Type R for retired
Honda kills off yet another sports model.
With the arrival of a new generation Civic hatch in Europe, the Type R pocket-rocket has ceased production at Swindon in the UK and the last few examples destined for our shores are now on-sale.
The Civic Type R has been killed off just like the Integra Type R and S, Prelude VTi-R and rev-happy S2000 before it. And with them has gone a chunk of the company's reputation as Japan's most free-thinking and exuberant car maker.
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February 29, 2012
If you fancy the last fun, fast car in Honda's Australian range then act now.
With the arrival of a new generation Civic hatch in Europe, the Type R pocket-rocket has ceased production at Swindon in the UK and the last few examples destined for our shores are now on-sale.
The Civic Type R has been killed off just like the Integra Type R and S, Prelude VTi-R and rev-happy S2000 before it. And with them has gone a chunk of the company's reputation as Japan's most free-thinking and exuberant car maker.
Honda Australia director Stephen Collins defended Honda's image despite its consistent cull of its most exciting cars.
"Our research shows that Honda image is very, very strong. Clearly we would like to have more sports cars in our range, but our research shows our image is still right up there, as is our reputation for quality."
Collins made it clear instead, that Honda Australia's priority was "core" volume models such as the Civic and new generation CR-V. The company has set itself the target of reversing a four-year sales plummet, aiming to double sales to 60,000 over the next three years.
The petrol-electric hybrid CR-Z will now carry Honda Australia's sporting mantle, while the company waits at least three years for the reborn NSX supercar to arrive on these shores.
"Our focus in terms of sportiness is on CR-Z and NSX would be pretty much on top of our wish list," said Collins.
"We have a handfull left and that will be it for Civic Type R," Collins added. "Basically our plan is the hatch from Europe in both petrol and diesel, but there won't be a Type R or sports version of Civic in sedan or hatch."
Nor are there plans to import hyped up versions of the CR-Z, such as those developed by tuner Mugen, leaving the enjoyable but hardly feisty 91kW/167Nm two-seat coupe as the sports flagship.
Collins also confirmed Honda Australia was not interested in the EV Ster roadster revealed at the Tokyo motor show late last
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/type-r-for-retired-20120229-1u1qf.htmlI da e tocno, ipak duzam pivo...
No turbo, no beer for me;D
