costs 111,800 Yuan and that does seem a lot for an old Civic but the Ciimo name does not only apply on this because Dongfeng-Honda plans their own version of the CR-V soon...

Scoop: http://paultan.org/2012/04/30/dongfeng-honda-ciimo-an-8th-gen-civic-for-china/ 

Those Pommy Bas.....

2012 Honda Civic

Ahem. Obviously, they picked up their gauntlet, so welcome, everybody, to the ninth-generation, NOT FOR JAPAN, Honda Civic. This is the kind of Honda we can call on. The country's first ECON switch for enhanced fuel economy, the 1.8L i-VTEC that powered the old FD Civic that was died in 2010, the 5-speed automatic transmission, i-MiD display that allows you to use your pic as a wallpaper, cruise control, lots of it.

So, it's here, how much is this? This one costs 1,074,000 Philippine Pesos.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/launched-all-new-honda-civic

The Honda Civic that is not Japanese...

We're looking on the cars of Forza Motorsport 4 that they don't get from the home market. For example that the Hyundai ix20, which is the Korean MPV that is not sold in Korea, then there was the Ford Ka which is not American. However, there was a bit of a gap for FF coupes. I was getting bored at the likes of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, old Scion tC, and the 2006 Honda Civic Si Coupe.

That's why I got the January Jalopnik DLC Pack but I didn't come here to score something else because the Pagani Huayra was there as the star attraction. I come here to look at this.

It's the new Honda. The 2012 Civic.
To each of their own.

It's the new, ninth-generation Honda Civic, to each of their own. This ninth-generation Civic was in North America, Europe, China, and South Korea. However, it's not sold in ASEAN countries and in Japan. I repeat, it's not available in Japan. That's not really surprising because sales of the previous-generation Honda Civic in its home market, Japan, were very poor. That was rubbish, and I do mean rubbish. There was no reason for that car to be on sale in Japan at all.

This new model is much more intriguing. Look at the pointy face, scary! Those design cues from the previous generation Civic remain but retouched to make it more advanced. However, a report from Consumer Reports said that the ninth-generation Civic is too low to recommend it. Why? You know the rest...

In my opinion, the average Civic owner were just punks who love messing the streets by night. The Honda Civic was a cheap car and this car is easy to modify. No wonder this car is fit for the cruising scene and it was made for "flexing" and "winding".

Anyway, back at the ninth-generation, not-for-Japan, Civic. This model featured on Forza 4 is the 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe, the sportiest of the Civic range. This model is powered by a 2.4L K24Z7 i-VTEC DOHC l4 engine, that is capable of 201HP of power and 170lb-ft of torque. It can do 0-60m in 6.2 seconds and flatout in 149mph. That was so surprising but it doesn't earn a place over Japan yet.

It can do a lot more!

It could almost be a Mitsubishi Lancer in Toyota Corolla money because if the ninth-generation Civic was launched in Japan, it would only cost 1,900,000 Japanese Yen. Sadly, it's in here where everything really start to come unraveled. It is dreadful but that's not really a surprise, the Japanese just don't get sportiness. To them, sportiness is just a crime on Japanese roads and it can lead in serious troubles.

But two annoying parents and a jar of Vicks Vaporub and not enough to put me off. The ninth-generation Honda Civic tries hard to be cool. If there was going to be a major refresh in the year 2013, we do hope that the Civic will perform well, look well. Well, it's a start. The new Civic isn't just a good Japanese car, but it's a car for a stop. This time, this Honda deserves a ship's passage to the Yoko Yokohama Yokosuka.

I hope I can find the real one at the R33 Auto Exchange ...

WHAT? There will be no Japan-spec Ninth generation Civic?

North-America spec Honda Civic

Europe-spec Honda Civic

There was a ninth-generation Honda Civic in the USA, and there was a ninth-generation Honda Civic in Europe (to be on sale next year). Now, the question really comes in mind is, will there be a Japan-spec ninth-generation Civic?

Takanobu Ito, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd, says that "there is no possibility for a Japan-spec new Civic soon", which is bad news for Civic fans like us.

