A Simple Plan Of Attack For +Ings' CTR
The JDM Civic Type R is a recent addition to our list of cars that we hope will someday find its way to the U.S. But since it seems that any Hondas representing the R family have no chance of standing up to green-friendly hybrids and mod-tastic B-specs due to affordability and overall fuel economy, the only way around that is to take advantage of every opportunity to drive these rarities whenever they are presented to us. On our last visit to Japan, we shot this +ings CTR as a bonus to the STI featured in our May issue (see Quickie) and got the chance to drive it around... the parking lot. It saved time from having to flag down a staff member only to hand motion to them that we wanted to move the car from one spot to another, and they didn't seem to mind anyway.
A Japanese CTR uses a push-start button like the S2000 and DC5 ITR to turn on, and with the 5Zigen titanium exhaust, this sedan purrs with a high pitch like most other Hondas do when they sport high-flowing piping. While we can't comment on this car's handling, it is set up for light road racing with the Zeal coilovers, various 5Zigen suspension parts and brakes from Endless. We can also say with confidence that we dig the aero kit, which +ings managed to flow well to the Type R's original body lines. ings+ also had a hand in designing its own wheels, the TS06 that they've added in an unusual size and offset but are able to pull off decently sized lip for a FF. Otherwise, +ings' CTR is a simple build for simplistic maneuvers. Just the way we like it.
Faster Facts
'07 Honda Civic Type R (FD2)
Owner +ings Japan
Hometown Osaka, Japan
Daily Grind Aero parts manufacturer
under the hood 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC K20A; 5Zigen Proracer engine mounts, brake cylinder stopper, carbon stiffener, race manifold and full titanium muffler; Tracy Sports oil pan
Brains Tracy Sports Limiter Cut
Stiff Stuff Zeal Function X coilovers; Tracy Sports hi-caster pillow front lower arms; 5Zigen inner fender brace
Stoppers Endless 6-pot big brake kit
Rollers 18x9.5 (+40, front)/18x8.5 (+43, rear) +ings TS06 wheels; Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R 255/35R18 and 225/40R18 tires
Outside +ings front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper, hood and Z-Power wing
Inside Bride Zeta III seats; Takata four-point harness WWW www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~tracy-sp (Tracy Sports); 5zigenusa.com;endlessusa.com; ings-net.com (official U.S. +ings site); more-japan.com (Bride); tein.com (Takata)