2011 Honda Civic Type R Euro Launched in Japan, Limited to 1,500 Units

Honda has introduced a new model year version of its British-built Civic Type R Euro in Japan. The 2011MY batch will be the last of this model series to make its way to Japan as production of the current generation three-door Civic Type R has been terminated in Europe because its 2.0-litre VTEC engine does not meet the Euro V emissions regulations.

The Japanese automaker had imported 1,850 examples of the Civic Type R Euro from Britain in late 2009. This time, Honda will bring a total of 1,500 units of the 2011MY version of its high-revving hot hatch. The only changes over the previous model year are the addition of a new Crystal Black Pearl color, some trim updates such as the different finish of the fuel cap and a new numbered plaque.

In Japan, prices for the 2011MY Civic Type R Euro start from 3,000,000 Yen [including consumption tax] or about US$37,200.

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Honda UK Dealers Offer Factory-Backed MUGEN Tuning Bits

Honda fans in Britain can now trick out their cars with original Mugen performance parts backed by a factory-warranty straight from their dealer. The Japanese automaker said that a total of eight Honda dealers across the UK have launched the MUGEN Original Parts Programme offering a range of tuning parts, accessories and merchandise from the company's semi-official tuning partner.

The programme launches with MUGEN parts for the current FN2 Civic Type R, some of which were seen on last year's 240HP Civic Type R MUGEN special.

The initial range of parts includes forged aluminium wheels, performance brake pads, quick shift kits and a sports suspension for the Type R, as well as body styling kits for the standard Civics and a sports exhaust for the CR-Z hybrid coupe.

Honda said that parts requiring fitment by its dealers are covered by a 12 month/ 10,000 mile warranty, while other accessories are covered by a standard manufacturing defects warranty.

The dealers involved in the MUGEN performance parts programme are:

-Avonvale Honda (Midlands)

-Bristol Honda (South West)

-Inchcape Honda (South East)

-Brayley Honda (Home Counties)

-Two Mills Honda (North West)

-Phoenix Honda (Scotland & Borders)

-Ewens of Cornhill (Highlands)

-Donnelly & Taggart (Northern Ireland)

New Honda Civic Type R MUGEN 200: Another Limited Edition Special

In addition to the jam-packed Civic Type R MUGEN with its tweaked 240HP 2.0-liter i-VTEC, of which only 20 units will be sold in the UK at a hefty £38,599 a piece (approximately US$60,300 or €44,400 at today's exchange rates), Honda today announced that it will offer a less hardcore variant of the hot hatch without the performance upgrades.

Aptly named the Civic Type R MUGEN 200, the special edition model is based on the three-door European model and features the same 201-horsepower 2.0-liter high-revving i-VTEC as the standard model.

As its name suggests, only 200 examples of the special Type R models will be made with sales set to start in the UK in April.

So, what makes this variant stand out? Offered exclusively in a Championship White exterior finish, the MUGEN 200 features the same aero parts as the 240HP model, including a new front bumper, side skirts, a huger rear wing and a different rear bumper with an integrated diffuser housing two jumbo-sized tail pipes.

The 19-inch alloy wheels, glossy black door mirrors, Mugen badges, an individually numbered plaque and the standard limited-slip differential complete the MUGEN package.

Honda said that a range of tuning parts to enhance the chassis will also be available as dealer fit options.

More details as well as pricing on the MUGEN 200 will be revealed in March.

VIDEO: Honda Civic Type R Mugen with 240HP Test Drive in Europe

Even though Honda has yet to confirm production of the Mugen prepped Civic Type R as the model still retains its concept title, the Japanese firm shipped the car over to the UK for further development and while they were at it, they gave it to Autocar magazine for a test drive. Matt Prior, the journalist who sat behind the steering wheel of the prototype model notes that Mugen's engineers need to work more on the Civic Type R's chassis and especially the rear suspension to make it competitive with other special hot hatches from Europe like the Renault Megane R26.R.

On the other hand, the Mugen Civic Type R's modified 2.0-liter VTEC engine that has received a 40 horsepower boost producing a total output of 240HP looks nd... sounds quite promising - see in the video how easily the naturally-aspirated four banger hits the rev limiter at 8,500 rpm.

Other upgrades include a new aero kit with a huge rear wing and a high performance brake system while Mugen's team also incorporated a number of weight savings measures such as stripping out the interior of any unnecessary items like the rear seats and using lighter alloy wheels that are shod in sport tires.

For our image gallery on the Civic Type R Mugen, click here and for the promotional video, here.

European Honda Civic Type R Hatch to be Sold in Japan

Following Australia and South Africa, Japan will be the third country outside Europe to receive the British-built Civic Type R 3-door hatchback. The model, which will be called the Civic Type R EURO to distinguish it from the Japanese-market 4-door Civic Type R saloon, will go on sale in Japan from 2010 in limited numbers. The European-spec Type R is powered by a high-revving 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four that makes 201 HP at 7,800 rpm and 142 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 rpm.

The 3-door Type R can accelerate from zero to 62mph (100 km/h) in 6.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 146mph or 235 km/h while returning a combined fuel economy figure of 31mpg UK - that's 25.8 mpg US or 9.1 lt /100km.

Japan also imported the previous-generation Swindon-built Civic Type-R (EP3 model) in 2001.

Honda's decision to import the latest Civic Type R from Europe also suggests that the 240HP Mugen Type R concept, teaser photos of which were released in July, will most likely make it into production.

Honda Civic Type-R Championship White: Special Edition Model with LSD Debuts in Paris

Even though all the spotlights were turned on the new Insight Hybrid (check our mega gallery here), Honda’s Paris Motor Show stand also hosted another interesting premiere that will definitely seize the attention of the brand’s hardcore fans. As the name clearly points out, the limited edition Civic Type R is offered for the first time since the introduction of the latest generation model in 2007, in a white paint finish. But there’s more. -Continued

The Civic Type R’s 200HP 2.0 litre i-VTEC engine is now mated with a Limited Slip Differential that promises to sharpen the car’s handling and driving dynamics. According to the company’s officials, the special edition Civic Type-R Championship White with the LSD managed to shave 1.44 seconds off the standard car’s time around Honda’s test track in Tsukaba, Japan.

As well as the distinctive white paint finish and the LSD, the special edition Civic Type R also sports 18-inch white alloy wheels, a contrasting smoke chrome finish on the badges, door handles, fuel lid and front grille along with an exclusive Type R plaque. Sales are expected to begin in Europe from the end of the year.