Honda UK marketing bods. Why? Just... Why??
In 2001 Honda introduced the next generation of the Civic Type R as a unique 3-door hatchback to the UK market, which was manufactured in Swindon. The EDM Civic Type R featured a 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) 2.0L i-VTEC engine (K20A2) and the regular Type R treatment of seam welding, close ratio 6-speed transmission and upgraded brakes, but did not include some of the other higher-end features, such as the helical LSD and red Recaro race-seats, that were standard in the previous generation EK9.
I asked a Honda "salesman" why this was many years ago when viewing an S2000. His response was simply "Honda's marketing department carried out focus groups and determined that the target market was that of the Golf GTi and 306 GTi so hardcore racing seats and LSD weren't required".
Who did they ask??? People called Teddy who frequent Wine Bars? Certainly not hardcore Honda owners.
However, there was hope.. Japan to the rescue!
Honda of Japan marketed a JDM version of the EP3 (which was exclusively manufactured in Swindon and then shipped to Japan. Yes, this has gone from the UK, to Japan, to the UK!), which retained the highly renowned helical LSD similar to that of the EK9 and red Recaro race bred bucket seats. Other differences included a more track-oriented chassis/undercarriage settings as compared to the EDM, as well as a 215 PS (158 kW; 212 hp) i-VTEC engine (K20A) had a fully balanced crankshaft assembly with different intake manifold, exhaust manifold, higher-lift camshafts, higher-compression pistons, chrome-moly flywheel and ECU programming.
All of the Japan-spec K20A Type-R powertrain were built in Japan and shipped to the Swindon plant to be installed in the Japan-spec Type-R EP3 (so yes, the engine has gone from Japan to the UK, to Japan, to the UK). The JDM EP3 was also available in the traditional Type R championship white while the EDM was not.
While the average EDM EP3 in the UK has now had 17 owners (most of which were still playing with Power Rangers when the EP3 was first released), clocked over 150k miles and worth about as much as a new washing machine it is only the true Honda enthusiasts that invest in a good import EP3.
After seeing the end result and enjoying the more focused drive.. It is easy to see why..
