I was reading the latest Road&Track article on "Honda Factory Performance" written by Sam Mitani who is a senior writer and Japanese correspondent.

Apparently Honda does not yet have plans to import the DC5 Type R but plans to release what they call an RSX FP (i.e. factory performance) instead which should go on sale mid '03.

For ~$4800 USD you will get an RSX Type S with an ungraded suspension/wheel/tire package, slotted brake rotors with upgraded pads, a Type R rear wing, front spoiler and interior trim.

I guess this is old news - I think this package was mentioned earlier - sorry if its a repost.

Mitani notes that it was "one of the best handling front-drive cars I have ever experienced".

So...current USDM Type R owners - hold on to your cars.....they remain exclusive for the moment.

 

Coming? Hell, it isn't even breathing hard.

 

only rsx type r package

 

What are you talking about?

 

And in a few years Honda execs will be lamenting about how the average buyer for Honda/Acura has moved up to 50 years old and that many of their loyal customers moved on. Fools.

 

Heh. For $4,800 they can keep their "FP". It's a factory DC5 Type R or nothin' for me. I won't hold my breath.

 

This will never happen.

Hondas and Acuras are cheap and reliable and that is what makes them popular.

 

Once the new ITR comes, perhaps the heatt on the current ITR will die down a bit.

Heat meaning theft, negative attention etc.

 

I still don't think the DC5R will EVER get here. That was apparent when this "package" was first introduced (announced?).

 

I don't know about that. If the economy keeps sucking wind like it has been...

 

Hondas will always be cheap and reliable.

Cheap is always a relative term.

 

Once sales tank further on the RSX...they will bring it. Just pray it isn't a watered down version.......By then I will probably be driving a WRX STi though.


[Modified by JohnnyBoy, 7:16 PM 2/12/2003]

 

I may have miscommunicated my thought in the first post. When all of the "performance" buyers move on, execs will wonder why. Honda will always do well with their bread and butter stuff but the bread and butter stuff does not exactly excite young folks. If it did all of us would either be driving Corollas, Camrys, or Accords. The current Civic is decidedly less sporting in the eyes of most so you don't really see many people modifying them the way you did with the EK6/9/whatever.

Why do you think Toyota is breaking their necks trying to woo young buyers with Scion? Young=future. Again, Toyota has no trouble selling more than 1 million cars a year with its stodgy image. But even Toyota realizes that they can sell a lot more if they make loyal customers out of the youth.

There's the Mazdaspeed Protege, SRT Neon, Cooper S, WRX, SE-R, RX-8, Evo 8, and STi all out to woo the performance enthusiast. How many of the people buying these cars owned a Honda performance product or would have owned a Honda performance product (if it was offered) I don't know. I do know that Honda has the technology and the expertise to make world class performance cars. They already have some (DC5R) in other countries yet they've chosen to leave us out and further insult us with their 'Factory Performance'. Great strategy. Its good to know that the company you love doesn't love you back.

 

If this is true, I dont see them every bringing the RSX-R over. Why would they have 3 performance version of the RSX all around the same price? Wouldn't make sence.

 

I thought it came down to the new TypeR now being a low emission vehicle (LEV) so Honda won't bring it over?

They produce different packages...like the "Special Edition" integra, and even the SSBP GS-R was a "special" limited run.

As for the low sales, I talked to a rep and he said they've changed pace with the RSX and are keeping the numbers low to make the buyers feel more special (the car isn't a stamp and go civic).

 

Another thing to consider, though, is that even if they did bring the DC5R over, its not like its going to be selling in droves. I suspect it would be limited production (1000-1500) units/yr so it can hardly be the car to win over the "youth". Big deal if you sell 5000 of them over 4-5 years, that is not going to be enough $-wise investment to count on swaying youth over to Honda brand for years to come.

It *will* however attraction attention to the marque, create intrest/press, bring more people into showrooms..a good thing. I imagine RSX-S sales would go up just because joeyoungimportbuyer could not afford the R so he "settled" for RSX/RSX-S.

As a side note, I cant imagine Acura charging $4000+ for the R package over the RSXS the way the FP is. I really like the idea of the FP (factory add-ons with factory warranty) however $4k+ is a little nutty.

