5th Gear FD2R v FN2R

[aaronng]

Your post is essentially saying 2 things;

1. How can the FN2R be so cheap? Simply put, have you considered that maybe the UK also did a bit of a markup themselves on the CTR to pitch it at a higher market? That being said, maybe it isn't that profitable for Honda AU but they just want to get the indirect benefits such as the marketing of "Look we did bring a Type R", or "Look we have the most outrageous looking hatch on the market" (I know it's subjective).

That being said, the cost of labour and parts in the UK is very high, higher than in Australia. While it is possible with the marketing reasons that you bring up, the business case for car imports even within the company must show a profit. If there is no profit, the Honda UK R&D/Accounts department will always say no.

2. Why won't they bring the FD2R? Many reasons- will the market really want such a hard car? It'll be competing with the likes of Liberty GTs and Mazda6 MPS, as well as the American cars... all of which will offer more power (on a spec sheet) and a more comfortable ride. Then there's also the question of will it steal sales away from the FN2R? Is it wise to confuse the market with TWO Civic Type R's especially when they are both relatively new cars to Australia?

The FD2R at the same price as the FN2R ($40,000) does not go into LGT and MPS territory. And confusing with two Type Rs? One is a sedan and the other is a hatch. It's like people getting confused with a 3MPS and a 6MPS. If the public can differentiate between the sedan Accord Euro and sedan Accord, they can surely differentiate between a "CTR hatch" and "CTR sedan".

IMO the FN2R killed two birds with one stone- Honda's lack of a non-sedan sports car in the sub$50k category (after the Integra was taken out) and it also let them promote the Type R badge. Put it together and they also have exclusivity going for them with purists perceiving the Type R badge as being the epitome of Honda's engineering.

Note: The above comments are my own views and thoughts; and are not intentionally reflective of anyone else's.

There is one more bird that has not/never been killed by Honda Australia. A sedan sports car. Also, purists are smart enough to differentiate between a real Type R and one with just a badge.

Also, my comments are not 100% in disagreement with your views, but they are just me venting my frustration at Honda Australia since they always cite cost as a reason for not bringing in a true Type R (or FD2R) eventhough it's cheaper than the FN2R that they have brought in. If I come across sounding like a *ickhead, please forgive me.