I think many people have forgotten that Honda plan to do a faster more extreme version - the Type RR - I hope that's not what they are referring to with the weight saving stuff...?

Got to say that I am not a huge fan of the new CTR, but at least it lighter than the car it replaces, which bucks the trend for hot hatches.

This bit made me chuckle:

Chavtastic

 

Marketting at it's best

Lets release a weight compromised Type R version now, then release a proper Type R later on

 

It's an industry trend, an image leader being gradually mainstreamed.

Remember the XR3; within a couple of years of launch, it lost the sports suspension, heated mirrors, sports seats, etc. They all went on the options list.

 

As i wrote on CTRO......

If the new Civic has a 0-60mph time of old EP3 i'll be VERY suprised. Anyway....... Honda have not been aggressive enough with the design, more power is badly needed. People buy these sort of cars because they are a bit quicker than there neighbours/work mates/mates Focus ST or Astra VXR etc........ Wanting it be the 'hotest' of the hot hatches. When the EP3 came out it was the fastest hot hatch, the new one will be another Golf GTI.

But look at the Golf GTI, it's a great car which was been well marketed. It does everything that it was expected too. So why have Honda badged their Civic with the 'Type R' badge. Read all the Honda jargon about what 'Type R' is ment to meen; lightweight, fast, driver aid free, racer etc......... If only this was the case with the new one, it's even got VSA!!

Seems like they are ruining the Type R brand by using it to sell more cars because people want a Honda with the Type R badge on it. In reality the car should be badged up as a Honda Civic VTI.

Very glad now that i didn't wait for the new CTR and pleased that i went for the S2K. I can see the EP3 CTR becoming a bit more a classic now.

 

And if we simply waited casting comments until we had a drive in it...I did drive the Civic diesel and was quite surprised.
Personally i find 200phb quite enough for a fwd. The important bit isn't how much power the engine produces but how well the car handles its power.

 

erm:

 

Most magazines have slagged off the VXR for bad handling and too much power that it can't handle.

220 BHP is enough on a FWD car, anymore and its a waste IMO. They just need to get lighter, new cars seem to be getting lardier though!!!

I like the way Honda aren't following the sheep in the power stakes, they are staying focused on what a hot hatch is meant to be.

I've known people to buy Focus ST's and get rid of them because they though they drove like buses due to the weight they were carrying around. Its a Ford so its hardly going to be screwed together very well!!!

 

Well it's not surprising really;

The car's got practically the footprint of a MK1 Legend/800, if you sawed off the latter's overhangs!

And both are/were relatively compact for their classes.

Soon we're gonna feel like little kids, walking up to cars!

(But not in a noncy sort of way).

 

At least folks will be able to tell it's a Type R. Unlike VW, who couldn't be bothered to do much to teh GTI to make it stand out. With that In mind I don't mind the styling tbh, but I know it's going to be the size of a bus, and the rear wheel looks "lost", because it's such a tall car. I've never been that keen on the dash, as it looked like a piece of the set from a Star Trek movie........there's just endless buttons.

I'm not surprised about the performance. VW played the same trick with the Golf........more weight, less power. On saying that it will sell by the bucket load.

 

I think I must be wrong, but when the new CTR appeared in all the motorshows the Honda marketing said the main reason for it having the same power was that they managed to lower kerb weight from the last model... obviously complete bollox then

IIRC the Type RR will have 230+ bhp

To conclude, yes, Honda are diluting the Type R badge

Type RR wonder if Vauxhall will do a VXRR