Remember that the Honda Civic was discontinued in Japan last Summer 2010 for unknown reasons. In fact, this is going to be such bad thing why Honda is letting countries like the US and Europe getting the ninth-generation Civic.

He said that Japan has many Civic fans but it's undecided to bring the new Civic to the Japanese market because of the March 11 disaster, strong Yen, or whatever the heck he'll explain...

"Japan has lots of Civic fans. We have no plans for a Japan-spec new Civic but there will..." Takanobu Ito said that when he was at the 2011 IAA at Frankfurt, Germany.

Is Japan has a possibility to bring the new Civic? Or would Honda likely reject it?

Scoop: http://carview.co.jp/news/0/153176/

Ang bagong car ni Carl...

Ang bagong car ni Carl

Can a car like yours will end up having a life on its own? Just ask Ejay Falcon! In last night's Wansapanataym episode titled "Ang bagong car ni Carl", he bought a used but tuned Honda EK Civic Ferio, and he's so focused about his daily life when suddenly, when his little brother, Julian, got tripped by the wire and the light connected to the wire dropped on the Civic Ferio's engine and caused minor havoc but still looks normal to Carl (played by Ejay Falcon) and later when the car talked instead of his little brother, that's when things looking ugly when his Civic Ferio talked.

What a creepy episode about a talking Civic Ferio... (-_-) 

Mugen Civic

2011 Honda Civic 2.0 S Mugen Limited Edition

While waiting for the "true" new Civic to arrive in Japan soon, Honda Cars Philippines offered a special Mugen Civic Limited Edition, which is limited to 26 units available on selected Honda dealers across the Philippines. The 2011 Civic 2.0 S Mugen Limited Edition features front and rear bumpers, side skirts, front sports grille, ventilated visor, rear spoiler, forged gunmetal aluminum alloy wheel, heptagon nut set, door under-garnish, and a Mugen emblem.

The 2011 Civic 2.0 S Mugen Limited Edition costs 1,398,000 Philippine Pesos and on sale this August 5 but Honda Cars Philippines are accepting pre-orders now.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/honda-cars-philippines-offers-civic-mugen-limited-edition

Super cool special edition Honda models (but offered in Malaysia only)

2011 Honda Concept M Series

Three of the best Honda vehicles in the ASEAN market; the Civic, the Accord (Inspire in Japan), and the Jazz (Fit in other markets) are all kitted out with some aero kits and dubbed as the Concept M.

Concept M stands for two of the famous modifiers from Honda such as Modulo and Mugen. These Malaysian-spec Civic, Accord Inspire, and Fit/Jazz special editions made us so envy, we, Filipinos, wish to have one of these hot Honda models because these three were kitted out with aero parts!

Scoop: http://paultan.org/2010/11/25/honda-malaysia-introduces-limited-edition-concept-m-models-accord-jazz-and-civic-get-all-dressed-up/

Last chance!

Ever since this Honda FN2 Civic Type R Euro (sourced from Great Britain) arrived in Japan in a limited quantity of 2010 units, most and most JDM enthusiasts are willing to take advantage of this British-Japanese hot hatch alternative to the Civic Type R Sedan.

With the discontinuation of the Honda FD2 Civic Type R Euro sedan in Japan since August 2010, sales in Europe discontinued due to Euro 5 standards, and the Type R Euro is out of stock in Japan, it seems most Honda fans want more for the Type R Euro. For that, this must be the last chance to witness the Type R Euro due to inconsistent public demand.

Starting October 28, 2010, Japanese Honda fans are ready to witness Type R Euro for the final time, in 2010-spec, under 1500 units available. Replacing the Alabaster Silver Metallic color is the new Crystal Black Pearl color, that is always ready to show the dark side of the Civic Type R Euro. Three colors are available for the Type R Euro; Milano Red, Crystal Black Pearl, and Championship White.

Previously, this one costs 2,980,000 Yen (about 2.5 million pesos), but the price for the Honda Civic Type R Euro 2010-spec hiked to about 3 million Yen (or 2,580,000 Pesos), giving it a hard time to obtain this British gremlin.

With the final 1500 units available, will they savor the last dance with the legendary "Type R" name that became a sensation among Honda fans?!