 

I personally think this performance package seals the fate of the DC5R ever coming over here. When you think about it, the DC2R was only a few thousand over the GSR... now if they do bring the DC5R over, who would ever buy the performance package (5k) for the RSX over just getting the R model?

 

considering the cost of the cosmetic package, even if it did come, how much would it cost?! for whatever you would be paying for it you would be better off getting an evo or sti or something like that.

 

I think American Honda want to get all the kids or punks out of the Acura Images so they can have a more yuppie style and leave all the kids in Honda. Civic Type R may have more chances to these shores.

 

Personally I haven't seen anything come out of Honda worth the name. I don't care for the RSX's look, the Civic is ok, the Accord is fugly, but I guess there are people who'd buy em. But not me. Besides the looks, there's the fact that they believe they can just put a different suspension in place on the RSX, along w/some body mods & wheels, and that's worth an extra $5k or whatever??? I don't know about anyone else, but I'm thinking I can do my own comparable mods and get better for less. I mean, we're talking a $30k car at that point, and it's not an R. What's that gonna cost - another $5k??? "Forget it" is what I say. Or better yet, grab a Mazdaspeed Protege and go to the track! And when you need a little more, put a real intercooler in place and crank up the boost! (if I was only in the mkt for a new car)

I just don't understand what Honda is thinking? I bought a GS-R then a Type R for all the right reasons. Why am I not a potential customer anymore? How'd they lose me? I just don't get it.



[Modified by Cold Chunker, 10:08 PM 2/12/2003]

 

don't ask how or why i have this, but it's the guts of and e-mail received by an acura employee of unknown name, unknown location, and frankly, unknown existance. take it for what it's worth.

EDIT: forgot to add that the alleged employee stated it would arrive mid-late 03.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

Country of origin Japan

WARRANTY

Warranty - description 3 yr, 100,000km, 3 yr paint, 6 yr corrosion
Warranty - vehicle in years 3
Warranty - vehicle in km 100,000
Warranty - paint in years 3
Warranty - perforation corrosion in years 6
Minor service interval (oil change - km) 10,000
Major service interval (km) 40,000

ENGINE

Engine code K20A2
Engine location Front
Engine orientation Transverse
Engine description Four cylinders, in-line, chain-driven DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing and lift, all alloy, cast-iron cylinder liners.
Configuration In-line
Cylinders 4cyl
Cam drive Chain
Valve train DOHC
Valves per cylinder 4v
Variable valve actuation Timing and lift
Block material Aluminium alloy
Cylinder liners Cast-iron
Sump material Aluminium alloy
Head material Aluminium alloy
Inlet manifold material Aluminium alloy
Capacity (cm3) 1998cm3
Bore & Stroke 86.0x86.0mm
Bore 86.0mm
Stroke 86.0mm
Compression ratio 11.0:1
Maximum power 220hp
Maximum torque 156*
Induction system Electronic port fuel injection
Fuel system type PFI
Fuel type 95 RON PULP (89 octane unleaded or higher)
Fuel tank capacity 50 litres

HOW BIG

Body construction Monocoque
Length (mm) 4400
Width (mm) 1725
Height (mm) 1400
Wheelbase (mm) 2570
Track - front (mm) 1485
Track - rear (mm) 1485
Kerb mass (kg) 1160
Tare mass (kg) 1160
Ground clearance (mm) 112
Seating capacity 4
Head room - front (mm) 960
Head room - second row/rear (mm) 866

SUSPENSION

Suspension/front description Independent, MacPherson struts, fabricated steel lower A-arms, steel sub-frame, coil springs, gas dampers, jointed mount anti-roll bar
Suspension/fr - axle Independent
Suspension/fr - upper link material Pressed steel
Suspension/fr - upper link MacPherson strut
Suspension/fr - lower link material Fabricated steel
Suspension/fr - lower link A-arm
Suspension/fr - frame material Steel
Suspension/fr - suspension mounting Sub-frame
Suspension/fr - spring type Coil
Suspension/fr - damper type Gas
Suspension/fr - stabiliser bar Jointed mount
Suspension/rear description Independent, double wishbones, fabricated steel, lower A-arm, fabricated steel upper I-arm, steel sub-frame, coil springs, gas dampers, jointed mount anti-roll bar
Suspension/rr - axle Independent
Suspension/rr - upper link material Fabricated steel
Suspension/rr - upper link I-arm
Suspension/rr - lower link material Fabricated steel
Suspension/rr - lower link A-arm
Suspension/rr - frame material Steel
Suspension/rr - suspension mounting Sub-frame
Suspension/rr - spring type Coil
Suspension/rr - damper type Gas
Suspension/rr - stabiliser bar Jointed mount
Independent rear suspension (IRS) STD
Sports suspension STD
Gas dampers STD
Limited slip differential STD
Four wheel discs STD

