Honda / Honda Type R

The Honda Type R

Overview

The Honda Type R is one of the latest models released by the Japanese Company. It has four different categories each with its own unique model of cars. The R in the name signifies a racing category implying that these cars were built for racing purposes and operate best in racetrack conditions. The setups used to create these conditions were reducing weight and maximizing performance simultaneously to provide maximum speed. The light weight allows the car to glide along faster and become aerodynamically more stable. It also allows the car to be agile as the weight does not hamper the suspension’s capabilities to recover from speed to torque. Performance improvement is made through tuning and tweaking. It is an essential element for cars meant for racing in order to give the car an advantage respective to the conditions of the venue which includes weather. Despite its racing potential, the company has made certain changes to make the car suitable for domestic use as well, thus making it available to a larger market.

The NSX

The first car to feature as the Honda Type R was the NSX model which was released by Japan in the early 90s. It had a loose suspension which made it more aggressive as well as agile and was well suited for generating torque at higher speeds making low speed corners to be taken at a much higher speed. The engine was the famous VTEC engines that gave Japanese cars their edge. The power potential of the engine was combined with the loose suspension to create the ultimate cornering machine. The later models around 2002 featured a net weight of 1270 kg that allowed it to remain in racetracks and compete with higher powered cars.

The Integra

The Honda Integra Type R was a popular model and the first racing model made affordable. It could be used for both domestic purposes as well as racing. It featured a light weight body that was tweaked and customized in its later generations to make it even lighter. The engine was powerful enough, as Japanese engines go, to engage racetrack conditions. The suspension and transmission systems were built for acceleration and did not house a large top speed, although the later models had an impressive score on the top speed section but it was solely delivered by the engine.

The Accord and the Civic

The Honda Type R featured two completely different cars than the previous racetrack models and went on to become one of the most popular racing models as well as a high class domestic sedan. The Accord was a family sedan with four doors along with its tag of being a racing vehicle. It featured a Torsen Limited-Slip-Differential, a stiff suspension, twin cam exhausts and a 220 bhp engine revving at 8000 RPM with a torque of 152 lb-ft at 7000 RPM. The Civic was a more accepted racing model with its trademark light weight and agile suspension. The later models that featured the front wheel drive EG-6 and the EK-9, both of the Type R class, created frenzied desires in the racing scene especially with their B-16A high performance engines that could outclass most FRs which were the staple racing machines.