New Honda Civic Concept to be Unwrapped at Detroit Show, Previews Production Model

What you see pictured above is an official rendering of the Honda Civic Concept, which will be revealed in the flesh at the upcoming 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January 2011. According to the Japanese automaker, the concept is more of a pre-production study that will preview the actual, ninth-generation 2012 Civic, which will go on-sale in North America in spring next year.

The illustration depicts a coupe model with possible styling influences from the European market Civic hatchback (front) and the North American Accord Coupe (profile). Honda did not release any specific details on the car, but we suspect that we'll learn more within the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned.

Honda to Discontinue Civic Type R in Europe, Killed by Tougher Emission Standards

It's the end of the line for the current generation of the Civic Type R in Europe as Honda today announced its wedgy hot hatch will no longer be sold in many areas of the continent from the end of 2010, due to forthcoming Euro V emissions regulations. Production of the Civic Type R for the European market will cease in October 2010, with sales ending during December.

Honda said the decision to axe the Civic Type R across most of Europe has been taken because the car does not currently meet the Euro 5 emission regulations. "The introduction of Euro 5 means the Type R can only be sold up until the end of 2010 in markets where those rules apply," the Japanese maker said in a statement.

Production of the exclusively UK-manufactured 3-door Civic Type R will continue at Honda's factory in Swindon, to supply market where regulations allow it, including Australia and South Africa.

The commemorate the end of its European career, the Japanese firm is planning to bring together fans of its Type R models at a special event at Silverstone this month (22 August).

Honda also announced lower pricing and better finance deals for the remaining Civic Type R models in the UK with the Type R GT now available at £19,495, which represents a saving of £2,230.

The current Civic Type R, which is powered by a high-revving 2.0-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC with 201PS that maxes out at 8,000rpm, made its debut in concept form at the Geneva motor show in 2006 and in production guise at the Paris Auto Show the same year. Since its market introduction in January 2007, Honda has sold over 12,000 examples of this generation model in the UK alone.

The next generation of the Civic is due to make its debut in 2011, with a Type R model expected (but not confirmed)to be in the mix.

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)

Honda to Terminate Civic Type R Sedan

It's the end of the road for Honda's Civic Type R sedan as the Japanese automaker announced it will discontinue production of the car at the end of August, 2010. However, Honda will make amends to fans by continuing to import the three-door Civic Type R Euro hatchback into Japan.

The first-generation of the Civic Type R four-door sedan was launched in 1997 and was produced at Suzuka Factory. The second-generation model followed in 2001 and was produced at Honda's UK plant in Swindon, while for the current, third-generation Civic Type R, which was released in 2007, production returned to the Suzuka Factory.

The current model, which is sold only in Japan, makes use of a high-revving, naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter inline four that puts out 225HP at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 215Nm at 6,100 rpm, with power channeled to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

VIDEO: Introducing the Honda Enthusiasts FF Squad

The folks over from the creative agency BRWUSA have sent over some videos "about a group of Honda enthusiasts" known as the FF Squad. Now before you think, "God, if it's ten minutes, forget it," don't worry. They're short and sweet.

Quality cinematography? Check. Funky music? Check. Real life story about normal people driving normal cars and their passion for them? Big Check.

Do yourself a favor, take three minutes out of your day and watch them; these videos will make you want to go out, buy a beater, build it up, and then go race it (if you haven't already). I'm liking this series in a big way. We can only hope there's more to come. Videos after the jump.

By Phil Alex

Honda to Release Refreshed 2011MY Civic Type R Euro in Japan this Fall

Seeing that the limited edition 2009 Civic Type R Euro hot hatch has been well received in Japan, exceeding sales of 1,850 units since its release in November of last year, Honda has decided to offer its domestic buyers a second run of its hot hatch.

The Japanese automaker said that it will soon reveal a 2010 model year version of the Civic Type R Euro with an "updated exterior design", without getting into any specific details.

As with '09 model, the revised Civic Type R Euro will be produced in Europe at the firm's manufacturing plant in Swindon, UK, with sales in Japan scheduled to start this fall. Once again, the three-door hatchback will be offered in a limited number of units.

The current model year Civic Type R Euro is powered by a rev-happy 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four with 201 HP at 7,800 rpm and 142 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 rpm.

*Photo: 2009 Honda Civic Type R Euro

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.