The S2000, being Honda's newer sportscar, showed that even a DC2 Type R couldn't hold a candle to it. But the Spoon Civic-based on a family sedan-really shocked everyone when it passed the S2K on the final lap; this after 4 laps of pressuring the S2K from behind. The Spoon Civic was constantly clocking 1:12 laps as it took the lead and bested Honda's race-inspired roadster.
The battle was compelling evidence. It would appear the new Civic has the roots to become a real Type R. Equally evident is that Spoon knows its craft and can make a speedster out of even a modest Civic. (Now you know who to go to if you want yours to beat on S2000's at the track.)
Rumor has it that Honda will announce a JDM CTR in early 2007. Hopefully all this whining, and Ichishima's own initiative in coming up with an interpretation of the Type R, will convince the right folks that this land is in need of a Type R. Only then can this wrong-the absence of a Type R in the birthplace of the marque-be righted (and it has been - yay Honda! - Sen. Ed.)
Type R Refresher
The first Honda to ever come out with a Type R designation was the 1992 NSX. Significant among its qualities was a drop in curb weight of over 60 pounds from the non-R version, which made for a fairly killer power-to-weight ratio. After '92, no additional R's were produced until the model was sold again in 2001. Then in 2005, an NSX-R GT limited model was released (as a Super GT homologation model only) that sold for approximately $500,000. Just 5 of those were produced.
The next model line to get a Type R was the Integra. In 1995, Honda offered the DC2-generation chassis with its now-famous B18C-R engine, a powerplant that was factory tuned to make 200 horses at the crank, 20 more than what run-of-the-mill JDM Integra B18's were making at the time. The renowned hand-buffed ports and valve seats started with this iteration, which Honda engineers famously illustrated in Best Motoring International's Vol.1 "Type R Legends" DVD.
Honda followed up the '95 ITR with the EK9 chassis Civic in 1997, a hatchback that, in R trim, came equipped with the coveted B16B engine. The 1.6L B boasted 116hp per liter, and no other OE-tuned naturally aspirated engine has yet to reach this mark, even today. Then in '98, the ITR got a bump in running gear, rolling on 16-inch rims, and larger rotors for better braking. The B18C engine hadn't changed internally, but the exhaust manifold configuration was tweaked from 4-2-1 to 4-to-1 to increase torque.
In 2001, the Integra and Civic both went through full model changes. The DC5 Integra (more commonly recognized as an RSX in the U.S.) was given 60hp more than non-R versions, 17-inch rims, and a close ratio 6-speed transmission to clearly differentiate the vehicle from other grades. Even though it didn't look like other Civics of the era, the EP3 CTR was still a "Civic," but the wheelbase was changed from the EM/ES chassis and the vehicle was produced in England, breaking the longstanding tradition of R's only coming from Japan.