STEERING

Steering description Rack and pinion, power assisted
Steering type Rack and pinion
Steering operation Power assisted
Turning circle - between kerbs (metres) 11.6
Steering ratio 15.1:1
Turns lock to lock 2.53

TRANSMISSION

Transmission description Six speed manual
Transmission type 6 man
Ratio 1 3.266:1
Ratio 2 2.130:1
Ratio 3 1.517:1
Ratio 4 1.212:1
Ratio 5 0.972:1
Ratio 6 0.780:1
Reverse 3.583:1
Final drive ratio 4.764:1
Final drive location Front

WHEELS

Brakes ABS is standard
ABS type Nissin NK8
ABS - number of channels 3
ABS - number of sensors 4
ABS - operation All wheels
Front brake description Ventilated discs
Front - diameter (mm) 300
Front - thickness (mm) 25
Rear brake description Discs
Rear - diameter (mm) 260
Rear - thickness (mm) 9
Parkbrake Centre lever
Rim material Alloy
Front rim description 6.5JJx16
Front rim width 6.5
Front rim contour designation JJ
Front rim diameter 16
Rear rim description 6.5JJx16
Rear rim width 6.5
Rear rim contour designation JJ
Rear rim diameter 16
Tyre brand Bridgestone Potenza RE030
Front tyre description 205/55 R16 89V
Front tyre - width 205
Front tyre - aspect ratio 55
Front tyre - construction Radial
Front tyre - load index 89
Front tyre - speed rating V
Rear tyre description 205/55 R16 89V
Rear tyre - width 205
Rear tyre - aspect ratio 55
Rear tyre - construction Radial
Rear tyre - load index 89
Rear tyre - speed rating V
Spare rim Steel spacesaver
Spare tyre T125/70 D16 96M
Spare tyre brand Bridgestone Tracompa


[Modified by tnord, 3:45 AM 2/13/2003]

 

First of all, I didn't buy a Honda product because it was sporty or particularly high-performance. If I had wanted that I would have bought something that is actually fast, like a Z28.

Second, why should Honda (or any other manufacturer) care how old their customer base is? All they care about is how much money they're willing and able to spend on a car. Hell, young kids buy cheap cars. If I owned a auto manufacturer I'd want to snag the old customers with lots of money, not punk kids.

 

With all this hoopla over the DC5 R that probably will never come here, I often wonder why Honda ever sent the DC2 ITR here in the first place? Considering the low production #'s it's not as if the made a tremendous amount of $ from the sales. Oh well, it was all to my benefit (although the stolen one was to my detriment...)Whatever, it works for me!

 

the dc2 over here did not have an R until nearly 5 years into the body style.
I saw a teal green 94 GSR at the '93 auto show in Orlando and fell in love.
we didnt get a type R until 97 model year or 98 for actual year... so...
Let us not rush Honda... the RSX/dc5 Integra is not even into its 3rd year yet...
I think they will only with less power. I would expect same handling characteristics with of course a 10-15hp soak up in emissions JDM parts for your USDM dc5R y0! if you wouldnt already had spent enough cash as it is...

Personally, I will be keeping my 99GSR as long as it is mine to have. I just cant wait to see a dc5R in person and drive it

 

As far as i am concearned Honda isnt in the running for the best manufacurer in terms of performance minded cars. I am just going to keep loving the Hondas from the past and if Honda comes around again than good and if not then i guess i will have to stick to the classic Honda's. ie: ef, eg, ek, dc2, and the beloved DC2R! Frankly i dont need the dc5r cause i have enough Honda's to keep me smiling for rest of my days.